Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, a Dance Company: Walking Out the Dark

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, New York, EVIDENCE, A Dance Company focuses on the seamless integration of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Through work, Evidence provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies, and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of traditional African forms and rhythms. He is an advocate for the growth of the African American dance community and is instrumental in encouraging young dancers to choreograph and to develop careers in dance.

Brown’s choreography is in high demand. He has set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco, and others. He choreographed Regina Taylor’s award-winning play Crowns and won an AUDELCO Award for his work on that production.

Inspired by Brown’s first trip to Cuba, Walking Out the Dark is a seminal quartet, a danced conversation between mother, daughter, sister, father, lover, friend performed to the music of Sweet Honey in the Rock and Francisco Mora, and Upside Down, set to the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Evidence now tours to some 25 communities in the United States and abroad. The company has traveled to Cuba, Brazil, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa and Canada to perform, teach master classes and conduct lecture/demonstrations for individuals of all ages.