TRISK PRESENTS… TEETH by Jamal Jackson Dance Company

October 17, 2023
BROOKLYN, NY -- Trisk is delighted to present Jamal Jackson Dance Company’s premiere of TEETH at Triskelion Arts, November 9-11 and 16-18 at 8PM. TEETH is a dance and theater work that takes a classroom of young students on a journey to explore their identities, experiences, and roles in shaping the United States of America during its quest for independence at the end of the 18th century. This piece uses movement and text to form “mirrors and windows;” creating an avenue for young people to explore history from different perspectives.

During their Curriculum Study Unit on George Washington, Ona, William, Giles, and Margaret are visited by a Griot Tooth Fairy. They are transported in time where they see their connections to the Battle of Trenton, the various communities within the 13 colonies, as well as their close relationships with Martha and George Washington. As the first student loses his loose tooth, the Griot Tooth Fairy says…

Within these molars lie the history
Of those who created this story
There will be no chapters written about them
No selfies on coins No statues carved from the earth
No documentation of their birth
But their spirit will be felt
Through their heart-felt speech
A bond despite the bonds
A connection through teeth

These children embody their past as former enslaved members on Mount Vernon, but more importantly see their past selves as humans who achieved greatness in building community despite their enslavement. Giles, one of the few people who traveled all 13 colonies, helped keep families connected, William Lee, crossed the Delaware to help win the war, Ona Judge, defied her enslavers, (The Washingtons) escaping bondage to start a new life.

The voices of these particular people and so many others are heard within Washington’s many speeches. Their teeth were purchased and fashioned as dentures for Washington so that he could deliver addresses to the nation. This story focuses on their impact on our democracy.

RUNTIME: 60 minutes with no intermission.

TICKETS
NOVEMBER 9-11
8PM
NOVEMBER 16-18
8PM

EARLY BIRD:
$20 / $16 HEARTS for Queer Trans BIPOC / $30 SUPERFAN
AT-THE-DOOR:
$25/ $30 SUPERFAN

All ticket purchases support the artist presenting work. Our SUPERFAN ticket supports the artist presenting work and subsidizes our $16 tickets for Queer Trans BIPOC.
All seating is general admission.

Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC) was founded with the purpose of fusing various Traditional African dance styles with Modern techniques and diverse contemporary music styles to create a new, unique technique that is relevant to a multifarious community. The movement and storylines of JJDC choreography focus on redefining ideas of community and blurring divisive lines, while still celebrating the beauty of individual cultures.

“Erupting into motion, Jamal Jackson steadily travels with short sequences of West African movement. His bottled rage alludes to a journey of healing that’s never quite complete.”
-Emeri Fetzer Dance Enthusiast

www.jamaljacksondancecompany.org

Triskelion Arts, lovingly referred to as Trisk, is a nonprofit organization and live performance venue, offering NYC-based dance and movement artists high-quality, sustainable opportunities to create and present work. Trisk partners with artists creating trailblazing work that broadens the cultural dialogue and elevates its community’s many voices and perspectives. Trisk is a home for artists and audiences to connect, to make art happen, to make magic. Trisk presents artists practicing, crafting, mining, experimenting, speaking up, and speaking out. 

Trisk Presents is made possible with generous support from the Howard Gilman Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, the Harkness Foundation For Dance, NYC City Council Discretionary Funding, and NYS State Assembly Discretionary Funding.

www.triskelionarts.org/fall-2023-season
www.triskelionarts.org

Triskelion Arts
106 Calyer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Enter on Banker Street

MEDIA CONTACT:
Miriam Rose
miriam@triskelionarts.org