The Auditorium Opens New Season with Return of Award-Winning Step Afrika! in the Chicago Premiere of “The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence”
The Auditorium, Chicago (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive), will open its 2024-25 season with the return of Washington, DC-based Step Afrika!, in the Chicago premiere of its signature, full-evening length production, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, for one performance only, Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Step Afrika!’s, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence (2011), charts the story of African Americans moving from the rural South to the industrial North to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings in the early 1900s. Inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s iconic 60-panel, The Migration Series (1940-41), this signature work from the award-winning dance company uses the images, color palette, and motifs in the painting series to tell this astonishing story through pulsating rhythms and visually stunning movement. Notably, the work features live musical accompaniment performed by celebrated musician Lionel Lyles (on saxophone and flute) alongside drummers Agyei Edwards and Abdou Muhammad, in addition to vocals by Ariel Dykes (Step Afrika! member), Briona Jackson, and Kanysha Williams performing an updated version of the classic spiritual, Wade in the Water, arranged by Greg Watkins.
“Audiences were literally on their feet last year, marveling at the incredible stepping performed by this important American dance company. We’re honored to launch our Auditorium 2024-25 season with Step Afrika! back on our stage, offering a historic work that pays tribute to the strength of the Black American migration story, and the role the City of Chicago played as a welcoming place to call home,” said Rich Regan, CEO of The Auditorium.
Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary season, Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. The company, under the leadership of its founder & executive producer, C. Brian Williams, its executive director (and Chicago native), Lamar Lovelace, and artistic director, Mfoniso Akpan, last performed at the Auditorium to great acclaim in January 2023. Chicago is one of only five cities in which The Migration will tour as part of the Step Afrika! 30th Anniversary season.
Tickets for The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence at The Auditorium on Saturday, October 19, start at $29.00 and are now on sale by visiting www.auditoriumtheatre.org or calling The Auditorium’s Call Center at 312.341.2300.
