Kyle Abraham has created works for many dance artists and companies, among them a solo titled “Ash” for Misty Copland, former principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. On Saturday, December 13, 2025 A.I.M by Kyle Abraham will return to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center with Abraham’s “The Gettin’” and “Dearest Home” plus the West Coast premiere of award-winning dancer, educator, and choreographer Jermaine Spivey’s “In the act of undoing”, co-commissioned by the Carpenter Center. Tickets start at $38.75 and are sale at carpenterarts.org.
This will be A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s fifth appearance at the Carpenter Center and since 2021 Abraham has also been the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance at USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Jermaine Spivey has performed with Ballet Gulbenkian, the Cullberg Ballet, Crystal Pite’s company and appeared as guest artist with several other dance companies. He joined the faculty of USC Kaufman as an Artist in Residence in 2018.
A.I.M by Kyle by Abraham in Requiem – Photo by Luis Luque, Luque Photography
The evening’s repertoire consists of:
“In the act of undoing” (2025)
Co-commissioned by the Carpenter Center, this work by dancer and choreographer Jermaine Spivey calls for constant collaboration among dancers as they explore the unity and diversity of movement that emerge when we remain on task.
“The Gettin’” (2014)
Created as one of three repertory works during Kyle Abraham’s tenure as Resident Commissioned Artist at New York Live Arts from 2012–2014, “The Gettin’” is a work for six dancers set to music by Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Robert Glasper and his trio, who reimagined Max Roach’s We Insist! Freedom Now Suite.
“Dearest Home” (2017), excerpt
Kyle Abraham’s intimate dance work focuses on love, longing, and loss, and is a love letter to relationships, a meditation on memories, and ultimately, a source of healing.
The breathtaking dance company, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, will perform for one night only so buy your tickets early.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham – Keturah Stephen and Kar’mel Antonyo Wade Small in “5 Minute Dance (You Drivin’?)” – Photo by Christopher Duggan
Event Details
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
When: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 at 8 p.m. / Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at 6200 E. Atherton St. Long Beach, CA 90815
Tickets start at $38.75, available at carpenterarts.org.
Attendance and Parking Information: We advise patrons to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page at www.carpenterarts.org/faqs before any performance for the most up-to-date attendance information.
Convenient parking is available directly in front of the Carpenter Center in lot G12. All parking lots on campus, including lot G12, are operated by CSULB’s Parking and Transportation Services, which sets all parking fees. The Carpenter Center does not earn any portion of the collected fees. Parking fees this season remain at $10 after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and $10 all day on weekends. Additional parking information is available at www.carpenterarts.org/parking.
To learn more about the Carpenter Performance Center in Long Beach, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham dancer Gianna Theodore – Photo by Tatiana Wills.
