In 2018, after Gianna Theodore noticed A.I.M by Kyle Abraham carry out at The Joyce Theater, every part snapped into perspective. “I known as my mother and stated, ‘I’ve to bop for this firm,’ ” she remembers. A.I.M held an open audition that yr, and Theodore, who was a junior­ within the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program on the time, made it by way of many rounds of cuts, however after a dialog with firm founder Kyle Abraham, they each determined that the timing wasn’t fairly proper. The 2 saved in contact, and through Theodore’s senior yr of faculty, she requested Abraham if he wanted any understudies. As destiny would have it, the timing was good—Abraham invited Theodore to study an element in his work An Untitled Love and, lower than per week later, prolonged an invite to affix the corporate part-time.

Theodore has been dancing with A.I.M ever since, bringing groundedness, fluidity, spontaneity, and precision. She’s additionally a presence elsewhere within the New York Metropolis dance world, educating newbie home at Ailey Extension and deeply immersed in the home scene. Such a full plate may sound overwhelming, however it’s by design. “Dance brings me pleasure, a lot in order that it may be onerous to resolve which path I wish to go down,” Theodore says. “However the one factor I do know is that I wish to proceed to seek out newness in as many elements of this artwork type as doable.”

New York or Nowhere

“There isn’t a place like NYC. I like the road type scene—it’s so uncooked and exquisite. I attend many dance battles, together with Battle 101, which is run by my good friend Huu Rock. It’s a newbie battle, so that you’re capable of watch dancers develop over time as they proceed to take part, which is actually inspiring. Battle occasions are a complete occasion. Everybody’s dancing between every spherical, and the love of dance is palpable.”

A Eureka Second

“In 2020, Kyle [Abraham] set the solo ‘Little Lady Blue’ on me, a part of the full-length work If We Had been a Love Tune. It was one in every of my favourite moments. I cherished performing one thing so true to Kyle’s artwork type, but in addition so true to me. I used to be capable of finding my voice and painting very actual emotion. The method allowed me to analyze the position and work out what I wished folks to really feel whereas I used to be dancing.”

Pupil and Instructor

“Once I’m educating, I typically say that I don’t really feel prepared to show simply but—I really feel like I’m nonetheless in the beginning of my dance profession! I started educating as a result of I’m actually obsessed with home dance and educating helps develop on that. I typically educate for A.I.M, too. I study a lot concerning the dancers by way of educating. I simply love dance a lot, so to transmit my love on this academic means is each difficult and fulfilling.”