LIFTED LIFTED RENNIE HARRIS Sat, Aug 24, 2 pm Fri, Aug 23, 7:30 pm Program Notes Theater Edlis Neeson
MUSEUM OF SUMMER 2019 CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO FROM THE CURATOR Celebrate In the gospel of Rennie Harris, “Movement is how we worship life. It always has been.” That worship comes in many forms—like the interconnected histories of house and gospel black music—which shape how people socialize, learn, and find acceptance together. Or by sharing in the work and artistry of making a performance come to life onstage. Rennie creativity is building up a cross-country community, including Chicago performers like Angel Anderson, Jeremy Taylor, and singers from MOSAIC Soul. And this week they rehearsed with music and broke bread with artists and the generous congregation at historic black Catholic church St. Benedict the African, and connected with students through the Illinois Department and of Juvenile Justice. All the while, they shared the creative forms, the uniquely remixed story, and the celebratory vibes of Rennie’s vision. dance that LIFTED continues our series of August per- formances that speak to and about Chicago, transform familiar music and dance, and alter our expectations of the experiences black transform performance can create. All four artists’ works are along different stages of development—some sharing ideas for the first time, some well- seasoned after touring the country, like Rennie’s. expecta– The breadth of how black artists make per- formance is integral to how we all support art that conscientiously engages with this city’s tions. artists, histories, and ideas. Tara Aisha Willis
Cover, clockwise from left: Rennie Harris, LIFTED. Photo: Nikki Carrara; Dahlak Brathwaite, Try/Step/Trip. Photo: Associate Curator, Performance & Public Practice Joan Osato; still from video of Ben LaMar Gay at Trans Musicales de Rennes 2018. Courtesy of the artist. SUPPORT FOR NEW WORKS INITIATIVE Rennie Harris ABOUT THE WORK Lead support for the LIFTED MCA New Works Initiative is provided by Elizabeth A. Liebman. The running time for LIFTED is 90 minutes with ACT ONE one intermission. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SCENE 1 GOD’S HOUSE SUPPORT FOR THIS MCA PROJECT ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Choreographer, Director, Lorenzo Rennie Harris Deep gratitude to Music “Praise Him” by Raphael Xavier Yolanda Cesta Cursach and Writer for her early support of this New Works Initiative project and Lighting Designer Bob Steineck Dancers Katia Cruz, Joshua Culbreath, Phillip her curatorial work to Cuttino, Tatiana Desardouin, Richard bring it to fruition. Musical Composer Raphael Xavier and Special thanks to Father Darrin M. Ross Evans, Mai Lê Hô Johnson, Emily Jones and the entire congregation of St. Pietruszka, Joshua Polk, Andrew Ramsey, Benedict the African Set Designer Ben Levine for the warm welcome; Yuko Tanaka, and Marcus Tucker to Phillip Armstrong and Mosaic Soul for Carpenter David Knepper your open eagerness; and to Michael Byrd of Vocals Local Choir the Illinois Youth Projections and Visual Designer David Dowling Center Chicago and Heidi Mueller of the Illinois Department of Company Manager Rodney Hill ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Juvenile Justice. SCENE 2: TESTIMONY Choir Director Joshua Sommerville Touring Choir Alonzo Chadwick, Phinizea Chadwick, Music “Turn My Life Around” by Darrin Ross Trenelle Doyle, and Simone Jordan Dancers Katia Cruz, Joshua Culbreath, Local Choir Vocalists from St. Benedict the African Catholic Church and MOSAIC Soul, led Phillip Cuttino, Tatiana Desardouin, by Phillip Armstrong Richard Evans, Mai Lê Hô Johnson, Emily Pietruszka, Joshua Polk, Narrator and Poet Wadud Ahmad Andrew Ramsey, and Marcus Tucker ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PLAYERS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SCENE 3 GET DOWN Joshua Joshua Culbreath Rev CJ Carl Robinson Jr. Aunt Tah-tah Tatiana Desardouin Music “Dance Sucka,” edited and mixed Uncle Jip Phillip Cuttino Jr. by Darrin Ross Big Poppa Rodney Mason Ushers and Homies THE HOODLOCKERS Dancers Joshua Culbreath, Richard Evans, ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Joshua Polk, Andrew Ramsey, and DANCERS Marcus Tucker Rennie Harris Katia Cruz, Joshua Culbreath, Phillip Puremovement American Cuttino Jr., Puremovement Tatiana ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Street Dance Theater Desardouin, Mai Lê Hô Johnson, and SCENE 4 DOUBT & DOLO (RHPM) Emily Pietruszka; and Associate Dancers Shira Math and Yuko Tanaka Music “I Need You Now” by Smokie Norful THE HOODLOCKERS Richard Evans; Associate Dancers Joshua Polk, Andrew Ramsey, and Marcus Tucker Dancer Joshua Culbreath Also featuring Chicago artists Angel Anderson and Jeremy Taylor Vocals Carl Robinson Jr. INTERMISSION SUPPORT FOR THE ABOUT THE WORK RELATED PROGRAMS ARTISTS Special thanks to the MCA, Laura Faure, Bates College, ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Philadanco, Community ACT TWO Education Center, and ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE WITH AUDIO Jamie Merwin for their –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– constant support of the DESCRIPTION work and vision of Rennie SCENE 5 GET DOWN OR LAY DOWN Sat, Aug 24, 2 pm Harris Puremovement. Rennie Harris’s LIFTED was made possible by Music “Lost & Turnt Out” by Darrin Ross the New England –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, OPEN REHEARSAL & COMMUNITY DINNER with lead funding from Dancers Katia Cruz, Joshua Culbreath, Phillip the Doris Duke Charitable Wed, Aug 21 Foundation and Cuttino, Tatiana Desardouin, Richard The Andrew W. Mellon Evans, Mai Lê Hô Johnson, Rodney Rehearsal director and performer Joshua Culbreath, Foundation. Mason, Emily Pietruszka, Joshua Polk, Choir Director Joshua Sommerville, and Company Manager Andrew Ramsey, Yuko Tanaka, and Rodney Hill enacted the performance’s notions of community Marcus Tucker building and celebration by engaging in fellowship with local black communities and cultures in a shared –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– dinner and discussion with congregation members and other SCENE 6 SUNDAY Chicago-based artists at St. Benedict the African, located in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side, Music “Amazing Grace,” written by after opening their rehearsals to church members to observe. John Newton ST. BENEDICT THE AFRICAN is one of very few Catholic Dancers Full Ensemble churches to serve a predominately African American community in Chicago. The church was designed by the Vocals Joshua Sommerville with Choir renowned architectural firm Belli & Belli and features impressive sculpted-wood and stained-glass ornamentation. Duet Alonzo and Phinizea Chadwick The church is also home to an impressive collection of religious art, including wood sculptures and paintings commissioned for the space to reflect black spirituality. The MCA is honored to include members of the St. Benedict choir in this performance of LIFTED.
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PRE-SHOW–– TALK WITH THE ILLINOIS YOUTH CENTER
Sat,––– Aug 24
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As––– part of the MCA’s commitment to the idea that art can
interact––– with civic efforts, and through an ongoing rela-
tionship––– with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice’s
Youth––– Centers, members of the LIFTED creative team met
with––– a group of incarcerated youth prior to the perfor-
mance––– to give them a behind-the-scenes look at how the
performance––– comes together.
