THE HUNT

The thrill of the chase has never been more intense than in former Artistic Director Robert Battle’s dance for six men.

The Hunt is a primal ritual with a distinctly urban feel fueled by a thundering percussion soundtrack by Les Tambours du Bronx. Perhaps Battle’s most popular work, it explores the relationship between modern sports and the rites of the gladiators.

Battle found inspiration for the work in his background in martial arts, replicating the intensity and combative stances. Costumed in long black skirts with under layers of red, four men throw themselves into the movement, reveling in the thrill of the hunt. It’s a work that challenges the physical limits and the emotional stamina of even the famously indomitable Ailey men. "At times Robert [Battle] gave us images of being in a rave club, letting loose and going wild and not caring about technique or form—just throwing out energy,” explained Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. “A lot of times it feels like you’re in a fight, or you're fighting to get through."

Echoing the praise voiced by critics and audiences around the world, The Seattle Times raved that "to see it unfold is to drift between a visceral attraction to the pounding, progressing movements and the awareness of a choreographic vision so inventive it becomes like a seventh onstage presence."