Co-presented by Gibney Center and Lincoln Center

PURPLE: A Ritual in Nine Spells is an evening-length ritual choreopoem that embodies the power of deep sisterhood for social change through storytelling and movement. Inspired by beloved ancestor, playwright, poet, and feminist Ntozake Shange (best known for her Obie Award-winning play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide), and the public housing communities in San Juan Hill via the stories of its decades-long residents, PURPLE amplifies women and nonbinary voices and captures the radical joy in a place. The world premiere is devised and performed by Sydnie L. Mosley Dances, an NYC-based dance-theater collective that works in communities to organize for gender and racial justice through experiential dance performance. Danced by a multi-generational ensemble of twelve, the piece was developed in part through engagements with Lincoln Center Education and in connection with our neighboring community and the Amsterdam Houses. The work premieres alongside a pre-show multimedia art installation in the lobby; What Does PURPLE Sound Like? spotlighting older adults from our local communities.

Please note that COVID-19 protocols for this event have been updated from previously published protocols. For this event, face masks are required and individuals will be required to verify at the door they are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Performances on June 11, 17, and 23 will be reduced capacity audiences. Performances on June 9, 17, and 25 will feature ASL interpretation and Audio Description.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Guest Experience at 212-875-5456 or [email protected]