Two-for-One Special

The Florida State University School of Dance is proud to present Two-for-One Special, a combined showcase of choreographers Dedrick Gray and Calypso May Haddad in partial fulfillment of their Master of Fine Arts in Dance degrees. Audiences are invited to experience the culmination of their individual research on the evenings of February 25th and 26th, 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre in Montgomery Hall, located on the FSU campus.

Dedrick “D.Banks” Gray R3Mx: An Embodied Structured Mixtape is a work in progress performance comprised of six movements and visual tracks about Black Linguistics. The Inspiration for R3Mx sprouted out of Ebonics and embodies African American Social and Cultural Practices, i.e., narratives, composition, and rhythmic speech patterns. The work features DJ HeadphonzE (Tallahassee native), Danie Etienne, Music by JLin and Kojo, and Co-Visual Directors/ Collaborators, Linxin “Kisa” Li, Scribbles, Sim, and Colby Thadd

In this performance, Gray examines the theory and philosophy relative to the African American Vernacular Experience. He takes the audience on a journey of storytelling through identity, rhythm, community, and spirituality of Blackness. Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN” and Duke Ellington’s “Black, Brown, & Beige” guided Gray’s process to tell HIStory of Blackness in America.

Calypso Haddad’s behind the table confronts the linage of American Musical Theatre dance and questions the narrative of its predominately male-dominated history. Seen through the lens of an imagined pre-production workshop, this piece examines who receives credit in the creation of Broadway choreography and how performers’ embodied culture is both appropriated and dismissed at the discretion of the creative team. With original music by Jacob Fjeldheim, behind the table utilizes collaboration with the cast to recreate and emphasize the frustrations of being “just another body” in the world of theatre dance.

Dedrick “D. Banks” Gray is an artist of many genres. His work in the field of dance and entertainment primarily focuses on themes surrounding Hip Hop and the African Diaspora. His artistic practice ranges from choreographing, marketing consulting for artists and entrepreneurs, teaching dance from community to collegiate level, producing, which he is a 1/3 creator of The Loop Showcase, and collaborating on various projects pertaining to dance and performance. He has worked and trained under Onye Ozuzu, Moncell E. Durdan, Camille A. Brown, JSun Howard, Gwen Welliver, Jawole Zollar, and Ron K. Brown.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat at https://bit.ly/SODMFA3