AILEY II
Vilar Performing Arts Center
VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
“The work explores themes of isolation, community and solidarity. At one point, the whole cast lined up and performed a sequence of rhythmic pedestrian gestures. It seemed they were just humans, like us. But then they broke off into solos and dance-offs and we were reminded of their otherworldly talents. There was pain there, yes, but also so much joy.” The Observer
Following her sold-out performance at last year’s Festival, acclaimed tap dancer Michelle Dorrance returns to the Vilar Performing Arts Center with The Center Will Not Hold, a new production created by Dorrance and Ephrat Asherie. The evening-length show features a collective of singular
performers deeply rooted in many street, club, social, and vernacular dances and features original music composed by Donovan Dorrance, performed live by extraordinary drummer and percussionist John Angeles.
Generously Underwritten by Sara Friedle & Michael Towler, additional support provided by the Marvin Naiman and Margery Goldman Family Foundation.
Casting and repertory are subject to change.
Photo credit: Michelle Dorrance and John Angeles perform at New York City Center during the 2024 Fall For Dance. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
Ticketing
MORE TICKETING INFORMATION:
- We are offering a number of ticket packages and offerings this year. Click HERE to view.
- Ticket prices are subject to change.
- Price of tickets does not include service fees.
Questions? Contact the Box Office at [email protected] or call 970.845.TIXS(8497)
Doors open one hour prior to showtime.
Meet the Performers
Ephrat Asherie
Ephrat Asherie (Co-Director/Performer) Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie is a NYC based b-girl, dancer, and choreographer and a 2016 Bessie Award Winner for Innovative Achievement in Dance. Asherie received Dance Magazine's Inaugural Harkness Promise Award in 2018 and in 2017 she received a...
Michelle Dorrance
Michelle Dorrance (Co-Director/Performer) is a lifelong tap dancer and long-time Festival Artist, whose innovative works have graced Vail’s stages to great acclaim. Her full bio is available for viewing online at the Vail Dance Festival website: vaildance.org
Donnetta “Lil Bit” Jackson
Donnetta “Lil Bit” Jackson (Performer) is a versatile dance performer, instructor, choreographer, and actress. Born and raised on the Southeast Side of Chicago, IL, she began dancing at The Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre at the age of 7....
Donovan Dorrance
Donovan Dorrance (Composer) hails from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he trained as a multi-instrumentalist. After earning a Bachelor's Degree at UNC, he moved to Brooklyn to work with Dorrance Dance, his sister’s dance company, later becoming music director and...
Fritzlyn Hector
Fritzlyn Hector (Performer) Bessie Award-winning director, choreogra- pher, dancer, educator, actress, and performing artist with a dynamic 25-year career. A veteran performer and cast trainer for STOMP, she was the rehearsal director for its international tour in France. in 2023,...
Eriko Jimbo
Eriko Jimbo (Swing) is a Tokyo born NYC based performing artist, educa- tor, creative, and collaborator. Ranging from contemporary, hip hop, partnering, house, martial arts, aerial arts, sway pole, to acting, physical theater, and Taiko. Her credits include performing for...
John Angeles
John Angeles (Performer) is from Fort Worth, TX. John obtained a music degree from TCU, where he focused on Drumset, Marimba and Marching percussion. He was a member of the 2001 DCI World Champions, The Cavaliers. From 2007-2017, John performed...
Matthew “Megawatt” West
Matthew “Megawatt” West (Performer) started dancing at the age of 16 in Queens, New York. Growing up, his fascination with animals was undeniable and directly influenced his smooth, fluid, and animal-like movement style. Although the majority of Mega Watts' training...
Manon Bal
Manon Bal(Dance Captain/Performer) is a versatile professional dancer from Marseille, France. She has trained at the IFPRO Rick Odums in Paris and at the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. She has been a member of Ephrat Asherie Dance...
Michael Manson
Michael Manson Jr. (Performer) is a dancer, choreographer and educator, specializing in the form of Detroit Jit, the city’s most iconic dance style. He has been a featured dancer on the television program “So You Think You Can Dance”, and...
Zakhele “Bboy Swazi” Grabowski
Zakhele “Bboy Swazi” Grabowski (Performer) is a performing and competi- tive Tap dancer and Breaker. He has toured with Dorrance Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement Street Theatre, and with the musical review, We Move In Color. In 2024 he won first...
Ron Myles
Ron Myles (Performer) admits that he has always been one looking to “shine in front of a camera.” Born and raised in the city of Memphis TN. As a kid Myles developed a passion for music. Influencers such as his...
Tomoe “Beasty” Carr
Tomoe “Beasty” Carr (Performer) Born in New York, Tomoe spent a decade of her upbringing in Japan. She commenced her dance training at Next Generation Dance Studios in Japan and is the first graduate of KiNEXtionSTM from NXGN Studios Japan....
Community Arts Access
To learn more about attending a performance through our Community Arts Access program or providing support to eliminate socioeconomic barriers to the arts, please contact Martha Brassel ([email protected])