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––– ––– PHINIZEA CHADWICK (Touring judged competitions, including the ABOUT THE ARTISTS choir) was born and raised in Pura Calle Festival in Lima, Who’s Portland, Oregon. She is married to That Lady in Italy, Urban Steady RENNIE HARRIS (Choreographer/ ANGEL ANDERSON (Local dance Alonzo Chadwick and together they Groove in France, ReprezentYourself Director/Writer) was born and cast) was born in Ann Arbor, have three beautiful daughters, in Switzerland, Flavourama in raised in an African American Michigan, and raised in the south Zae’lyn (8), Zamirah (7), and Zuri Austria, and Ladies of Hip-Hop in community in North Philadelphia. In suburbs of Chicago. She began (1), and another bundle of joy due in Detroit and Philadelphia. She is 1992 Harris founded Rennie Harris dancing at the FieldCrest School of November. cofounder of Continuum, the first Puremovement American Street Performing Arts, which has led to hip-hop company in Switzerland, Dance Theater (RHPM), a street her pursuing a career in dance. She KATIA CRUZ (RHPM dancer) started and of Le Centre Hip-Hop, a hip-hop dance company dedicated to is currently a fourth-year student at dancing salsa at the age of nine dance school in Geneva. She is a preserving and disseminating the University of Illinois at Urbana- with Barbara Capaldi at the Atrium member of JAIA nonprofit, founder hip-hop culture. Celebrating twenty- Champaign where she is exploring Dance Studio in Pennsauken, New of the hip-hop theater dance five years of street dance theater, street dance styles and pursuing a Jersey. Two years later she started company Passion Fruit Dance Harris’s first evening-length work, dual degree in psychology and training in hip-hop dance with Company, a core member of RHPM, Rome & Jewels, remains the longest dance. Marcus Tucker, cofounder of Face Da and teaches hip-hop and house at touring hip-hop dance theater work Phlave Entertainment, and India EXPG NYC. in American history, with three PHILLIP ARMSTRONG (Local choir Hyman, also of Face Da Phlave. Bessie Awards, two Black Theater director) has performed in the Cruz is a leading member and TRENELLE DOYLE (Touring choir) is Alvin Ailey Awards, a Herb Alpert Chicago Children’s Choir and choreographer of In Da Clutch a California native who currently award, and a Lawrence Olivier Lookinglass Theatre’s production of Entertainment, owned by Kenneth sings with various worship teams in Award nomination. Rome & Jewels Sita Ram, debuting the role of God Thomas. She is codirector of In Da Portland, Oregon. Doyle was has performed for sold-out Brahma/King Janaka, and under- Clutch Jr. Division, a children’s recently featured on the Bridge City audiences nationally and inter- studying the role of Hanuman. hip-hop program. Cruz has been a Music’s album Altars, has worked on nationally. Harris has brought “social” Armstrong has made several core member of RHPM since 2012. various national recording projects, dance styles to the “concert” stage, appearances as a lead vocalist for and is currently pursuing a career in creating a cohesive dance style that the Steve Harvey Gala and for JOSHUA CULBREATH (“Joshua” and entertainment. finds a cogent voice in the theater. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s inaug- RHPM dancer) was born and raised He was voted one of the most urations, and has been featured on in Philadelphia, where he started RICHARD EVANS (THE influential people in the last one Fox News, WGN News, and ABC dancing at the age of ten. In middle HOODLOCKERS) is a dancer, hundred years of Philadelphia News. Recently featured, as an school, Culbreath joined a dance choreographer, and instructor from history and has been compared to alumnus, in the Chicago Children’s group called K.R.S. Ent., which won southern New Jersey. Currently twentieth-century dance legends Choir vinyl record, titled We All Live many talent shows and went on to residing in Philadelphia, he gives Alvin Ailey and Bob Fosse. Awarded Here, Armstrong supports and perform on Showtime at the Apollo back to the community by teaching the key to the cities of Miami and encourages the youth to find their in New York. While with K.R.S. Ent., youth and adults at various tristate