While You Sleep 

(An Excerpt from a Jouvay Dream)

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This performance created for the stage, is adapted from a portion of my original short story titled, While You Sleep. The story was inspired by a statement from Barbadian poet, Kamau Brathwaite who spoke of the need for a ritual to keep the souls of the millions of enslaved Africans who perished in the waters during the transatlantic journey from coming back to haunt us. 

The story takes place during Carnival season somewhere in the Caribbean. The main character, Ele, a young poet, has surreal nightmares every year during this season. Though each dream is full of symbols and meaning that are somewhat recognizable, Ele seeks insight on the meanings of the dreams from elders in the community. The closer it gets to J'ouvert (Jouvay), the spirt of the ancestors in the dreams become less troubled.  

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VIDEO 1: performed at the Source Theater in Washington DC as part of my Capital Artist Residency with Cultural DC. It was scored live by Abdou Muhammed. January 2023.

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VIDEO 2: 

I was joined by Xander Crook on percussion who scored this performance. 

 

This performance was made at the Nordic Black Theater, Oslo, Norway

March 2019