Name: Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Address: One Penn Plaza, New York, NY, 10119
Telephone: 212-841-9500

Repertoire 2016 / 2017

Ballad Unto

a large-scale, sweeping, full company, neoclassical work set en pointe to the music of Bach

Strum

a work for 14 dancers set to the music of the iconic metal band Metallica

Debut of the company's Imprint Series

honoring Dr. Maya Angelou and performed by Co Artistic Director, iconic dance figure Desmond Richardson

World Premiere of Cryin' to Cry Out

Rhoden's work inspired by the haunting and extraordinary voice of jazz singer Jimmy Scott

World Premiere (Nov. 2015) of Chronicle is a full-company work

Act 1's wandering narrative is wrought with non-sequential storylines, characters, and images of life's complexities, and the challengers society is facing

Act 2 Is a New Production of 2009's Signature Work

Mercy, which serves as an answer, reaction, elegy or lament to the turmoil of contemporary living

Rock Steady (Jan. 2016)

an evening dedicated to the iconic sounds of U2. The Rolling Stones and Metallica

Opening Performance Dates

Philadelphia - The Prince Theater | October 14Th - 18Th

On a program consisting of three premieres. Complexions continues to lead the way with its unprecedented approach to contemporary ballet. For its series in Philadelphia, the company will present STRUM, a world premiers set to the famous songs of Metallica; BALLAD UNTO, a work about unrequited love set to Johann Sebastian Bach's Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, and Partita #2 - Chaconne; and CRYIN' TO CRY OUT, an excerpt inspired by the legendary voice and lyrics of famed jazz singer Jimmy Scott. In addition to these new works the company will also include various pieces from the company's 20- year history, including INNERVISIONS, a suite featuring the music of Stevie Wonder

New York City - The Joyce Theater | Nov. 17Th - 29Th

Complexions makes it "sensationally, jaw-droppingly clear that we live in the age of the super dancer, at a time when technical virtuosity is being redefined as an expressive state" (Dance Magazine). Under the artistic direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions continues to lead the way with its unprecedented approach to contemporary ballet. For its Joyce season, the company performs the world premiere of an evening-length work by Rhoden - a provocative romance exploring dark desires, beauty, dominance, obsession and control, all set to an eclectic musical mash-up ranging from Tchaikovsky and bebop to rap and trance. Also on tap: a world premiere set to Metallica; a work about unrequited love set to Bach; and the debut of the company's Icon Series, honoring Maya Angelou and featuring a performance iconic dance figure Desmond Richardson

Atlanta - Infinite Energy Center | December 30Th

Complexions makes it "sensationally, jaw-droppingly clear that we live in the age of the super dancer, at a time when technical virtuosity is being redefined as an expressive state" (Dance Magazine). Under the artistic direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions continues to lead the way with its unprecedented approach to contemporary ballet. For its Gwinnett Inaugural Season, the company performs a world premiere set to Bach; and the debut of the company's Icon Series, honoring Maya Angelou and featuring a performances also include various work from the span of the company's 20-year history, including a suite to the music of Stevie Wonder

Dancers

Terk Waters

Terk Waters began his training at the age of 17 with Tony Calucci at the Dance Extension in Columbus, OH. He received his B.F.A. in dance from Western Michigan University where he performed in works by Antony Tudor, Frank Chaves and Ron DeJesus, among others. In addition, Terk has trained with The City Ballet of San Diego and River North Chicago Dance Company. Terk previously danced with the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble. Mr. Waters joined Complexions in 2010.

Ashley Mayeux

Ashley Mayeux was born and raised in Houston, Texas where she attended the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts. After high school she went on to receive her BFA with honors in the dance conservatory at Suny Purchase College in May 2012. She has also trained with Dance Theatre of Harlem's Professional Training Program. In May 2012 she toured with cast of the Broadway show Aida. Ashley is now happy to be joining the 2012/13′ season with Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Youngsil Kim

YoungSil Kim was Born in Okayama City, Japan. She began her ballet training at Sugimoto Sonoko Ballet with Sonoko Sugimoto and Svetlana Assaouliak. At age 18, Youngsil moved to NYC to study dance at the Joffrey Ballet School and later at Ellison Ballet professional training program, where she graduated in 2008. She has danced with Configuration Dance Theatre, Eglevsky Ballet, Connecticut Ballet Company, Ballet Hispanico II and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. She has had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers including Susan Jaffe, Sidra Bell, Enzo Celli, Igal Peri, Jiri kylian, William Forsythe and Dwight Rhoden. She has studied summers at Walnut Hill, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Springboard Montreal and Complexions. Ms.Kim Joined Complexions in 2013.

Dough Baum

Doug Baum began his dance training in Maryland at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts before graduating from the Baltimore School for the Arts in 2006. In 2010, Baum received his BFA from Fordham University in collaboration with The Ailey School, where he apprenticed with Ailey II for two years. Baum has participated in programs such as Springboard Danse, NDT Maximum Dance Course, Jacob's Pillow, and the Fire Island Dance Festival before joining his first professional company. Since graduating, Baum has toured internationally with Rasta Thomas Bad Boys of Dance, Compagnie Flak, and Les Ballets Jazz. Baum has completed three seasons with Zhukov Dance Theater in addition to guesting with Jose Mateo, Ezdanza, Thang Dao, Company XIV, Peridance, and iLuminate as seen on America's Got Talent. Baum joined Complexions in 2014.

