Constance Stamatiou radiates the identical heat and power that earned her the nickname “Sunshine” amongst her friends on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. A principal dancer with the corporate since 2007, Stamatiou opened up about her relationship with the late Judith Jamison, the legendary inventive director who formed not simply her profession, however her way of living and artwork. In an intimate dialog with Rolling Out, Stamatiou shares how Jamison’s steering remodeled her from a younger dancer from Charlotte, North Carolina, into one of many firm’s most compelling performers.
[Editor’s note: This is a truncated transcription of a longer video interview. Please see the video for the extended version. Some errors may occur.]
You wrote on Instagram that Jamison invested time in you, trusted you, and guided you. Are you able to unpack that relationship for us?
Miss Jamison was phenomenal at placing motion into perspective. She would put issues into perspective in the case of motion that you simply wouldn’t take into consideration. She was actually good with carrying on Mr. Ailey’s legacy. It was actually necessary for her to showcase dancers, present that we’re human beings, present our legacy, our life experiences via our motion. She would at all times say, “You’re in a glass bubble, you’re permitting the viewers to go on a journey with you.”
I’ll always remember my first efficiency in London in 2007. She employed this younger 21-year-old on the time, and I feel I used to be nonetheless a little bit starstruck as a result of I’m in an organization with wonderful dancers and with Judith Jamison as my boss. She was like, “You’re right here, you’ve made it. Now what are you going to do?” She was at all times good with making you push ahead. Like her quote says, in the event you don’t push your self to the wall, then what’s the purpose? What are you right here for? What are you ready for? If you happen to’re not higher than you had been yesterday, then what’s the purpose?
You talked about her saying ‘take it to the wall.’ What had been a few of these classes she imparted to you as a dancer?
She positively was all about self-discipline. You come into the studio realizing your price. There was no, I need assistance to relearn one thing. When you discovered it, it was as much as you to take care of that. She helped information you with notes for the ballet. So long as you introduced your true self, that was most necessary for her. She actually believes that as a dancer, you’re the extension of the music. If the music cuts off, they need to be capable to hear and see the music via your physique. Simply to see her transfer her arms, these lengthy arms was simply breathtaking. And simply so full of knowledge and life and love.
Let’s discuss performing in entrance of her on the TED speak. You had been the one dancer on stage performing B3. How nerve-wracking was that have?
Oh, completely. For one, the truth that she trusts me to do that solo, I’ve no alternative however to offer my all. The minute I heard the information of her passing, I really went again and watched that video. As scared as I used to be, that is when it’s important to name in your ancestors and name on people who did it earlier than you and be like, look, I want your energy. I need assistance to get me via this, to remain calm. I appeared again at that video, and simply to see her watching me with a smile on her face, that’s the best present. It touched my soul.
That second when she eliminated her scarf, gave you that heat hug, after which offered you to the viewers once more…
As a result of I used to be attempting to get her to go down and bow. I used to be like, that is Ms. Jamison. And he or she stated, “mm-mm, you.” Simply selfless. Simply wow.
What has watching and being developed beneath Ms. Jamison carried out for you as a mentor? How do you are taking these items she poured into you and pour them into the subsequent technology of dancers?
I simply attempt to do my greatest to return selfless, to return humbly, and to smile. That’s why they name me Sunshine. I really feel prefer it adjustments the ambiance, places you comfortable. As a result of what we do isn’t straightforward, and we’re at all times on the go. I attempt to assist even my co-workers, particularly the brand new ones who might not have an understanding of “Revelations,” who might not have grown up in a Baptist church.
It’s necessary to connect with these ballets, these southern roots, these blood recollections of Mr. Ailey. You’re fanning, it’s a scorching summer time day. It is a Sunday. Everyone is dressed of their most interesting. They’re in church, able to reward the Lord. Ms. Jamison was very specific concerning the make-up, your lashes, and don’t have your kitchen protruding within the again. You bought to flick it, okay?
How do you fire up that present that she planted in you?
For one, it begins with connection. If I’m centered, warmed, and prepared, and have my mindset and vulnerability, then I do know it’s going to unfold the way in which she desires. Once I first discovered “Cry” from Ms. Jamison, it was a three-person “Cry.” Being in my 20s, I didn’t actually have plenty of life expertise. Now I’m a mom of two, and a long time later, it grew to become extra private as a result of I’ve skilled a lot.
This dance is so therapeutic, in the event you permit it to be. As Ms. Jamison would say, I need to see that flooring on fireplace—not crimson scorching, however blue scorching. She desires it electrical. She would typically say too, she didn’t need to see robots. It didn’t matter about what number of turns you might do or how excessive your leg can go. It’s about the way you make the folks really feel.
What ought to we keep in mind most about Judith Jamison and her legacy?
Effectively, I’d say, job nicely carried out, boss, as a result of Mr. Ailey, when he handed and stated, please take over the corporate, she did simply that and past for 25 years. We’re essentially the most touring firm on this planet. She bought us this stunning, as we’d say, glass palace, most likely one of the vital stunning dance areas on this planet.
She continued to maintain Mr. Ailey’s legacy alive. She would make it very identified that it wasn’t about her. She was only a one-of-a-kind gem. I don’t assume we’ll ever see anybody like Ms. Jamison. I’m simply so lucky that I set to work beneath her. She will probably be terribly missed. However she is unquestionably celebrated in love, and will her spirit proceed to reside in all of us.