Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance Kyle Abraham | Photo by Cheryl Mann

On June 3, Kyle Abraham – the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance – was honored with the prestigious title of Best Modern Choreography by The Critics’ Circle UK. This National Dance Award was for his outstanding work Are You in Your Feelings? for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

The National Dance Awards, presented annually in the United Kingdom, recognize excellence in the realm of professional dance. Since 2000, these awards have stood the test of time to regard and represent Britain’s flourishing culture of dance.

This year, a total of 311 companies, choreographers, performers, and other creative artists received nominations. A circle of 60 esteemed dance writers and critics collaborated to create a shortlist from these selections. Alongside Abraham, those nominated were Drew McOnie, Kristen McNally, Crystal Pite/Simon McBurney, and Pam Tanowitz.

Since joining USC Kaufman as an endowed professor in the fall of 2021, Abraham has been instrumental in shaping the school’s artistry and education. He is a renowned 2013 MacArthur Fellow and 2018 Princess Grace Award recipient, who serves as the founding artistic director of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. He has developed and showcased his commissioned work at New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

On June 3, 2024, The Critics’ Circle hosted the National Dance Awards at The Coronet Theatre in London.