Alonzo King LINES Ballet performs in Beaver Creek Sunday

Choreographer Alonzo King does more than alter the way people view ballet; he considers his work as “thought structures.” Sunday, Alonzo King LINES Ballet presents “Deep River,” a soulful piece King hopes will help audiences see human beings “as the pinnacle of creation.”

“(It’s a reminder that) love is the ocean that we rose from, swim in and will one day return to,” he said, emphasizing how love can set us free.

King has collaborated with distinguished visual artists, musicians and composers worldwide, including Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and Kennedy Center artistic director for jazz Jason Moran, whom he collaborated with to create “Deep River.”

The piece premiered at LINES Ballet’s 40^th anniversary celebration in 2022. It blends dance with spiritual music from Black, Jewish and Indian traditions.

LINES Ballet explores affinities between the Western and Eastern classic forms, as well as the natural world, elemental materials and the human spirit. Its choreography adheres to a classic linear form in terms of mathematical and geometrical principles deeply rooted in both Western and Eastern society, yet King delivers his works with unique and powerful artistry.

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The name “LINES” refers to the fact that lines are intrinsic to every form.

“Whatever can be seen is formed by a line. In mathematics, it is a straight or curved continuous extent of length without breadth. Lines are in our fingerprints, the shapes of our bodies, constellations, geometry. It implies genealogical connection, progeny and spoken work. It marks the starting point and a finish. It addresses direction, communication and design. A line of thought,” he said, adding that “dance is thought made visible.”

He uses the power of “infinite” artistic investigation to unite human beings in joy, empathy and the ability to transcend.

“My parents were willing to die for what they believed in,” King said. “Their commitment to truth was my tuning fork. What you speak you must live, or else do not speak it. That became my template for how to both behave and create in the world.”

And that’s how he runs his San Francisco-based company, which also includes training and summer programs for the community.

“What’s happening in dance training is that the human being is being transformed. People look at it visually and think, ‘oh, they’re looking at the body,’ but actually they’re working on the mind and the heart. When you have a form where you try to embody an idea so clearly that you disappear, it’s liberating,” he said.

While Alonzo King Ballet debuted at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018, this is the first time audiences can see the company perform during the winter. It also kicks off the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s winter Dance Series, which includes MOMIX: Alice on Jan. 28 and BODYTRAFFIC: Bolero by Fernando Hernando Magadan on March 22.

“Alonzo King LINES Ballet is a national treasure, and it is tremendously exciting that their work, which has thrilled our summer audiences, now comes to Beaver Creek as part of the VPAC winter dance series,” said Damian Woetzel, artistic director of the Vail Dance Festival. “I urge everyone to come see ‘Deep River,’ a journey of dance and music by visionary choreographer Alonzo King that will transport you, and I look forward to seeing you there.”

VPAC executive director Cameron Morgan helped present Alonzo King LINES Ballet during the 2018 Vail Dance Festival and said it was one of the most “impactful and moving opportunities” he has ever had in his career.

“Beyond just how gracious and lovely the LINES artists are as people, the expressiveness and expansive movement that those artists possess is unparalleled, and they evoke such an emotional connection between their artistry and their audiences,” he said. “I am thrilled to host LINES on the VPAC stage this winter as the kick-off to our winter dance series.”