Production of 'HERE US'

In 1916, celebrated Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright Angelina Weld Grimké described one of her characters who shines in spite of the violent prejudice and turbulence of her time as “loving, young, joyous, and vital.” 

In the fall of 2020, the Denison Theatre Department presented HERE US, a virtual performance platform for students of color, amidst the violent prejudice and turbulence of a double pandemic, with the aim of releasing some of Denison’s own love, youth, joy, and vitality. 

Now in its third year, HERE US has become an annual live performance event (and streaming video that follows), featuring a whole new series of bold, original works written, workshopped, and performed by Denison students.

This year, the concept and practice of “Resistance” was chosen as a theme to help launch individual contributions to the show. These individual pieces were developed and interwoven, through a collaborative rehearsal process, into a single interconnected performance — including original spoken word, poetry, music, dance, and film — that explores diverse perspectives on this theme and continues to celebrate many facets of the complex POC identity within the Denison community.

Produced and Directed by Ojeya Cruz Banks & James Dennen.

Designed by Christian Faur, Thomas Mauney, and Rebecca Baygents Turk.

Performance dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m.