Production of 'HERE US'

“Here Us”

• Devised by the “Here Us” Cast 
• Ojeya Cruz Banks, Director & Choreographer 
• Asst. Prof. Jim Dennen, Producer & Director 
• Thomas Mauney, Scenic & Lighting Designer 
• Bobbi Townes, Sound Designer & Music Director 
• Harold Townes, Sound Designer & Music Director 
• Rebecca Baygents Turk, Costume Designer 
• Christian Faur, Projections Designer 
• Cordero L.M Estremera ‘23, Facilitator 
• Khushi Mohapatra ‘24, Stage Manager and Facilitator 
• Yaz Simpson ‘23, Facilitator

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 (and much needed) 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. Then, 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 which explore diverse perspectives on this theme and continue 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.

COVID Policy Information: At this time, masks are optional at performances in the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts. We encourage our audiences to be fully vaccinated, but will no longer require proof of vaccination to reserve tickets. All events and COVID policies are subject to change.