Change
“This work is inspired by women—Black, Brown and Beige—who have refashioned the neighborhood, the country, the world through their vision, courage, and endurance. Often unsung, inconspicuous or up-front, these individuals could be called warriors for change.”
Design Statement
The dancers start off clothed in silhouettes referencing the late 19th century, Mid Century, and present day America, progressively shedding the layers of their costumes throughout the dance to reveal a patchwork skin tone leotard.
The leotards were constructed from scraps of material used to make leotards and undergarments dyed to match each of the Dancer’s skin tones before the company went on hiatus in 2004. Dance Theatre of Harlem was the first professional ballet company to celebrate, rather than uniformly hide the color of their Dancer’s skin. Even their shoes are dyed or painted to match the color of each Dancer’s skin.
The Dancers perform each night clothed in the legacy of their predecessors, their own individual skin blending here and there into the crazy quilt pattern. It serves as a reminder, not only to the Dancers, but to the Audience as well, that as you move forward into the future, you are never standing alone.
Costume Design: Oran Bumroongchart
Choreographer: Dianne McIntyre
Lighting Design: Alex Fabozzi
Traditional Music: Spelman College Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Kevin Johnson & B.E. Boykin
Original Music: Eli Fountain
Leotard Construction: Ruth Fentroy
Silhouette Construction: Amy Page
Photos: Rachel Neville courtesy Dance Theatre of Harlem
Artistic Director: Virginia Johnson
Commissioned by: Dance Theatre of Harlem
International & Domestic Tours: 2016-present | 2021, 2018 Lincoln Center | 2019 Kennedy Center | 2016-18 New York City Center | 2018 International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference | 2016 TedX Broadway
