ROOTS: Let Us Play Tour
AN INTERACTIVE STORY TRACING THE HISTORY OF BLACK PERCUSSIVE DANCE IN AMERICA
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
International Museum of Dance is committed to producing culturally-significant dance exhibitions and has launched Roots: Let Us Play, the first in a series of interactive performances that explore dance as a connective thread through history, culture, and art. Opening in February 2025, with tour dates and locations to follow, Roots: Let Us Play features IMOD Artist in Residence Jason Nious and the award-winning body percussion ensemble MOLODI. This interactive performance traces the history of Black percussive dance in America, blending stepping and poetry to offer a healing journey that honors the significance of dance in Black culture.
This high-energy, interactive show follows the healing journey of a woman as she discovers her voice, strength, and identity. Roots: Let Us Play is designed to actively involve the audience, making them an integral part of the performance. Participants are encouraged to engage directly with the performers, express themselves, and explore connections to their own ancestry, regardless of their background.
Roots: Let Us Play is a 1.5-hour theatrical production featuring a six-person cast. The show takes one day of load-in and technical rehearsals before performances. Additional details are included in the full tech rider.
PERFORMERS:
Members of MOLODI, under the direction of IMOD’s Artist in Residence Jason Nious create a performance that embraces and incorporates the past, present, and future of stepping in contemporary American culture. The six performers are trained artists in body percussion coming from stage performances with Stomp, Cirque du Soleil, and more. Many of these talented artists were part of a voyage to Ghana, which changed their lives and opened their eyes to recognize themselves as “Africa’s forgotten children.” This expedition serves as the inspiration for Roots: Let Us Play.
Roots: Let Us Play debuts in 2025 with San Francisco in February and additional tour dates and location to-be-announced. The MOLODI ensemble also offers three educational options for students and educators in the form of assemblies, master classes, and professional development workshops for educators.
ARTS EDUCATION:
ASSEMBLY - The K-12 assemblies promote teamwork, discipline, leadership, and self-confidence in a fun, energetic atmosphere. Assemblies feature performance pieces from MOLODI’s repertoire including stepping and body percussion with insights into cultural histories of the art forms. MOLODI leads students through exercises in movement and rhythm. Beginning with a pledge of positivity, students will form their own step team that culminates in an inclusive and accepting competitive step show challenge. The session concludes with a Q&A session and a finale performance from MOLODI.
Student Body Numbers - Up to 300 Students
MASTER CLASS - This is a workshop for every level from the novice to the seasoned performer. Learn body percussion basics, time-keeping exercises, ensemble rhythm techniques, a blend of traditional and contemporary stepping choreography, and tools to create your own steps.
Student Body Numbers - Up to 100 Students
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Designed for K-12 teachers and administrators, MOLODI's professional development workshops teach educators how to use body percussion to transform a chaotic classroom into one of cooperation and creativity, filled with confident students. Through the art of stepping, participants will naturally incorporate teamwork and problem-solving while fostering social and emotional growth and belonging.
Educator Numbers - Up to 50 Educators
BOOK A PERFORMANCE with MOLODI Today!
CONTACT:
Book directly with the International Museum of Dance through Sanseria Murray, IMOD’s Artist in Residence Education Manager.
Call 323-788-2245.