Steppenwolf LookOut: Our Stage Residency

D-Composed’s “Our Stage” residency explored and examined the multifaceted ways in which Black expression comes to life.

The three-night run program was grounded in the ethos that Blackness is not a monolith, as the ensemble explored themes of storytelling and grief. It featured a wide range of compositions by Black composers that served as the heartbeat of each program.

Night 1 was an ode to Black theater and featured a special collaboration with Chicago theater legend, Cheryl Lynn Bruce. The program paid homage to Black Chicago’s theater past & present with musical tributes from composers such as Roberta Flack, Beyoncé, and Jonathan Miller.

Night 2 featured Shani Crowe. Shani is an interdisciplinary artist who uses Black beauty culture and African aesthetics to foster unity and connectivity among people of African descent.

Shani curated a multimedia presentation of archival films that highlighted the trials & triumphs of Black women, with footage of the metamorphosis of the woolly bear moth, the historic USA Women’s Olympic team winning the 4x400, and footage speaking to the versatility of hair from Detroit’s hair shows. The ensemble soundtracked the film with compositions by Serpentwithfeet, Ahmed Al Abaca, and Daniel Bernard Roumain.

The final night of the program featured a D-Composed first and was entitled “D-Composed plays D-Composed.” D-Composed ensemble members played each other's compositions with works from ensemble members such as Seth Pae, Malik Johnson, Caitlin Edwards, Tahirah Whittington, and Khelsey Zarraga.

Each composition gave the audience a glimpse into the various personalities and inspirations that shaped each ensemble member’s work, allowing for a deeper personal connection between the ensemble and the audience.