Alanna Morris Returns to The Cowles Center with Black Light a re:Search performance

Via a recent e-announcment:

Photo credit: Canaan MattsonAlanna Morris returns to The Cowles Center February 4-6, 2022 with Black Light a re:Search performance, a collaborative solo project that doubles as a personal archive and research project. A copresentation with The Great Northern and Northrop, Black Light is available in-person and via livestream. Tickets are $20-$35, fees included. Live music will accompany the work. This show contains mature content and frontal nudity. Learn more at thecowlescenter.org/black-light.

“Many life transitions inspired this piece, and awakenings to new information that brought down old ways of performing ‘Alanna’ and relating to the cosmos and to the source of life,” shared the artist when describing the inspiration for Black Light. “This pandemic afforded me the life crisis of going into the quiet, the stillness, and the darkness. From there I am discovering vast information that I was not conscious of in my former life practice.”  

Morris achieves this reflection in the work through researching the nobility of Black-ness; the divinity of feminine creative energy; and the harnessing of sensual expression.  

Additionally, they are working with a team of esteemed collaborators—artists and cultural practitioners—who informed all aspects of Black Light a re:Search performance from research and development, to dance and design. Morris’ collaborators include Gabrielle Abram, Andréa Potter, Demetrius McClendon (Imagine Joy), Afoutayi Haitian Dance, and Music and Arts Co. Costume design by Trevor Bowen. Lighting design by Beaudau Banks.

Morris performed an earlier iteration of this project called Black Light re:Search during a virtual MERGES IN MARCH performance streamed in March 2021. This project builds on its earlier iteration and features live music. Cowles Co-director Jessi Fett reflects: “It is really special to be able to present Black Light a re:Search performance, and to have this wonderful privilege of presenting multiple works in this series by Alanna on our Goodale Stage.”

Black Light a re:Search performance is an expression of season and interwoven local and global identities. The work falls between contemporary, modern, and Afro-Diasporic dance genres. This is the first co-presentation between the Cowles and the Great Northern. Learn more at thecowlescenter.org/black-light.