
![]() Reggie Wilson makes work that honor tradition. For his company, Fist and Heel Performance Group, Wilson premiered Moses(es) as part of BAM’s Next Wave Festival (December 4-7) and, not unlike his other works, for Moses(es), he breaks the fourth-wall and immediately welcomes the audience into the space. At the top of the show, Wilson introduces himself, and then one by one, the others follow offering their name, birthplace, and time with the company. Long-time company members Rhetta Aleong (22 years) and Lawrence A. W. Harding (20 years) drew especially loud applause. In telling his story of Moses, Wilson’s picture is framed with many components—there are obvious references to Moses and the Red Sea, or not, but, for sure, there are reminders. The bright red costumes with white polka dots, the compelling lyrics that come through in songs, and the incessant lines of bodies replacing bodies, are only a few. Wilson, Aleong and Harding are the voices throughout. In guttural drawls they sing “…Moses…don’t get lost…in the Red Sea…find your rod and come across…” here, we can choose to “see” the crossing, or wait until the end, when the six sweaty bodies fall flat on their backs in an “X,” then we could confirm that they didn't’ survive, or not. What is accurate however, is Wilson has a way of bringing the audience into his stories because they stand firm.
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February 2025
AuthorI am a performer, historian, consultant and dance writer. I am a Empire State College's online program Center for Distance Learning. I am also a former faculty member at The Ailey School and the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University dance major program, Hunter College, Sarah Lawrence College (Guest), Kean University and The Joffrey Ballet School's Jazz and Contemporary Trainee Program. I write on dance for The Amsterdam News, Dance Magazine and various publications. Click below to read more about me at my home page - "About Me." |