ARTHUR AVILES

"...one of the great modern dancers of the last 15 years." - Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times

"Arthur Aviles has developed an individual voice and style that might be compared to bold street theater and poster art, communicating his truths about life as seen by a gay male Puerto Rican through simple narratives that are always colorful and often poignant and amusing." - Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times

Arthur Aviles, an award-winning New York-Rican dancer/choreographer, was born in Queens and raised in Long Island and the South Bronx. He studied theatre with Peter Vercillo and Edward M. Fourrey. His physical training included swimming, diving, wrestling and gymnastics. He received his B.A. from Bard College where he studied dance with Lenore Latimer, Jean Churchill, Albert Reid and Aileen Passloff.

In 1987, Mr. Aviles became a member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and toured internationally with the company for eight years. Aviles was honored with a New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Award for his outstanding creative achievement during the Jones/Zane seasons in 1988 and 1989. He also received an Arts and Letters Award from his alma mater in 1995, a BRIO (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) in 2000 and a NYFA (New York Foundation for the Arts) Fellowship in 2003 and a Tanne Foundation award in 2004. In 2008 he received the Creative Artist Image Award from NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson and the Mayor's Award for Art and Culture.

Mr. Aviles founded Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre (AATT) in 1996. The company had its debut in Paris, France with MAÉVA AND THE FLOATING MAN. Mr. Aviles moved the company to the Bronx, and premiered ARTURELLA at Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in November of 1996.

His company has performed at Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Jacob's Pillow, Dance Theater Workshop, Central Park Summerstage, Symphony Space, Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College, Queens Theatre in the Park, Celebrate Brooklyn, and several other venues in NY, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Connecticut.

Aviles has been awarded dance residencies and led workshops at Oberlin College, Arizona State University, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Rhode Island College, University of Texas at Austin, SUNY C.W. Post, SUNY Purchase, University of Michigan and Prodanza Italia in Tuscany.

In addition to his work in the South Bronx, Aviles is the choreographer for Paris-based theatrical company, Faim de Siecle, and has performed with them in France and in the U.S. at the Kitchen and most recently at the Asia Society.

In December 1998, he inaugurated a new performance space in the American Banknote Building, a warehouse in the Hunts Points section of the Bronx. His company is the centerpiece of BAAD! - The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. BAAD! received a 2006 Union Square Arts Award.

In 2002, AATT founded The Bronx Dance Coalition which strengthens and supports professional dancers and dance companies based in the Bronx, and produces the Bronx Dance Magazine.

bronxacademyofartsanddance.org

www.arthuravilestypicaltheatre.org