The Dance: The History of American Minstrelsy
InThaCut Inc.
The NAACP award winning educational play comes to Cincinnati!
SHOW DESCRIPTION
Jason Christophe and Aaron White's keen-eyed and riotous hour-long history of blackface minstrel shows lets the facts do the talking. From 2500 B.C. to Al Jolson, we're shown the mongrelized usurpation of African rhythms, musical structure and dance for the entertainment of white audiences reluctant to get any closer to black culture than an Irishman in greasepaint. Unspoken, but just as powerful, is an arsenal of props - which invite the audience to reflect on the deep entrenchment of racial stereotypes in our culture. The duo build a devastating indictment against thug life media stars, posturing gangstas with gats chasing just as injuriously after the dollar as the painted-up and banjo-wielding performers of a century earlier. With this memorable and worthy show, Jason Christophe and Aaron White accomplish two rare hat tricks: a seamless blend of entertainment and intellectualism, and a Q&A where everyone stayed! (LA Weekly)
ARTIST/COMPANY BIOGRAPHY
For over 6 years now, Jason Christophe (Cincinnati, OH) and Aaron White (Inglewood, CA) have been touring colleges , teaching teens and adults alike about the history of American Minstrelsy! From it’s first opening at historic Leimert Park, these two CalArts graduates knew that they had created something magical! That creation was a minstrel production that educates the audience, instead of alienating it. One look into the audience can prove this to any critique. More importantly, The Dance is respected within hundreds of inner city communities, as both Jason and Aaron share a passion to bring theater for social change into areas typically bypassed. Jason particularly looks forward to opening this piece, in part because of the challenge of bringing a controversial history into his hometown. Currently, Jason and Aaron are working on their next production, The American Dream, an absurd American comedy, opening in Los Angeles next season.
PREVIOUS FRINGES
Fringe virgin.
'AND THE FRINGIEST PART IS ...'
The Dance is the winner of the 2007 NAACP award for Best Playwright of the year!
artist website
reviews
+ The Enquirer review (May 30, 2008)
+ CityBeat review (June 3, 2008)