Introducing Red, White, (Black) and Blue

For Colored Girls... created the blueprint to the choreopoem.  When Winter Come, Confessions in Living Color(ed) and Goliath expanded the foundation.  Now, its time to introduce the next stage of expansion, Red, White, (Black) and Blue. 

This yet-to-be released work addresses key events within African American culture. Rooted in factual events, the plot extends from slavery through present day.  Each scene represents a significant period  within African American history: slavery, post-slavery, the Great Migration, civil rights & segregation, war on drugs, criminal justice, incarceration, broken families, public policy and reparations.

Originally, choreopoems involved the writer blending poetry with dance and diverting from specific plot elements, i.e. the development of traditional characters and westernized story telling. Red, White, (Black) and Blue differs from the original choreopoem.  Its components include poetry and dance to balance each other, traditional elements of storytelling, a well-defined plot and well-defined characters. 

The goal of these components is to serve the greater good of the work.  Consider for instance, the characters as "literary tools."  Their purpose is to deliver to audience the importance, the significance and the urgency of each  scene using poetic monologue, dialogue  and soliloquy. 

The creativity does not end there.  This piece weaves also original music and original mural artistry into the performance canvas to achieve an emotional response from its audience.  Original music is not an anomaly to theatrical productions, hence the musical.  However, original mural artistry in lieu of traditional stage sets is unique. 

Although Red, White, (Black) and Blue deviates from Shange's original blueprint, it still pays homage to its originality.  And keeping in step with more recent choreopoem works, its seeks to expand the choreopoem's artistic foundation.  However, expansion cannot take place without the ever-important theater patrons.  Patrons cannot patronize the choreopoem without the knowledge of its existence.  So, please educate yourselves and become apart of this artistic movement.