Afrofuturist Firebird Soars with Caribbean Soul

Dance Theater of Harlem is presenting its "Firebird" ballet, a signature work first choreographed by John Taras in 1982. This production notably transplants the Russian tale to a lush Caribbean landscape, a vision brought to life by the late artist Geoffrey Holder.

Geoffrey Holder, a Trinidadian-American artist, infused the ballet with vibrant colors and heat, drawing inspiration from 19th-century landscape painting. His son, Léo Holder, and dancer Carmen de Lavallade have overseen the reconstruction of the original scenic and costume designs.

Artistic director Robert Garland characterizes Holder's "Firebird" designs as early Afrofuturism, highlighting how the company took a Russian story and "Geoffrey Holderized" it with a Caribbean setting.

The company's current season, starting April 16, features "Firebird" prominently. This marks the ballet's return after more than 20 years, following a hiatus in 2004 due to financial difficulties. The revival symbolizes Dance Theater of Harlem's steady growth since resuming performances in 2013.

To meet the demands of the production, Dance Theater of Harlem, now with 28 dancers, collaborated with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Student dancers from the school filled corps de ballet roles, providing professional experience and aiding the ballet's comeback.

"Firebird" holds a special significance for Dance Theater of Harlem, establishing its unique identity within the ballet world. It demonstrated the company's ability to be "rooted in who we are and be ballet with a capital B."

The ballet's origins trace back to founder Arthur Mitchell, who, at George Balanchine's suggestion, chose "Firebird" as a potential hit for the company. Balanchine recommended Taras as choreographer, emphasizing a mythological, rather than purely Russian, interpretation.

Current "Firebird" Alexandra Hutchinson trained with Balanchine ballerina Violette Verdy and aims to embody the "otherworldly creature" described by Charmaine Hunter, who coached the original Firebird, Stephanie Dabney. Hutchinson felt a profound connection to the role during its Paris revival in February, aiming to "be a bird" rather than just "the prettiest thing."