Philadelphia, Harris was also featured voice within their own community. Culbreath began to train with B-boy area dance studios. His professional in Rose Eichenbaum’s Masters of As an educator, he follows in the Hannibal, founder of 360 Flava. career started at age eighteen with Movement-Portraits of America’s Great steps of one of his mentors, Culbreath is currently a core Face Da Phlave Entertainment. Choreographers alongside dance Josephine Lee. Armstrong lives to member of RHPM. Evans later became a member of legends such as Carmen de serve and sing through the Gospel. THE HOODLOCKERS and has Lavallade, Judith Jamison, Fayard Gospel music and jazz are essential PHILLIP CUTTINO JR. (“Uncle Jip” represented the group on- and Nicolas, and Gregory Hines. Harris elements of his soul. and RHPM dancer), a Philadelphia offstage in battles and workshops was awarded a Master of African native hip-hopper from birth, is throughout the world. Evans’s first American Choreography Medal from ALONZO CHADWICK & ZOULFUL skilled in breakin’, graffiti, DJ-ing, danced under the direction of the Kennedy Center, is a United MUZIC (Touring choir) is a vocalist, and rapping. His first performance Rennie Harris in 2013 in his play LUV States Artists Rose Fellow and a songwriter, composer, actor, social was at the age of four with his American Style; he has been an Guggenheim Fellow, and was justice activist, talent scout/recruiter, father, a prominent MC and B-boy active member ever since. recognized as a Pennsylvania Artist and artist consultant who has left in the Philadelphia hip-hop scene. of the Year by Governor Ed Rendell. his mark on Portland, Oregon. As He started in a crew called the RODNEY HILL (Company manager) His company toured as an ambassador former director/vocal teacher of Self X-men doing local talent shows and was born and raised in North of hip-hop/street dance for Presidents Enhancement Inc., Chadwick has has learned from some of Philadelphia and entered the hip- Reagan, Clinton, and Obama. been a reoccurring soloist for the Philadelphia’s greats. He has toured hop scene in 1988. He has been Oregon Symphony. He was throughout the United States and featured in many videos for artists WADUD AHMAD (Narrator/Poet) is instrumental in bringing together internationally and is a core such as Boys II Men, Will Smith, and an accomplished lawyer, poet, and some of Portland’s finest voices for member of RHPM. Music Soul Child, among others, and activist. Ahmad has performed Rennie Harris’s vision to include local appeared on TV shows such as R&B throughout the world and appeared singers in his work with communities Originally from Switzerland, Divas: LA, NBC’s Late Night with on recordings with artists including that have always supported his TATIANA DESARDOUIN (“Aunt Conan O’Brien, Soul Train, NBC’s NFL The Roots, Jill Scott, Ornette artistic voice. Chadwick is currently Tah-tah” and RHPM dancer) has Under the Helmet, and BET’s Teen Coleman, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Jeff the manager of Black Parent won many street dance Summit. He has toured and Bradshaw, Grover Washington Jr., Initiative, CEO of a new nonprofit, competitions, like Juste Debout in performed with R&B singers Brave Marcus Miller, Gerald Veasley, and Come-Unity Impact, and owner of Marseille, France, Just for Laughs in Williams and Julian King, as well as The Last Poets. Zoulful Music Inc. Montreal, and Clash in Session in Teddy Pendergrass, Shanice Wilson, Copenhagen. She has taught and Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Philly’s CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Michael O’Grady PRITZKER DIRECTOR Madeleine Grynsztejn JAMES W. ALSDORF CHIEF CURATOR Michael Darling –––––––––––––––––––– PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATE CURATOR Tara Aisha Willis PRODUCING DIRECTOR Kendall Karg THEATER PRODUCTION MANAGER Richard Norwood ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Matt Sharp CURATORIAL ASSISTANT Laura Paige Kyber COORDINATOR Anthony Williams –––––––––––––––––––– HOUSE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES Phill Cabeen Cameron Heinze Jill Perez –––––––––––––––––––– MCA TECHNICAL PRODUCTION STAFF AUDIO ENGINEER Mati Johnson