Analysis Of `` Bill T. Jones, Matthew Bourne, And Axis Are...

Arthur Mitchell, Bill T. Jones, Matthew Bourne, and AXIS are monumental choreographers/companies whose work serves as a way for culture to express themselves. Arthur Mitchell, born in Harlem in 1934, began the Dance Theatre of Harlem which provided opportunities for African-American dancers. Bill T. Jones, who struggled with his position as an African-American man, a gay man, and an HIV positive man, used dance to face these issues head on. Matthew Bourne reinvented classic performances to become modern retellings. AXIS, a company that began in Oakland, California in 1987, choreographs pieces for dancers with and without disabilities. These artists challenge our preconceived ideas about dance by taking on the issues of civil rights,†¦show more content†¦Arthur Mitchell had a policy that his company would not turn down anyone for any reason. He did not care if they did not have talent, Mitchell only cared about their desire to dance. Furthermore, Mitchell broke down bo undaries in dance by: †¦battl[ing] the sissy stigma attached to male ballet dancers by consciously not using the word â€Å"ballet† in the name of his organization. He relaxed the ballet dress code, so that instead of wearing tights, boys could attend class in cutoffs or jeans. Their classes, too, were less traditional†¦ (Hawley). Arthur Mitchell challenges preconceived ideas about dance by meddling with traditional dance ideas. Mitchell also inspired the community to take pride in themselves. He fought for those less fortunate so they would have equal opportunities. He gave African-Americans a chance in the dance world. Bill T. Jones was born in 1952 in upstate New York. He met Arnie Zane, who became not only a dance partner, but a life partner to him as well. Together, these two created the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982. In 1988, Arnie Zane passed away due to AIDS and this is when Bill T. Jones discovered he was HIV positive. Not only was he HIV positive, but he struggled with being stereotyped as a gay man and an African-American man. These issues caused Jones to use dance as an escape goat and created some of