The “RED Series” continues Shamel Pitts research to propose and share the colorfulness within blackness. “I have met a multitude of performers from various countries of the African diaspora and this has widened my understanding as to the diversity of black people as well as formed my realization that we find home through a shared platform” (Shamel Pitts)
Touch of RED is a new duet of two men that will take place inside of a contemporary ring. It’s research will deal with the allowance of black men to soften; the power in vulnerability; the meeting point of two individuals within a boxed space that references a futuristic and voyeuristic gladiator entertainment site in which a heat path between the two performers builds not out of aggression or combat but within an enhanced electrifying effeminacy that heals.
Bold. Boiled. Blood.
Artistic Team
Concept Direction & Choreographer: Shamel Pitts
Performers: Tushrik Fredericks, Shamel Pitts
Artistic Production Manager & Lighting Designer: Rus Snelling
Video Mapping & Lighting Designer: Lucca Del Carlo
Scenic Design: Mimi Lien
Costume Designer: Dion Lee
Costume Stylists: TT Britt & Tushrik Fredericks
Shoe Apparel: Fulton Cobbler (Brooklyn, NY) – customized “gloves”
Original Musical Score: Sivan Jacobovitz
Additional Music: Ben Frost – A Single Point of Blinding Light
Dramaturge: Ashley Pierre-Louis
Lindy Hop Instructor: LaTasha Barnes
Cinematographer: Taylor Antisdel
Creative Director: Mirelle Martins
Social Media Manager: Pam Panozzo
Worldwide Bookings: Lotus Arts Management, Sophie Myrtil-McCourty, sophie@lotusartsmgmt.com
Touch of RED is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow, YoungArts, Miami Light Project, UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance, New York Live Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and NPN. The Creation & Development Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, Office of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). Touch of RED is also made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Mellon Foundation; developmental support and the world premiere presentation is made possible by co-presenters Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and Jacob’s Pillow. We would also like to thank the Consulate General of Israel in New York, Trust for Mutual Understanding, GIBNEY, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, and Artis. Bubble residency guidance provided by Duke Dang and medical consultant Dr. Wendy Ziecheck. For more information: www.npnweb.org
Additional TRIBE commissioning, development and core operating support is provided by the Mellon Foundation; Arison Arts Foundation; the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; The Howard Gilman Foundation; Dance/NYC’s Dance Advancement Fund, made possible by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Ford Foundation; 92Y Harkness Dance Center; National Performance Network (NPN) Creation, Development & Artist Engagement Fund Project. The Creation, Development & Artist Engagement Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency); New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
First three performance photos (MASS MoCA co-presented by Jacob’s Pillow) by: The Adeboye Brothers
Dave Adeboye & Matt Adeboye
Promotional photos (color) by: Alex Apt
Rehearsal photos (black & white) by: Elvis Suarez – Glassworks Media