ELECTRICIANS Lena Aubrey Daniel Drust Hanna Elliot Mils Fritjofson Cameron Petti WARDROBE Jennifer Giangola –––––––––––––––––––– BOX OFFICE MANAGER Casey VanWormer ASSISTANT MANAGER Phongtorn Phongluantum COORDINATOR Molly Laemle VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT Julia Kriegel ASSOCIATES Cynthia Appleby Malcolm Evans Graham Feyl Emily Gallaugher Cagla Gillis Charlotte Gruman Sue Reon Kim Miguel Limon Charle Luckett Peyton Lynch Alexandria McGurk Janelle Miller Maria Morales Veronica Murashige Jill Perez Michael Rogerson Jen Rymont Grace Wellin Lisa West Taylor Wisham Program notes compiled by Laura Rennie Harris, LIFTED. Photo: Nikki Carrara. Rennie Harris, LIFTED. Photo: Nikki Carrara. Paige Kyber of The Victory Theater in New York He recently scored Suzan Lori Parks’s ABOUT THE ARTISTS (CONT.) City and the African American Top Dog/Underdog. He is also the Museum of Philadelphia; he recipient of a 2001 Bessie Award for own The Roots. An accomplished SHIRA MATH (RHPM associate consistently performs at The Trump his musical composition for Rome & teacher and choreographer, Hill has dancer) is from Philadelphia. After Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and guest Jewels. Ross has worked with and performed and taught in universities graduating from Temple University performs on BET’S 106 & Park. He’s established many artists in the and studios across the United States with a BS in public health, Math lectured at high schools, colleges, industry, including PM Dawn, and in France, the Democratic took a break from the medical field summer camps, and after-school Newcleus, Aphillyation, Ram Squad, Republic of Congo, East Asia, Egypt, to pursue dance. Since moving to programs. When Polk dances, the Tuff Crew, Doug E. Fresh, King Britt, Israel, and Palestine. Currently, he is New York, Math has completed showmanship of such historical ZHANE, Helen Bruner, Jungle company manager/director of Broadway Dance Center’s iconic performers such as Stump & Brothers, Kim Waters, Todd Terry, RHPM, RHAW, and DICE RAW. Hill is Professional Semester with a Stumpy, Sammy Davis Jr., and James The Roots, Bahamadia, Dee Dee currently attending Wilson College concentration in hip-hop and has Brown come to mind. Experience Sharp Gamble, No Question, AZ YET, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, trained with some of the best in the the man who is proclaimed by those Victor Duplaix, Bowser, Rampage, where he is earning a master’s field, including Princess Lockeroo, in the hip-hop world as the one and Brother Peace, Major Figgas, Grisha degree in choreography. Luam, Jessica Castro, Kumari, Carlos only “He Locks”! Coleman, Leon Evans, and Mike Neto, Miss Vee, Kyle and Dinita Knox. In 1992, he formed I.Q. MAI LÊ HÔ JOHNSON (RHPM dancer) Clark, Juan Calderon, and Soo. Her ANDREW RAMSEY (THE HOOD Records and now directs his own is a dancer, art educator, and focus includes hip-hop, popping, LOCKERS) aka “Riot” cofounded THE production company, KIA-TIFF. Past curator from France who relocated locking, waacking, house, hustle, HOODLOCKERS, a funk-style crew collaborations with Rennie Harris to Brooklyn in 2009. As a dancer in street jazz, Latin, and jazz. She has based out of Philadelphia/New include the 1990 coproduction of RHPM, Passion Fruit Dance Company, been a backup dancer for artists like Jersey and belongs to “Phresh Select television segments for Dance Party and Theo Parrish Live Band, Hô Tito Love and Mprynt, a featured Dance Crew” of MTV’s Randy Jackson USA and 1 House Street. His scoring Johnson has performed and taught dancer on BET’s One Shot, and in presents America’s Best Dance Crew. and composition efforts are seen in in Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, the many music videos for artists like He trained for fifteen years with works for The Pennsylvania Ballet, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Spencer Ludwig, DJ Diamond Kutz, some of the world’s leading street The Memphis Ballet, and in various Canada, and across Europe and the and Stylezz. dance artists, specializing in hip-hop, movies. United States. She produces a “funk” styles, and house dance. monthly jam session of musicians Under the direction of Phillip Ramsey has