Choreographer’s Note Hi everyone! I am so excited for you all to view this virtual production of Black Anthology. The dancers, cast, and executive board did incredible work to make the show happen despite the current state of the world. I have participated in Black Anthology since my freshman year of college, and it has been one of the central parts of my undergraduate experience. Some of the most creative people I know from Wash U I met through BA. I have also made some great friends and I know we will all keep in touch and come back to St. Louis for future BA productions. This year, dance operated much differently than usual due to specific rules Wash U had regarding group physical activity. Normally we meet every Saturday on campus in a dance studio to rehearse but this year we held every rehearsal on Zoom. This format made teaching and learning choreography much more difficult, but the dancers adapted very well. The dancers also had to dance individually (even in group dances) and their individual videos were edited together to form the final product you will see tonight. I would like to thank my assistant choreographer Hannah Stevens, who edited two of the dances, as well as Spelman student, Gabrielle Morse, who edited the other two. I think the themes of this year’s production of Black Anthology show what we all need during a time like this. We must hold onto the things we find most important and appreciate the people who matter most to us. At a time when we have had to let a lot of things go, I think many of us have discovered what is most essential. To be the choreographer of Black Anthology for three years in a row after dancing in the show my freshman year has been eye opening, challenging, and the biggest gift. I will miss sleepy Saturday morning rehearsals, post-exec board meeting chats with Sophia Kamanzi and Dean Diallo, and seeing everyone’s hard work come together on stage. I cannot believe this is the last time I will ever be a part of the process, but I cannot wait to see what future executive boards come up with. I hope you all enjoy the show!
Julia Stewart, Choreographer Black Anthology 2021 10
