Celebrating Legends: Robert Battle and Ruth Page

 

 

 

By Judy Carmack Bross

 

 

Although a century separated Ruth Page’s debut on the Chicago stage and the awarding of a prize in her honor here recently to Robert Battle, Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the two mythic choreographers have their revolutionary creativity in common.

Born in Indianapolis in 1899, Ruth Page danced for forty years with companies headed by diverse legends including Anna Pavlova, Irving Berlin, and Sergei Diaghilev and continued choreographing hundreds of dances for her own company and others until her death in 1991 at the age of 92.  Personally chosen by the former Ailey dancer and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, Robert Battle has not only created many ballets, he also instituted the New Directions Choreography Lab to develop the next generation of choreographers.

 

“This is my kind of town” was Battle’s lead into his thank you remarks, then spoke of how Alvin Ailey and Ruth Page complemented each other with their dedication, their drive, their creativity and ability to be trendsetters.

 

Since 1986, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts has presented the award to further an organization or individual’s artistic momentum.  Venetia Stifler, executive and artistic director of the Center, presented the award to Battle and Chicago Dance History Project and its Artistic and Executive Director Jenai Cutcher, before the sold-out performance of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50^th anniversary of performing at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.  It was also a celebration of the company’s 50^th anniversary.

 

The Chicago Dance History Project, and its Executive Director Jenai Cutcher were also honored.

 

Photos by  Anthony Robert La Penna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by  Anthony Robert La Penna