worked with artists like JOSHUA SOMMERVILLE (Touring and street dancers called LayeRhythm, Armstrong and Greg Woods, NAS, Madonna, Asher Roth, and choir director) is a singer, pianist, and is director of It’s Showtime NYC!, MOSAIC SOUL VOCAL ENSEMBLE is Nick Cannon and appeared on BET’s composer, music director, and a program providing performance comprised of nine accomplished 106 and Park, FOX’s So You Think You graduate of Towson University’s and professional development oppor- Chicago singers and accompanied by Can Dance, and ABC’s VISIONS. School of Music. He started learning tunities to street and subway dancers. a five-piece band. MOSAIC’S original how to play the piano and singing repertoire is rooted in a diverse CARL ROBINSON JR.’s (“Reverend”) at age five and became a SIMONE JORDAN (Touring choir) range of genres including spiritual voice has resonated since the age of professional musician/choir director was born and raised in Portland, music, jazz, gospel, soul, funk, and ten. A graduate of LaGuardia High at fourteen. He has worked with the Oregon. Jordan has performed with inspirational R&B. MOSAIC exists to School of Music and Performing late director of the Harlem Boys various artists nationally and bring people of all practices, musical Arts, he has been a part of major Choir, Dr. Walter Turnbull, Dr. Ysaye currently sings with Kingdom Sound tastes, and personal upbringings productions such as the twentieth Barnewell of Sweet Honey and the and Embrace Community Choir. together through the richly rooted anniversary of Mama I Want to Sing. Rock, and Dr. Stanley Thurston of the sounds of uplifting, soulful, and Robinson has been a background Washington Performing Arts Society A Portland, Oregon, transplant from spiritual music. singer for artists such as Jasmin Children Gospel. Founder and South Philly, RODNEY S. MASON Sullivan, Shania Twain, Lil’ Mo, director of three singing groups, (“Big Poppa”) won the starring role EMILY PIETRUSZKA (RHPM dancer) Karen Clark-Sheard, Donald Sommerville created the “Emptiness of “Tony Sinclair” for the Tanqueray holds a BFA from the University of Lawrence, Richard Smallwood, Kirk Workshop,” which brings worldwide campaign, beating out Colorado at Boulder. Pietruszka Franklin, Fred Hammond, Marvin awareness, love, and knowledge to the Wayans brothers and eight began her street-styles training as a Sapp, and Wynton Marsalis. He has the self. hundred other candidates from the core member of Rennie Harris’s also been a part of Bishop Nathaniel United States and United Kingdom. Grassroots Project in Denver in 2015. Townsley’s NightSongs and Brooklyn BOB STEINECK (Lighting designer/ Serving his country in the Gulf War She has been teaching in various to Bethlehem. For the past ten years, Production manager) is the resident has informed his work; he often uses contexts, ranging from the Front Robinson has been musical director lighting designer for Texture spoken-word poetry and rap to Range Community College of for Alvin Freeland’s Harlem Christmas Contemporary Ballet, Pittsburgh create a myriad of unusual and Thornton, Colorado, to assistant in Vienna. He is prolific in his Playwright’s Theatre, Mercyhurst original characters for film, television, teaching at the Ailey School in New presentation, has a refreshing and University Dance Department, Rennie commercials, and stand-up comedy York. expansive range for a man, and has Harris’s Puremovement and RHAW, appearances. Mason has worked skills that span beyond his musical Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and with the Groundlings in Los Angeles JOSHUA POLK (THE HOODLOCKERS) capabilities. Raphael Xavier Company. Steineck and Second City in Chicago; toured is an entertainer, educator, and has toured the United States and the world with RHPM; and is known innovator embodying the modern DARRIN M. ROSS (Operations abroad with both Rennie Harris for his Bessie Award–winning role in hip-hop artist as a student of the director/Producer/Composer/Sound companies, Reed Dance, Squonk Rome & Jewels. Currently, he is culture, an advocate of its designer/Engineer) has been Opera, the Lyon Opera Ballet, creating an urban take on Richard III preservation, and “a sick-wit-it” producing and engineering