| ABOUT |
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 "…stirring…performing with strength and fluidity …" (The Washington Post) Helanius J. Wilkins had a vision for sharing his appreciation of dance as a form of expression for men, to bring an eclectic group of artists to work together on common ground to explore identity and masculinity. The goal of this creative venture is to break down stereotypes about men, specifically from African-American perspectives. It is appropriately named EDGEWORKS Dance Theater (EDT), and was born in 2001. The birth of EDGEWORKS DANCE THEATER generated an enormous amount of excitement, enthusiasm, and support, and was featured in January 2002’s Dance Spirit Magazine. EDT debuted June 23, 2001 at Dance Place, Washington, DC ’s premier modern dance venue, and was immediately followed by a premiere full evening-length concert commissioned by the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the Millennium Stage, to packed audiences and critical acclaim. As early as summer 2001, EDT began touring and has since performed throughout the United States, including in Arizona, Pennsylvania, New York, and in Massachusetts at Jacobs’ Pillow Dance Festival. In 2005, the company made its international debut in Vilnius, Lithuania with the premiere of a groundbreaking site-specific multimedia, cross-cultural collaborative project three years in the making. According to Lietuvos rytas [Lithuanian Morning], “the artists gave an expression-full performance.” In 2007, EDT received four stars for their performances in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Described as "an emotional and moving experience" (The Washington Afro-American), the company’s diverse repertory features the work of Artistic Director and award-winning choreographer Helanius J. Wilkins, and works by internationally recognized choreographers Earl Mosley, Kevin Wynn, Troy Powell, and Robert Moses. While encompassing physical extremes, EDT’s body of performance work is both dynamic and diverse. While subtly and not-so-subtly pushing boundaries, it simultaneously challenges and affirms societal perceptions of male identity, revealing strength and vulnerability. EDGEWORKS Dance Theater is a unique all-male company with a growing dynamic presence in American concert dance. |