American Dance Stars Work with Young South African Dancers in Project to Honor Black History Month

U.S. State Department Media Note

World-renowned choreographer Cleo Parker Robinson of Denver, Colorado, arrived in Pretoria, South Africa, today to prepare South African dancers for a performance of the American contemporary dance piece Dry Each Other's Tears in the Stillness of the Night. Parker Robinson joins Marceline Freeman, an original member and principal of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble who has taught dance around the world. Freeman traveled to South Africa on January 22 as an American Ccultural Sspecialist, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in honor of Black History Month.

Freeman is conducting workshops and master classes in selected South African dance schools. As the culmination of her project, she and Parker Robinson will prepare dancers of the dance company Technikon Pretoria for a performance for a local audience that will include the U.S. Ambassador and government officials.

"Cultural exchanges not only highlight the creativity and dynamism of American society and the strength that diversity brings to our nation, they also reflect America's respect for the achievements of other cultures," said Patricia S. Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. "Marline Freeman and Cleo Parker Robinson will showcase to young South Africans the great contributions made by Black American dancers and choreographers. This project is people-to-people diplomacy at work and it is an investment in the future and security of both nations."

Parker Robinson has taught college-level dance since the age of 15 and started her own company when she graduated from college. She was appointed to the National Endowment for the Arts Council in 1998 and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts in 1999. Dry Each Other's Tears in the Stillness of the Night is based on actual life stories of Parker Robinson's father. Choreographed by David Rouss��e, Vvice Cchair and Pprofessor of Cchoreography at UCLA, the work tells the uniquely African-American story of her family and a neighbor as they sought acceptance and compassion in what was then a hostile America.

Freeman and Parker Robinson return from South Africa on February 12. To arrange interviews, please contact Mary Hart, 303-295-1759, at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, or Catherine Stearns, 202-203-5107 / [email protected], at the Department of State.