Shell of A Shell of The Shell
About the Performance
Exploring and revisiting the varied process of decolonizing the self as a point of departure, Rena Butler’s reimagines and abstract the narrative of the monolithic, titular character ‘King Kong’. Throughout the work, Butler poses the question “How does an environment force the configuration of the individual?” Through the contained scope of momentous imagery and buoyant tension, Shell of A Shell of The Shell will dissect themes of self-excavation in restrictive spaces to open the mind’s eye of cultural differences and the challenges one may face in operating under, building, and dismantling perpetuated systems or habits.
- Choreography
- Rena Butler
- Lighting Design
Dan Scully
- Costume Design
Hogan McLaughlin
- Costume Construction
Dante Baylor and Amy Page
- Music Composition
Darryl J. Hoffman
- Premiere Cast
Jamaal Bowman, Amari Frazier, Donovan Reed, Keturah Stephen, Gianna Theodore, Olivia Wang
- Duration
- 21 minutes
- Premiere
- The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, Purchase, NY (2024)
Support
Shell of A Shell of The Shell was originally commissioned by The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, General Manager, Ian Driver.
