Donald McKayle describes dance as "movement that lights the soul." In a career that's spanned 60 years, the five-time Tony Award nominated choreographer has crafted the steps for modern dance, Broadway musicals, film and television.
By Laura Spencer
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Kansas City, MO – Donald McKayle has also been recognized as a Master of African American Choreography at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and named one of America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures by the Dance Heritage Coalition.
Over the past year, McKayle has been delving into the history of Kansas City Jazz to create a new work for the Kansas City Ballet called Hey-Hay, Going to Kansas City. The one-act ballet features seven sections with names like 12th Street Rag, Starvation Blues, and Jumpin' at the Woodside named for musical compositions; it walks an audience through different dance steps and decades of jazz. KCUR's Laura Spencer talked to McKayle recently before rehearsals about the new work and his long career in dance.
Donald McKayle speaks Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 6:30 at the Central branch of the Kansas City Public Library, in downtown Kansas City. The work, Hey-Hay, Going to Kansas City premieres in February as part of the Kansas City Ballet's Winter Program.
