Camille A. Brown Instagram – Contributing my voice to @terence_blanchard ’s beautiful and haunting music for Fire Shut Up In My Bones @metopera conducted by @nezetseguin , creating movement language for Kasi Lemmons’ libretto, sharing the story of celebrated writer @charlesmblow , and co-directing with James Robinson, with whom I had the pleasure of working on Porgy and Bess, has been a dream.
As director, I wanted to play with abstraction and time travel, capturing the psyche of Charles, his inner turmoil, and his tussles with Destiny and Loneliness. We treated each scene as though it were one of those aged Polaroid pictures—static in time, with the only breath being Charles, walking us through his journey, the pictures shapeshifting as we follow him. Isolated both spiritually and physically, it was important to show Charles’ struggles, his longing for peace, and his search for a savior—only to realize that his savior was himself, the younger version of himself, giving him grace and resolve.
Fire illuminates themes of perseverance and resilience—both hallmarks of the Black experience. We don’t break, we sway. We never give in.
I am humbled and honored to be a part of this show that is inviting audiences into a vulnerable and poignant story.
At one point in history, Black people were not allowed to perform on the Met stage, and even more so, were not able to authentically portray our own narratives. The full spectrum of our real lives were unseen. But we did not break.
Once invisible, now beautifully and vibrantly visible. Past, present, and future, we sway.
Shout out to the choreo team- @rickeytripp (Associate Choreographer) and @maleek_washington (Assistant Choreographer) and Assistant Directors, @mayor__franklin @rajendraramoonmaharaj Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Camille Hayes. THANK YOU for being on this journey with me!!! To the beautiful dancers and cast, THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDACIOUS WORK! | Posted on 27/Sep/2021 22:53:17
