Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper and Director Ezra Hurwitz and joined forces to conceive a film tribute in collaboration with The Whitney Museum of American Art that evokes Alvin Ailey's “blood memories” and the enduring power of his legacy. Accompanied by music from GRAMMY Award-winning band Radiohead, Echoes of Ailey proudly won an EMMY AWARD in addition to two Webby Awards.

Production Credits:

Choreographed and Directed by Francesca Harper

Original Music by Nona Hendryx

Lighting Designer: Itohan Edoloyi

Costume Designer: Elias Gurrola

Projection Designer: Allison Costa

Assistant Choreographer: Eriko Iisaku

Production Stage Manager: Joshua Gustafson

CAST:

Nicholas Begun, Spencer Everett, Eriko Iisaku, Raven Joseph, Timothy Stickney, Christopher Taylor, Brena Thomas

FILM CREW:

Co-Director: Redha Medjellekh

Assistant Director: Shuhan Xie

Director of Photography: Sebastian Rogers

Assistant Camera: Jules Rico

Hair and Makeup: Danielle Alyce

Editor: Evy Garcia

Consulting Editor: Derrick Belcham

A production of THE OFFICE performing arts + film

Exploring her own memories, inspired by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Loving V. Virginia, Harper re-imagines an excerpt from her work in progress, ‘Unapologetic Body,’ and explores both the intersectionality and divergence of miscegenation and its evolution over time. With cinematography by Daniel Madoff assisted by Peter Fernberger, a score by Slowdanger and Arcoiris Sandoval, lighting by Tuce Yasak, and poetry by Alice Dunbar Nelson. Harper asks us to re-imagine love through an inclusive lens and help actively define a future for love.

Choreographed by Francesca Harper in collaboration with the dancers of the Contemporary Program of The School at Jacob's Pillow, "Still" is a dance film inspired by the courage of the civil rights movement. Set to an original score by Arcoiris Sandoval with artistic contributions by Nel Shelby Productions and Maleek Washington, the work deconstructs Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, fusing text and original movement into a compelling work reflecting on revolutions past and present. Harper describes "Still" as “a call to action,” going on to say “as the daughter of a civil rights lawyer I am inspired by our current political climate and all of the momentum, empathy, and courage I am witnessing through our collective efforts.” _______

Credits: "Still" was commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Concept, Direction, Choreography, Editing: Francesca Harper Assistant Choreography: Maleek Washington Film Supervision and Editing: Nel Shelby Productions Music Composition: Arcoiris Sandoval Text: Martin Luther King Jr. Choreography, Filming, and Vocals developed in collaboration with The School at Jacob’s Pillow 2020 Contemporary Program Alumni: Cristina Barretta, Emma Branson, Gloriana Dent, Patrick Gamble, Jada Rose German, Enoch Grubb, Alexander Haquia, Lounes Landri, Summer McNeill, Jordan Powell and Elijah Trevitt. Special thanks to Pamela Tatge and The School at Jacob’s Pillow 2020 Contemporary Program, Milton Myers, Didy Veldman, “J.R.” Glover, Kayla Banks and Fiona Scruggs.

“Crooked places will be made straight.” An FHP Film in association with Nel Shelby Productions © 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival