The Moving Story of African-American Dance
Setting the Stage
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Gem Theater – 1615 E 18th Street
Free Public Performance general seating first come first served (doors open 6:30 PM)
Setting the Stage
is a unique multi-media program that combines live dance performances with pictures, and narration starting with the Middle Passage. Created, directed, and choreographed by KCFAA’s Chief Artistic Officer Tyrone Aiken, Setting the Stage is an exciting visual journey through African American dance history. Setting the Stage is performed by talented local and national artists and provides insights into the history and legacies of African American pioneers in minstrels, jazz dance, ballet, Afro-Caribbean – including Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey.
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey celebrates diversity year-round. But, this month, KCFAA is celebrating Black History Month by honoring African American legacies and visionaries in the world of dance with a special presentation of Setting the Stage.
A Walk With Mom” Dancer: Nia Towe – Setting the Stage 20th Anniversary Performance The GEM Theater 22 Feb 2018. Photo, copyright 2018 Mike Strong
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey is celebrating Black History with a limited number of Setting the Stage performances at schools. Contact programs@kcfaa.org or call (816) 471-6003 ext. 0 to schedule a performance.
School Performances:
An interactive walk through African American dance history that takes place during Black History Month. Students learn about historically important dancers and choreographers, including Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey. This multi-media program combines live performance with narrated slide presentations.
Location: Limited time on-line performance access code
Dates: February 23 – 27, 2026
Grades: Kindergarten through twelfth
Fee: $700 per Lecture/Demonstration
Length: Up to 60 minutes
MISSOURI LEARNING STANDARDS
FINE ARTS AREA: DA-Dance
STRANDS: Cr = Create; Pr = Perform (Dance, Music, Theatre); Re = Respond; Cn = Connect
KCFAA program study guides available to further facilitate learning goals
DA:Cr1A Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Enduring Understanding/Concept: Choreographers use a variety of sources as inspiration and transform concepts and ideas into movement for artistic expression.
Essential Question/Process: Where do choreographers get ideas for dances?
DA:Pr4A Select, Analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Enduring Understanding/Concept: Space, time, and energy are basic elements of dance.
Essential Question/Process: How do dancers work with space, time and energy to communicate artistic expression?
DA:Re9A Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Enduring Understanding/Concept: Criteria for evaluating dance varies across genres, styles, and cultures.
Essential Question/Process: What criteria are used to evaluate dance?
DA:Cn10A Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Enduring Understanding/Concept: As dance is experienced, all personal experiences, knowledge, and contexts are integrated and synthesized to interpret meaning.
Essential Question/Process: How does dance deepen our understanding of ourselves, other knowledge, and events around us?
DA:Cn11A Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Enduring Understanding/Concept: Dance literacy includes deep knowledge and perspectives about societal, cultural, historical, and community contexts.
Essential Question/Process: How does knowing about societal, cultural, historical and community experiences expand dance literacy?
Created, Directed, and Choreographed by Tyrone Aiken
