Camille A. Brown...just might become the next Katherine Dunham, bridging the gap between art and academia, between American and African American worlds, between politics and artistic expression, exposing the good, the bad and ugly with humor, gusto and grace. -- The DANCE Journal
BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play is New York-based choreographer Camille A. Brown’s newest work and the anchor of a mixed repertoire program for her company’s Chicago debut. BLACK GIRL... reveals the complexity of carving out a self-defined identity as a black female in urban American culture. In a society where black women are often only portrayed in terms of their strength, resiliency, or trauma, Brown interrogates these narratives by representing a nuanced spectrum of black womanhood. With original music compositions performed live by pianist Scott Patterson and electric bassist Tracy Wormworth, Brown uses the rhythmic play of African American dance vernacular including social dancing, double dutch, steppin’, tap, Juba, ring shout, and gesture to evoke childhood memories. From play to protest, the performers come into their identities: innocence to girlhood awareness to maturity–all the while shaped by their environments and the bonds of sisterhood. Each performance culminates in a seamless final act with a dialogue in which audiences engage with the artists on stage.
