'Untitled'

“Untitled” is features words from Jaki Shelton Green sung in an operatic style by Carly Prentis Jones and choreography/movement by Nicole Oxendine.

The work is an operatic and movement adaptation of Green’s “redemption lullaby II.” These three women of color embody the strength, character and perseverance needed to break through in their respective fields. Nicole and Carly are classically trained in movement and opera, respectively, while Jaki is a literary legend. She was the first North Carolina Piedmont Laureate and also a North Carolina Poet Laureate, the first African-American to receive the honor.

These women are the solution to the problems of not believing in oneself and breaking down barriers. They have trained and inspired other generations to “find their own fire,” and they continue to empower and set the bar with the work they do. Young Black and brown women don’t have to look far for examples of women who look like them thriving in fields where representation is limited. The selection contains lines from Green’s original “redemption lullaby II.”

“Untitled” was part of the group exhibitions “Black On Black V3” and “Troublesome Presence.”

“UNTITLED”

Performance/video runtime: 3:05
Poetry: Jaki Shelton Green
Singing: Carly Prentis Jones
Choreography and movement: Nicole Oxendine
Location: Empower Dance Studio, Durham, N.C.
Performance coordinator: Michael S. Williams
Video: Filmed and edited by Julia Wall; directed by Michael S. Williams

Only available for viewing as part of special events or screenings.