Lloyd Knight : The Mover
Lloyd Knight has spent his career in motion — as a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, one of the oldest and most celebrated institutions in American modern dance, now 100 years strong. A Black gay man proudly carrying that legacy forward, Lloyd moves through the world the way he moves through a performance: with intention, presence, and a sharp eye for what he's wearing while doing it. We sat down with him to talk about dressing for a body in motion, a pair of green wool trousers he'll never give up, and what's next — which turns out to be quite a lot.
HOLD - Movement is a huge part of your life - how does that influence how you dress?
LLOYD - Greatly! It really sets the tone of how my day will be set! For example, if I’m in a skinny jean with a boots I notice I will totally carry myself differently. It’s fun!
H - What does a Sunday in New York look like for you when theres no rehearsal and no where to be?
L - A little sleep in, a lot of brunch, a fun meetup with friends and a great movie/dinner to top it off!
H - What's a piece of clothing you've had the longest and why can't you let it go?
L - A pair of beautiful green wool pants I got from a vintage store in Paris in 2017. I love them so much and they always make a splash no matter where I go.
H - What has being a part of Martha Graham Dance Company taught you? What's it like to be a part of that community and a part of the larger queer community?
L - Really it has show taught me the importance of the craft, showing respect to not only the Graham technique but to my body, the stage, and how I relate to the audience. It’s a relationship and you can’t be selfish. The company just turned 100 and I’m proud to be a black gay male in this history but also showing the outside community that it is possible to achieve your dreams.
H - There is always a play between costume and fashion - do you dress yourself for the stage? What are the similarities and differences between dressing for yourself and dressing for the stage?
L - If I’ve choreographed the production I will dress myself. Luckily Martha Graham and her many collaborators like Halston made spectacular costumes so I’m fortunate to wear a lot of those designs. Mostly when dressing for the stage, not only do you want something that of course is beautiful but it has to work for dance, it has to have life to it, the way dance is alive.
H - What's next for Lloyd Knight?
L - The world :) Last year I was able to create a one person show titled “The Drama” so I would love to tour and perform it as much as possible. I just got into NYU Steinhardt for Arts Administration so I’m looking forward to studying and learning skills to learn an arts organization in the future. In general I’m in love with performing and moving and choreographing so I will always stay open to those opportunities.
