About the Company
The mission of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history and features the rich tapestry of Black and Queer stories. The work, informed by and made in conjunction with artists across a range of disciplines, entwines a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on music, text, video, and visual art. While grounded in choreographer Kyle Abraham’s artistic vision, A.I.M draws inspiration from a multitude of sources and movement styles.
“As an artist born in the late 1970s, I’ve experienced a change in society that brings me hope. My choreography is a reflection of that hope, but also lives in the reality of my experiences and the cultural work that still needs to be done.”—Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
Core Values
A.I.M believes in:
the power of dance as an art form and A.I.M’s distinctive, ardent voice within contemporary dance
an artistic process informed by robust conversations with people from diverse perspectives
the pursuit of excellence through ethical leadership and through
accountability to each other, the field at large, and the audiences we serve
supporting and nurturing dancers with living wages, health insurance and career development
operating with integrity throughout all aspects of the organization
People
Catherine Kirk cultivated a passion for the arts growing up on the unceded land of the Kiickaapoi and Wichita peoples, known as Dallas, Texas. She continued her research and education at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a BFA, and moved on to perform works by an array of choreographers including Sharon Eyal, Ohad Naharin, Bebe Miller, Doug Varone, Andrea Miller, and Fernando Melo. A multi-hyphenate, Kirk is also a dance maker, marketing strategist, arts administrator, dance educator, and yoga teacher. She has had the pleasure of working with Helen Simoneau Danse, Kyle Marshall Choreography, Jasmine Hearn, UNA Productions (Chuck Wilt), Burr Johnson, and apprenticing for Sidra Bell Dance New York. She's created solo works as an artist in residence at Art Cake Brooklyn (2020) and Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation (2021) and curated an evening for Chez Bushwick’s salon series, RECESS (2023). Kirk has been featured in Netflix’s award-winning series, ‘Halston’, in the Showtime series, Ziwe, and in Neiman Marcus’ Holiday Campaign. She has graced the cover of Kaleidoscope Magazine, Flaunt Magazine, and Dance Magazine alongside A.I.M dancers, and choreographed and starred in a commercial for the luxury headphones, Ultimate Ears. She has assisted Kyle Abraham in his new creations for Coddarts Rotterdam and The Juilliard School, and restaged company works at Peabody University and Point Park University. She currently is in her second season with Trisha Brown Dance Company and is working as A.I.M’s Marketing Associate while dancing and touring with the company. Kirk joined A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in 2013.
Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
(he/him)
Jamaal Bowman, Dancer
(he/him)
Amari Frazier, Dancer
(he/him)
Mykiah Goree, Dancer
(he/him)
Tamisha A. Guy, Dancer
(she/her)
Faith Joy Mondesire, Dancer
(she/her)
Jae Neal, Dancer
(they/them)
William Okajima, Dancer
(he/him)
Donovan Reed, Dancer
(they/them)
Keturah Stephen, Dancer
(she/her)
Gianna Theodore, Dancer
(she/her)
Olivia Wang, Dancer
(she/her)
Staff
Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director
Sydnie Liggett-Dennis, Executive Director
Jessica Tong, Rehearsal Director
Vernon Scott, Producing Director
Anne Dechêne, General Manager
Bridget Caston, Interim Company Manager
Amber Lee Parker, Company Manager
Meredith Belis, Production Stage Manager
Matthew Baker, Artistic Engagement Manager
Dan Stearns, Lighting Supervisor
Alexander Diaz, Marketing Manager
Chris Constable, Press Agent
Izzi Wayner, Interim Director of Development
Danielle LeBron, Development Associate
Lucy Mallett, Financial Services
A.I.M Board
Intensives
Intensives
Dance with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham! We’re excited to announce our 2024 Winter Intensive, December 16–20, 2024, at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance! Join us for a week of classes, repertory, conversation, and the opportunity to learn alongside A.I.M Company Members.
A.I.M’s 2024 Winter Intensive is free to all participants to ensure accessibility to our community. Participants are selected by application, and capacity is limited. Recommended for aspiring and professional dancers.
Please contact education@aimbykyleabraham.org with any questions.
The application, which includes submitting a short movement sample and personal artistic statement, is open now through Sunday, October 27th at 11pm ET. The movement sample should be no longer than 60 seconds in length, unedited, of yourself with no other dancers pictured. The movement should be your own choreography, or an improvisation. The video should not be a dance reel. Video samples should be material you feel best showcases your artistry as a dancer. Participant capacity is limited and we are only accepting responses for a limited time, so be sure to send yours in! All applicants will be notified of their acceptance via email by the week of November 1st.
Click link to APPLY TODAY!
Location
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
849 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Sample Schedule*
All classes are taught by A.I.M company members unless otherwise specified in participant welcome materials.
*Subject to change.
10a–10:30a: arrival, studio available for warm-up
10:30a–12p: Technique Class
12:15p–1:30p: A.I.M Movement Workshop
1:30p–2:30p: Lunch Break (lunch conversations with A.I.M Company Members will take place on select days)
2:30p–5:30p: A.I.M Repertory All applicants are expected to be available for the entire duration of the intensive. Scheduling breakdowns are subject to change within the time allotted.
Contact
For domestic and international booking information, contact:
Sophie Myrtil-McCourty, President
Lotus Arts Management
72-11 Austin Street, #371
Forest Hills, NY 11375
+1 347 721 8724
sophie@lotusartsmgmt.com
For general inquiries, please email info@aimbykyleabraham.org or call 914 996 7444.
For audition inquiries, please send a resume, a photo and a short video of yourself to matthew@aimbykyleabraham.org.
For questions about volunteer opportunities or creative partnerships, please contact info@aimbykyleabraham.org or 212 691 6500 ext. 311.
Website design: Neil Donnelly & Cat Wentworth
Website development: Henry Van Dusen