Alonzo King has an angular approach to choreography

By: JOEL D. AMOS - For the North County Times | Wednesday, September 27, 2006 11:21 AM PDT ∞

Reflecting the passion of a geometry professor, choreographer Alonzo King has an uncanny appreciation for lines and how their combinations create shapes out of the human form. King's dance company, Lines Ballet, has incorporated this simple yet universal shape into its 23-year history. Next for the innovative troupe is a new dance piece that will have its world premiere Saturday at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

This debut, the San Francisco-based King says, is a culmination of a lifetime of diverse experiences. King has an admirer in his collaborator for Saturday's concert, Indian singer Rita Sahai.

"He is so inspiring," Sahai said. After first working together a decade ago, Sahai said she has now created and is performing the score for King's latest ballet. "I am so excited to work with him again."

A graduate of the American Ballet Theater School, King also trained with Alvin Ailey and has created works for dance companies across the world, most recently the Swedish Royal Ballet to interpret the work of George Friedrich Handel. His diverse instruction introduced him to a dance tradition that played a part in his life work.

"I saw Russian dance and that magnificence of geometry; it was very different," King said.

Founded in 1982, the company's moniker, Lines, arose from its founder's bare-bones view of the surrounding world and how it relates to humans careening through their existences.

"I think the principal expression of life is movement, so when we look at the physical world, everything is lines," King said. "From terrain, architecture, to people's bodies and the shape of their eyes, it is all lines, whether straight lines or a circle. Whether it's an arc, perpendicular, at 45 degrees or straight, horizontal and the vertical, it is all symbology."

The Grammy-nominated Sahai's native music is not only a thrilling artistic influence for King, but personally, he is a little star-struck by her. "She is an amazing woman to be around," he said. He appreciates her effortless artistic communication, an impeccable trait in a singer, King says. "She is just so high-tuned. She is always present, there is no confusion. I love being in her presence. She has made beautiful music for us."

King's work is in high demand ---- from choreographing Patrick Swayze to crafting works for the dance world's best. Dancers from the Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey and the Hong Kong Ballet all have King's choreography on their resume.

"When you work with different people you are looking for an understanding and to discover artistic sympathy," King said. His global work across cultures and artistic genres has spawned priceless insight. "What I have learned is to be more receptive, to be more patient and to listen better."

Sahai rarely delves beyond her Indian musical landscape. However, when called by Lines Ballet, she could stretch artistically.

"With Alonzo, I have a challenge," she admits.

King's creativity forces her to stay true to her roots while still matching his company's artistic presence.

"To provide what he needs, I must leave my own personality and embrace it at the same time."

King compares the creative process to a scene repeated frequently across Quaker cultures.

"All those people get together. They leave their places and occupations and go to help someone build a house," he said. "It is all about creating this world as opposed to what they're getting from it. We are going to build something together. That becomes the North Star we work towards. Everything else becomes minimal."

As a young child he became compelled to dance from observing people's movements.

"There is an age when you listen to people's vibration rather than what is coming out of their mouth. I remember being around adults and noticing how they held their bodies and moved. What they did with their bodies seemed more truthful," King said.

Owner of numerous awards, he treasures most working with the people who bring his vision to life.

"I admire dancers tremendously. For them, it is about thoughtless generosity and ceaseless giving," King said. "They are ceaselessly trying to refine and they're obsessed with accuracy. The possibility of actually becoming a living idea and having it occupy you is big stuff."

After two decades of living a dream, King can occasionally have the luxury of reflection.

"When I'm able to get my head a little above the workload, I am very grateful. This is the choice I've made. We have done a lot of good work all over the world," he said.

Reflective of his selfless dancers, King quickly deflects praise. "I can honestly say I do not do this alone. I have people from costumers to business people to dancers who have given their life to this. We are all building that house together."

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.