Yale Repertory Theatre has invited choreographer and artistic sociologist Ralph Lemon to renew his status as associate artist so that he may begin exploring the second part of his "Geography" trilogy. The work will be titled "Geography, Part 2: Asia."
"Geography, Part 1: Africa" -- an unconventional blend of poetry, dance, installation art, live percussion and sound -- premiered at the Yale Rep last fall before touring nationally. Central to the work was Lemon's expression of "being American, African, brown, black, blue black, male, and artist."
"Geography, Part 2: Asia" will continue beyond the racial and cultural disparity of black Americans and Africans, drawing its themes from Lemon's study and practice of Asian spiritual models. The work will investigate the Asian spiritual sensibility as viewed by an American black man who practices a traditional form of Asian Buddhism. Much of the development process will take place in Asia, where Lemon will engage performers and collaborators from India, China, Taiwan and Japan.