Program Information for i, heresy

February 29, March 1-2, 2024, in Hearst Dance Theater

Presented by Princeton University’s Program in Dance.

i, heresy
by (Aniyah) Storm Stokes ’24

Run Time

Approximately 30 minutes

Special Notes

Please silence all electronic devices including cellular phones and watches for the duration of the performance. Please refrain from text messaging during the performance. Please do your best to stay within the designated seating areas and keep all personal belongings off the stage. Thank you.

Artistic Credits

Choreographer: (Aniyah) Storm Stokes ’24*

Sound Construction: Vince di Mura, with excerpts from:

  • Ooo Baby Baby, Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin
  • From Where We Stand: Envisioning the Future of Black Theology, Dr. Keri Day, Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, and Dr. Jeremy L. Williams
  • Black Liberation Theology, Jeremiah Wright with Bill Moyers
  • Why This Text Matters | Black Theology and Black Power, Dwight N. Hopkins
  • Original text written and performed by Storm Stokes
  • Organ Toccata in C, Bach
  • A View from Above, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly
  • Focal, Dua Saleh
  • When you Believe, Michelle Pfeiffer

Video: This Was James Cone’s Question as He Was Developing Black Theology from Union Theological Seminary, YouTube
Text: Excerpt from Nawal El Saadawai’Woman at Point Zero; Original writing by Storm Stokes
Dancer(s): Mary Burdick ’26, Makenzie Hymes ’26, Pippa LaMacchia ’26, Gisel Sonnier ’27, Jadi Wang ’26, Taylor Yamashita ’24*

Production Team

Lighting Designer: Tess James
Costume Designer: Storm Stokes in consultation with Mary Jo Mecca
Body Casting Prototype Designer: Julia Stahlman in collaboration with Storm Stokes
Production Stage Manager: Mary-Susan Gregson
Stage Manager: Andrea Cibelli
Sound Operator: Iz Fuerter
Run Crew: Jake Rosenthal
Student Run Crew: Moses Abrahamson ’25*, Tierra Lewis ’24*
Costume Stitcher: Wyatt Kim
Student Costume Stitchers: Tanaka Ngwara ’24, Anne Xu ’26, Isabel Yip ’25, Charlotte Young ’27

* denotes a certificate/minor student in the Program in Dance

Faculty Choreographic Advisors

Rebecca Lazier, choreographic advisor
Davalois V. Fearon, production and choreographic advisor

 

Special Thanks

i, heresy would not have been possible without the gracious support of the Alex Adam ’07 Award. I want to extend the deepest thanks to the Adam Family giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, and to Mary O’Connor for her invaluable support facilitating this program. To my advisors Davalois Fearon and Rebecca Lazier: thank you for believing in me, challenging me to keep asking questions, and encouraging me to try and try again. To my collaborating material artist Julia Stahlman: thank you for being my ‘yes- man’ when we received advice to choose another material pathway, and for dedicating your time and talent toward my vision. To my brave cast: thank you for your absolutely remarkable work ethic, attention to excellence, and ongoing commitment to one another. Congratulations on this presentation of your incredible growth from our process. Most importantly, thank you for your commitment to knowing each other—caring for each other—and loving each other. Your joy in each other carried me through our latest rehearsals and my latest nights in preparation for this moment. To Vince for his thoughtful and caring approach to the work. To Matt, Mary Sue, Chloe, Tess, Mary Jo, Steve, and the rest of Production and Communication support: thank you for your flexibility and solution-oriented support, and creativity when faced with the unconventional requests of this production. Lastly—thank you to my personal advisors: Camryn Stafford for her guidance and generous assistance of final rehearsal direction, and my parents for their incessant encouragement.

          i, heresy
live a way                           ward
from the ruins
          ruined                               living
breeds liberated ontologies,                          rah
    a prophecy for what we could have believed
       if we were not lied to
                              if I was your center.
i, a hypothesis for the future –
i, a heresy from the past,
woman
femme
i,               queer                , present reckoning.
  poor
            enslaved
                          black
    (there can be miracles, when you believe).

— Storm Stokes

 

Land Acknowledgement

We invite you to learn more about:

 

Lewis Center for the Arts

Chair: Judith Hamera
Executive Director: Marion Friedman Young

Acting Director of Program in Dance (Spring 2024): Professor of the Practice Rebecca Lazier
Acting Associate Director of Program in Dance (Spring 2024): Professor Susan Marshall

View a list of the Program in Dance Faculty & Guest Artists

For a look at all the people working behind the scenes to bring you this event, view a list of LCA staff members

Event Poster

Program

Download the program (PDF file)