The Ritual of Breath Is the Rite to Resist

An opera in seven movements.
A series of offerings in community.
A call for justice.

The Ritual of Breath Is the Rite to Resist – a documentary short

A transdisciplinary project, The Ritual of Breath Is the Rite to Resist is a creative act of resistance in response to the killing of Eric Garner. Centering the voice and plea of an activist/daughter/ soprano, the opera interweaves music, text, visuals and movement, gathering us together as co-conspirers. The project involves community activations and gatherings that center collective healing, joy and Black life in each community where the work is performed.

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Creative Team

Jonathan Berger, Composer
Enrico Riley*, Visual Artist
Vievee Francis, Librettist

Kamna Gupta, Conductor
Niegel Smith, Director

Neema Bickersteth, Co-Choreographer
Trebien Pollard, Co-Choreographer
Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Consulting Choreographer

Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson, Choir Director

Dr. Shamell Bell, Co-Social Impact Director
Gwen Carr, Co-Social Impact Director

Bryan Joseph Lee*, Community Producer, NYC

Kim Whitener/KiWi Productions, Creative Producer/Tour Producer
The Flea Theater, Associate Producer

Designers & Production

Peter Nigrini*, Scenic & Projection
Reza Behjat, Lights
Gabriel Berry, Costumes
Camilla Tassi*, Associate Projection Designer

Brian Freeland, Production Manager
Jason Kaiser, Stage Manager

Cassey Kivnick, Assistant Stage Manager
Jean-Louis Thauvin, Sound Engineer
Carla Thomas, Wardrobe Supervisor
Emanuel Cohen, Supertitle Operator
Maimouna Camara, Company Manager
Rachel Isaacs-Falbel, Hopkins Center Company Manager

Featuring

Neema Bickersteth, Soprano (Neema/Erica)
Trebien Pollard, Dancer (Eric/Many more)
Isaiah Robinson, Lead Chorister (Isaiah)
Greg Ward, Saxophone (Eric)
Fung Chern Hwei, Violin
Titilayo Ayangade, Cello
Mikael Darmanie, Piano
Bonnie Whiting, Percussion

Choir
Members of Sing Harlem, Mama Foundation and Dartmouth College Gospel Choir

Producers, Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth
Mary Lou Aleskie, Howard Gilman Executive Director
Joshua Price Kol*, Executive Producer / Managing Director
Jan Sillery, Producer / Director of Financial Operations
Michael Bodel, Producer / Director of External Affairs

NYC Community Activation & Impact Team
Jahtiek Long, Associate Community Producer
Sidney Erik Wright, Associate Community Producer
Amber Wylie
Sofia Pavan Macias
Ashlee Robinson
Annie Branch*

*Denotes Dartmouth Alumnus/a

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Updates & Events

Ritual in Rome

Feb 19 & 20

On February 19 & 20, we will partner with the American Academy in Rome to share Ritual of Breath as a presentation and day of community gatherings in alliance with the Coordinamento Antirazzista Italiano.