IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing Joshua Bodden and Whitney Huell, African American members of the Kansas City Ballet Company, for their contributions to performing arts.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21549, February 19, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Venessa Huskey, Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee, Sean E. Smith, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Black History Month celebrates the contributions of African Americans to various realms of cultural expression, including the arts; and,
WHEREAS, the theme of this year's Black History Month, "African Americans and the Arts," serves to highlight the influence that African Americans have wielded in shaping the landscape of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, cuisine, and other forms of cultural expression; and,
WHEREAS, within the realm of performing arts, Joshua Bodden and Whitney Huell stand as shining examples of African American excellence and artistry, elevating the Kansas City Ballet Company through their remarkable talents, dedication, and accomplishments; and,
WHEREAS, Joshua Bodden embarked on his ballet journey at the age of 10 at the prestigious Miami City Ballet School at the direction of Edward and Linda Villella, refining his skills at The Harid Conservatory and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's year-round program on a full scholarship, and honing his craft through summer intensives at the School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and North Carolina School of the Arts; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Bodden's career has seen him grace the stages of renowned companies such as Miami City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem's Ensemble, and Cincinnati Ballet, where he earned the distinction of being the first African American male to perform the role of a ballet boy in Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room," before joining the Kansas City Ballet in 201...
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