Addison Ector

Addison Ector began his dance training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy at age 13. After high school, he was accepted into the scholarship program at The Ailey School where he was the recipient of the Alvin Ailey Scholarship after 3 years. He also attended the Jacob's Pillow Contemporary Program in 2012 & performed with Germaul Barnes/Viewsic Expressions Dance he then went on to apprentice with Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Mr. Ector pristine, elegant refined sculptural lines have caught the attention of many photographers wanting to photograph his lithe physic. Mr. Addison Joined Complexions in 2013.

Andrew Brader

Andrew Brader was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, and trained at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, The Harid Conservatory, and the Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. He was invited to join ABT as an apprentice dancing with the company at The Metropolitan Opera House and then joined the Houston Ballet. Andrew danced with the Los Angeles Ballet for four seasons performing principal roles in Balanchine's Agon, The Four Temperaments, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Serenade, Kammermusik No.2, Lar Lubovitch's The Evangelist, Bournonville's Napoli Pas de Six, and original works by Josie Walsh, Sonya Tayeh, Olivier Wevers, and Melissa Barak's Scrying presented as the first dance installation performed at NYC's Museum of Modern Art. Brader was a 2009 Lester Horton Award nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Performance and spent two seasons with BalletMet Columbus before joining Städtische Theater Chemnitz as a soloist in Chemnitz, Germany. Brader joined Complexions in 2014.

Shanna Irwin

Shanna Irwin grew up in Landing, NJ. Throughout high school, she trained and performed with Generations of Dance, as well as The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, under the direction of Nancy Turano. She spent summers at The Vancouver Arts Umbrella, Complexions, and World Dance Movement, Italy. In April 2014, Irwin began touring with Complexions before receiving her BFA in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in May 2014. Irwin joined Complexions in 2014.

Tim Stickney

Tim Stickney began dancing at the age of three at a variety of schools in upstate NY, NC, and MA, most notably The Gold School under the direction of Rennie Gold. He graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program in 2014 and while there, performed in both Memoria and Revelations with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at New York's City Center. He has performed in the work of Dwight Rhoden, Alvin Ailey, Francesca Harper, Ronald K. Brown, Karole Armitage, and Bob Fosse, among others. Stickney joined Complexions in 2014.

Greg Blackmon

Greg Blackmon began his formal dance training during his last two years as a vocal music major at Emerson School for the Visual and Performing arts. During his time there he trained at Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and upon graduating attended The Ailey School's summer intensive where he was later offered a fellowship for the fall semester. After a few semesters at Ailey, he was awarded a scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem where he was an apprentice for the DTH Ensemble. Greg went on to dance with Opus Dance Theater, Inc., Dance!Iquail, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, DanceWorks Chicago, Collage Dance Theatre, Owen/Cox Dance Company, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and now he's so excited to be joining the CCB family.

Nehemiah Spencer

Nehemiah Spencer is a native of Cleveland, Oh. There he attended the Cleveland School of the Arts, where he discovered his love for dance. As a recent graduate of The Juilliard School, Nehemiah has been privileged to performing works by Dwight Rhoden, Robert Battle, George Fasion, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Paul Taylor, and Kyle Abraham just to name a few. This is Nehemiah's first season with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and he's very excited for the journey!

Larissa Gerszke

Larissa Gerszke (Ontario, Canada) began her formal dance training at Canterbury Arts High School in Ottawa, ON. She has attended summer programs at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Canada's Ballet Jörgen, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet and has performed works by Matthew Rushing, Taryn Russell, Alvin Ailey, Bob Fosse, and Carmen Rozestraten. Ms. Gerszke is currently a senior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. This is her first season with Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Jillian Davis

Jillian Davis (Kutztown PA) began dancing in her hometown at the age of 3. With the encouragement of mentors Janie Ross-Morgan and Kip Martin Ms.davis focused on ballet and wanting to become a professional dancer. She studied extensively with Susan Jaffe and Risa Kaplowitz at the Princeton Dance and Theater Studio in Princeton, NJ. Ms davis has been afforded the opportunity to study at the San Franciso Ballet School, School Of American, Pacific Northwest Ballet. In 2013, Jillian started jillian Davis Dance Project, where she continues to create new work. Jillian Joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet 2014.

Kelly Marsh IV

Kelly Marsh IV is a recent graduate of the University North carolina School of the Arts with a BFA degree in Dance, concentration in Ballet. Mr.Marsh IV started dancing at the age of 14. He took his studies in dance further by being a scholarship recipient at COCA then was accepted into the Alvin Ailey School as a fellowship student. he has been accepted to numerous summer programs such as Perry Mansfield, The Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, Richmond Ballet, American Ballet Theater collegiate program, Cedar lake's CL 360 and The dance Theater of Harlem, continuing his training in ballet but also many different dance disciplines. Mr.Marsh has had the opportunity to perform work by many established choreographers such as William Forsythe, Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham, Eliot Feld, Ethan Stiefel, Susan Jaffe and Darrell Grand Moultrie. Mr. Marsh joined Complexions in 2013

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Season