Auditorium Theatre 2018-19 Issue 3 Alvin Ailey

an endowment to support major program areas. When the Company celebrated its 50 th anniversary in 2008, Mr. Rink supervised an 18-month celebration, including events, promotions, collaborations, and special performances, bringing public awareness of the Ailey organization to new heights. Mr. Rink also oversaw “The Next Step Campaign,” which grew the organization’s endowment to $50 million. As Executive Director, Mr. Rink launched a five-year strategic plan in 2014 to realize Robert Battle’s creative vision, expand Ailey’s educational offerings, and enhance technology to extend the reach of the organization. Central to the plan has been the expansion of The JoanWeill Center for Dance, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year. In the fall of 2017,Ailey unveiled the Center’s Elaine Wynn and Family Education Wing, providing much needed additional studios and classroom space to meet the growing demand for Ailey’s programs. The building now comprises 87,000 square feet and is the largest destination for dance in New York City. Mr. Rink also conceived The Campaign for Ailey’s Future, a $50 million initiative to support the Center’s expansion and the ongoing implementation of other long-range strategic priorities. During Mr. Rink’s tenure, the Company deepened its presence in NewYork City by establishing a spring season at Lincoln Center to complement its New York City Center winter season, while also extending its role as America’s “Cultural Ambassador to the World” with tours to Africa, Europe, and South America. In order to reach audiences beyond live performances, the Company has broadened its commitment to creating film and digital content, including its first-ever theatrical movie release as part of Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance . Mr. Rink is a graduate of Syracuse University and holds a BFA in theatre. MATTHEW RUSHING, REHEARSAL DIRECTOR AND GUEST ARTIST MatthewRushing was born in LosAngeles, CA. He began his dance training with Kashmir Blake in Inglewood, CA, and later continued his training at the LosAngeles County High School for theArts. He is the recipient of a SpotlightAward and a Dance MagazineAward and was named a Presidential Scholar in theArts. He was a scholarship student at TheAiley School and later became a member of Ailey II. During his career, Mr. Rushing performed as a guest artist for galas in Vail, CO as well as in Austria, Canada, France, Italy, and Russia. He has performed for Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as at the 2010 White House Dance Series. During his time with the Company, he has choreographed three ballets: Acceptance in Surrender (2005), a collaboration with Hope Boykin and Abdur- Rahim Jackson; Uptown (2009), a tribute to the HarlemRenaissance; and ODETTA (2014), a celebration of “the queen ofAmerican folkmusic.” In 2012, he created Moan , which was set on Philadanco and premiered at The Joyce Theater. Mr. Rushing joined the Company in 1992 and became rehearsal director in June 2010. WHO'S WHO IN THE COMPANY RICCARDO BATTAGLIA (Pescara, Italy) began dancing at the age of 8 at Scuola D’Arte New Step in his hometown. He is a three-time winner of the “Expressions” competition held in Florence as part of the Danzainfiera event and won the Tip Tap Show competition in Rome. At 19, Mr. Battaglia moved to the United States and trained at The Ailey School as a scholarshipstudent.Hehasworkedwithchoreographers including Danielle Agami, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Kevin O’Day, Jennifer Archibald, Kate Skarpetowska, Manuel Vignoulle, and Ryan Heffington. Mr. Battaglia has been a member of Elisa Monte Dance, Ailey II, and Visceral Dance Chicago and performed with Lydia Johnson Dance, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, CelloPointe, and Jennifer Muller/The Works. He has danced in the 2015 #ENDHIV New York Gala, Moncler’s 2016 NYFashionWeek, and Kenzo x H&M Fashion Show and was featured in commercials for Quaker Oatmeal and Swarovski. Mr. Battaglia was on faculty at the Ailey Extension in NewYork, the Joffrey Ballet School in Chicago, and has taught in several dance studios around the United States and Italy. HOPE BOYKIN (Durham, NC) is a three-time recipient of the American Dance Festival’s Young Tuition Scholarship. She attended Howard University and, while in Washington, DC, performed with Lloyd Whitmore’s New World Dance Company. Ms. Boykin was a student and intern at The Ailey School. She was assistant to the late Talley Beatty and an original member of Complexions. Ms. Boykin was a member of Philadanco and received a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie). She has choreographed three works for the Company: Acceptance In Surrender (2005), in collaboration with fellow Ailey company members Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Matthew Rushing; Go in Grace (2008), for the Company’s 50 th anniversary season with music by the award-winning singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock; and r-Evolution, Dream. (2016), inspired by the speeches and sermons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with original music by Ali Jackson. Most recently, Ms. Boykin was selected as a 2018-19 Urban Bush Women Choreographic Center Fellowship Candidate. Ms. Boykin joined the Company in 2000. Find Ms. Boykin on Twitter and Instagram @hbdance and @HopeBoykinDance on Facebook. JEROBOAM BOZEMAN (Brooklyn, NY) began his dance training under Ruth Sistaire at the Ronald