Original Dance Works
Photography by Paul Virtucio
crystal, smoke, n' spirit(s)...
Choreography and DirectionLeslie Parker. Collaboration and Performance: Leslie Parker, Angie Pittman, Leanna Browne, Kurt RuKim, Nteranya Arnold Sanginga
Venue: Frey Theatre (St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN. Soundscape collaboration, composition, & live performance: Nioka Workman (cello), Taji Maalik (percussion), Kevin Washington (percussion), Rico Mendez (DJ). Recorded Track: Holy Mountain by DJ Khalid, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Mavado, 070 Shake. Costume design: Maggie Dayton, Tyna Changes Creation, and Leslie Parker in collaboration with performers “Past, Present & Future”; Mask by Masa Kawahara (and conceived/imagined with Leslie Parker). Vocal coach: Aimee K. Bryant. Date: July 2019. Dramaturg: Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Text: Spill: Scenes of Black Feminist Fugitivity, Alexis Pauline Gumbs.
Performance: Frey Theatre, Saint Catherine University, Saint Paul, MN (2019). Original commission: New Dance Works.
Video credit: Cully Gallagher
2019
Crossways/Gateways remixed
Choreography and performance: Leslie Parker. Recorded music: Alvin "Youngblood" Hart and Sharon Jones.
Performances: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis MN (2018); Emoves13, New York Live Arts, New York, NY (2013); Fresh Tracks Performance, HarlemStage Gatehouse, New York, NY (2012).
Video credit: Courtesy of Walker Art Center
2018
Bone Womyn Traces in Black
Choreography: Leslie Parker; Performance: Leslie Parker, Daphne Lee, Kamille King, Angel Chin. Live percussion: Vladimir Espinosa, Bradley Simmons. Recorded music: Kendric Lamar (“DAMN.”), D.O.C (“It’s Funky Enough”), Prince (“She’s Always in My Hair”). Recorded original text and performance: Leslie Parker (“A Poem for Bone Womyn”). Lyrics written by Walter L. Hughes and spoken by Leslie Parker (“A Thank You Song”). Visual artist: Jemila MacEwan (created and designed “Bone Womyn” hanging sculpture); Collaboration wtih Leslie Parker and Jamila MacEwan (Hanging “Iron Scraps” sculpture); Collaboration wtih Leslie Parker and Jamila MacEwan (“Chair Altar”). Lighting: Peggy Mead. Stage direction and assistance by Marcus White.
Performances: Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN (2018); Hollins Theatre, Roanoke, VA (2017); Fresh Tracks Performance, HarlemStage Gatehouse, New York, NY (2012).
Photo credit: Alice Gebura
2017
Ripen: Forbidden Truth
Choreography and direction: Leslie Parker. Performance (solo): Leslie Parker. Performance (ensemble): Leslie Parker, Leslie Lissant, Camila Marie Davis, Kei Phillip. Live music composition: Taji Maalik Hill, Rico Mendez. Music recording: 3beanstew. Original text (script and spoken performance): Leslie Parker, Camila Marie Davis, Kei Phillip. Visual images: Giannina Guiterrez.
Original commission: New York Live Arts, and in part National Endowment for the Arts for Fresh Tracks Artist in Residence program. Performances: Late Nite Series: Non-English Speaking Spoken Here, curated by E.G. Bailey and Laurie Carlos, Pillsbury House and Theatre, Minneapolis, MN (2016); Fall Movement Series, Center for Performance Research, New York, NY (2016); Mix29 Festival curated by New Dance Alliance, HERE Arts Center for the Performance, New York, NY (2016); Soaking WET Series curated by David Parker, New York, NY (2016); Thelma Hill Performancing Arts Center curated by Alex Smith, New York, NY (2014).
Screenshot photos courtesy of Pillsbury House and Theatre.
2016