songs Sankai Juku, Phoenix Dance called Dick: A Hip Hop Tragedy. dancer! Polk has graced the stages since 1984 with Jam On Productions. Company, Kirov Ballet Academy, and the American tour of Stars on Ice. MARCUS TUCKER (THE Television and film credits include A HOODLOCKERS) aka “Epic” toured Gathering of Sons for Pittsburgh Europe with Kompany Malikhi’s Festival Opera, the DIZZY GILLESPIE “Hip-Hop story,” directed and Allstar Big Band for A&E Cable, the performed in his own creation SPYRO GYRA concert for PBS, and Heroes, became a member of JOHNNY A TRIO by Warner Bros. Funkstylerz UK, and performed with Publications. Recent lighting designs UK sensation Pixie Lott. He created include the world premiere of A his own dance company, Face da Gathering of Sons commissioned by Phlave Entertainment, with Andrew Pittsburgh Festival Opera and two Ramsey and Kenneth Thomas and is nationally touring productions of fulfilling his dream of performing Point of Interest for Raphael Xavier. with Rennie Harris Puremovement. Other designs include Boundless for He was recently hired to perform Texture Contemporary Ballet, In the for Madonna’s private parties and Company of Ghosts for Adrienne events. Tucker choreographed for So Wehr and Frank Ferraro, and Xerxes You Think You Can Dance Malaysia, and Sweeny Todd for Pittsburgh and judged five seasons of Astro’s Festival Opera. Battleground, Malaysia’s first hip-hop TV show. He’s collaborated and YUKO UKO SNOWBUNNY TANAKA danced with Malaysian pop star (RHPM associate dancer) was born MiZZ Nina, Colby O’Donnis, Flo Rida, in Japan, moved to New York to Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, search for the roots of hip-hop Korean K-Pop superstar JAY PARK, culture, and was trained by Melissa Indot, Dennis Lau, Chris legendary hip-hop dancer/ Willis, Yalonda Be Cool, and Havana choreographer/instructor Buddha Brown. Stretch of Elite Force Crew. RAPHAEL XAVIER (Musical Chicago native JEREMY TAYLOR composer) is an award-winning (Local dance cast) is a BFA dance artist from Wilmington, Delaware. A student at the University of Illinois at self-taught practitioner, he is Urbana-Champaign where he has credited with the resurrection and performed choreographies by growth of the breaking community Melanie Bales, C. Kemal Nance, in Philadelphia since 1996. Xavier is a Rebecca Nettl-Fiol, and others. He Pennsylvania Fellow of the Arts in was recently the artistic director for folk and traditional forms, the 2011 Dance2XS UIUC, is currently the Susan Hess Modern Dance president of MVMNT Dance Choreographers Project recipient, Community, and the creator of and has been funded by the MVMNT Dance Collective. Taylor’s Independence Foundation and work emerges from a confluence of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. He visual art, theater, and street and is a 2016 United States Artist Fellow commercial dance as he seeks to and a 2016 Guggenheim Fellow. As merge urban/street styles with a professional breaker/dancer for African Diasporic forms. the last fifteen years, he works in a variety of fields including music, photography, and film, which he incorporates into his choreography and dance. His work has been presented at the Kennedy Center, Dance Theater Workshop, The Wilma Theater, and Painted Bride Arts Center, to name a few.
Rennie Harris, LIFTED. Photo: Nikki Carrara. ACCESSIBILITY UPCOMING PERFORMANCES INFORMATION Select performances include open-captioning, Dinner and a Show sign-interpretation, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– listening devices, or Fri, Aug 30, 7:30 pm are relaxed sensory. Please call 312-397-4010 in advance to Thurman Barker and Ben LaMar Gay reserve seats and South Side Suite and Hecky Naw! Angles! inclusive services. Two generations of Chicago-born composers share an evening honoring the history and future of music experimentation—and the city itself. –––––––––––––––––––– BUY TICKETS ONLINE mcachicago.org/stage BY PHONE 312-397-4010 AT THE MCA BOX OFFICE 220 E Chicago Ave Chicago, IL 60611 Single performance tickets starting at $30; $10 for students, limited availability. Groups of ten or more save 20% on full-price tickets; call 312-397-4010.
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