The First Last - A Pandemic Documentary

Weird rehearsals, “sparse” audiences and an anti-climactic Season closer… this film has it all!
Chicago Dance Crash and Artistic Director Jessica Deahr are proud to premiere The Last First: Professional Dancemaking in 2020 Chicago — a bouncing, 50-minute documentary telling the story of the Crash Performance Ensemble and creative staff negotiating today’s climate to create and film three new repertory works + getting a few things off their chests while they’re at it. The online screening will take place on November 13th, 7pm CST. Ticket-buyers will also have on demand access to the family-friendly film for 24 hours the following day.
How was it to create dance in Chicago in 2020? “The Last First” chronicles March-October with personal narratives and insight from Artistic Director Jessica Deahr and the dancers as they detail their unique experiences returning to the studio post-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of citywide social protests, strict health and safety guidelines and the uncertainty of what the next day will bring; see how the team persevered with optimism and high spirits to create three brand new dance works in a unique performance season that no one will soon forget! 
The 50-minute film is interwoven with fully-produced new dance works that were created during the 2020 season and filmed in HD on the stage of the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago’s South Side. The new works include “Elastic” by Artistic Director Jessica Deahr with Rehearsal Director KC Bevis as well as “Show & Tell” by Milwaukee-based hip hop choreographer Jasper Sanchez. Additionally a brand new celebratory House section by Chicago-based Funk dancer Keeley Morris puts the finishing touches on
Amirah Sackett’s work, “Sikeena.”
Starring and filmed by YOUR Chicago Dance Crash; proceeds from virtual ticket sales will go to the “Keep Crash Moving” COVID Relief Fund.