Pulling Back the Curtain: Remastered Premieres at The Southern

The Southern Theater to Premiere the First Program of the New AMPLIFY Series

Pulling Back the Curtain: Remastered uses dance to make the marginalization of African-American people visible

The Southern Theater’s AMPLIFY series begins September 20-22 with Pulling Back the Curtain: Remastered, a dance show that makes visible the marginalization of African-American people. Each of the choreographies explores themes of oppression, survival, joy, and healing. Created by the collective PBC Nation, the show features the choreographies of Gabby "The Baddie" Abram, Peace Madimutsa, Nehemiah Lucas, and Rayna Bell, and is curated by Gabriel Blackburn.

This group of artists have previously collaborated on an initial version of Pulling Back the Curtain and have continued to expand and develop the production. As PBC Nation, they have collaborated to choreograph two pieces at the beginning and end of the show. These bookends explore self-awareness and showcase individuality within a collective. The pieces were built first from conversation, which then went through stages of improvisation, setting movement material, and revising. Curator Gabriel Blackburn shared, “This came so easily because we all felt comfortable listening and speaking. When one person had the flood everyone respected that and was fully engaged.” Through each of the pieces in Pulling Back the Curtain: Remastered, as well as the additional community events and intentional talkbacks, PBC Nation creates a space for artists freedom of expression, inspires conversations, and engages a diverse audience.

Other shows in the AMPLIFY series are: A Cripple’s Dance Oct 18-20, Hit The Wall November 14-17 and Ancestral Origins: An Afrofuturist’s Exploration of Joy and Beauty.  AMPLIFY was created to give voice and platform to underrepresented stories.  Through movement, music, and narrative, AMPLIFY artists will use their art to share stories that represent the many voices that make up a community. “Art is a powerful way to connect,” says Acting Executive Director Janette Davis. “Our hope is that these performances will spark important conversations, open up minds, and share perspectives.”

This inaugural year of the AMPLIFY series will feature four stories from African American, disability, and LGBTQIA+ communities.