why i had to dance: a Choreopoem Premiere

written by Ntozake Shange
choreographed and directed by Dianne McIntyre

Thursday, February 9, 2012, 8 p.m.
Friday, February 10, 2012, 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 11, 2012, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $8 Public, $6 Seniors/OC Staff & Faculty, $4 Students (purchase tickets)
All tickets $3 more at the door
Location: Hall Auditorium (directions)

Poet, novelist, and playwright Ntozake Shange’s “why i had to dance” propels the audience into the world of dance through the poet’s experiences. Shange describes it as “The story of black dance herself… the connectedness of black dance from one generation to another generation and from one region to another region, moving all around the dance world from my childhood on.” Experience the world premiere of this animated journey of dance through time, over generations and across geography brought to life on stage. “why i had to dance” is written by Shange and choreographed and directed by Dianne McIntyre.

The evening opens with “Unexpected Journeys,” another new piece choreographed by McIntyre with Oberlin College student collaborators. Oberlin Associate Professor Caroline Jackson Smith will direct.