NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will present the The Minstrel Show Revisited, a reworking of Donald Byrd‘s 1991 Bessie Award-winning dance/theater production. The show takes a satirical look at the derogatory blackface form of entertainment that left lingering psychological scars still felt today. There are free pre-show and post-show discussions and Q&A’s after every performance.
The black-faced mask of minstrel shows is a lingering image from America’s past that still inflicts wounds today through its psychic hold…In the future if we are to be free from its terrible grip we must confront it boldly and courageously by staring back into its face and laughing at the absurdity of its representation until it no longer has the power to hurt us. Only then will it be vanquished and we are free to be. – Donald Byrd
The Minstrel Show Revisited interrogates and critiques the 19th century blackface entertainment genre that continues to play a significant role in cultural stereotyping. The work addresses current racial issues while shining the light on racist aspects of American history that are difficult to discuss. By using the conventions of the 19th century minstrel show, including the once common tradition of blackface, Byrd and his remarkable dancers confront audiences with the past and present manifestations of racism and perpetuation of stereotypes embedded in American culture and tradition.
While the original motivation for creating this piece was the racially motivated slaying of Yusef Hawkins, it’s still very relevant to the current social climate in America. With Eric Garner’s chokehold death and the deaths of Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland and many others, there isn’t a more important time for such a piece to be revisited and revised.
Donald Byrd’s work as a choreographer achieved international visibility with the creation of the Harlem Nutcracker and a Tony Award nomination for his 2006 choreography of Broadway’s The Color Purple. He has created more than 80 modern dance pieces for his own groups as well as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and The Joffrey Ballet. He was a fellow at The Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at Harvard University for three years.
The Minstrel Show Revisited will play for three performances: October 28 and 29 at 7:30 pm and October 30 at 8 pm. Tickets are $30 – $55 and may be purchased online at www.nyuskirball.org, by phone at 212.998.4941, or in person at the NYU Skirball Center Box Office. The NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square, New York, New York 10012.
