Donald Mc Kayle - Early Choreography

Early Choreography

McKayle's early works explores the universal human condition and reflect themes of unity and community through expressive and emotional movement.

At age 18 McKayle premiered his solo piece, Saturday's Child (1948), choreographed to the poetry of Countee Cullen. This piece depicted the reality of poverty and the suffering of the homeless. According to McKayle's autobiography, he was inducted into the Committee for the Negro in the Arts due to the repeated performance and high visibility of this piece. This organization was composed of Harlem Renaissance leaders like Langston Hughes, up and coming African American artists and performers such as Harry Belafonte. The Committee dedicated to changing the prejudices and widespread racism that made it difficult for African Americans in the performing arts industry.

The American dance classic, Games (1951) was McKayle's first major work responsible for launching his dance career. McKayle combines rhythms, chants, play songs and street games to create a childhood scene dedicated solely to playtime. Inspired by childhood memories, Games explores themes of poverty and discrimination in shaping the lives and attitudes of the youth.

Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1959) is also considered a masterwork that incorporates Africanist movement, rhythms, and music. Prisoners of a chain gang move powerfully across the stage creating an expressive narrative through abstract movements of physical labor. McKayle alludes to African American dreams of freedom and equality through this image of bondage and slavery. The racial injustice and violence of the piece concludes as a chain gang member is shot and killed.