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ZAZ: The Big Easy is an immersive sensory performance that shifts traditional viewing practices beyond just sight and sound. The performers embody the oral histories and recorded experiences of survivors of Hurricane Katrina. They perform in tap shoes, hard-soled shoes, gumboots, and barefoot, creating a rhythmic score that supports the narration woven into the performance. These stories are conveyed through speaking, singing, rapping, and projections, creating a unique experience that transports the audience to New Orleans and breaks down the boundaries of the fourth wall. Conceived by Ryan K. Johnson, an acclaimed 2024 Guggenheim Choreography Fellow and recipient of the prestigious 2024 New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project production grant, this choreography-led performance intricately weaves soundscapes and cutting-edge media technology with vibrant percussive dance. This world premiere includes choreography by Ayodele Casel, Michelle Gibson, and Quynn Johnson with musical arrangements by Tamar Greene of Hamilton, Broadway company. (90 mins. no intermission)IMAGE CAPTIONZaz: The Big Easy, photo: Jonathan Hsu.
