The river speaks of thirst
Filmed performances of the album of poetry by Jaki Shelton Green
Directed by Kristi V. Johnson
TICKETS:
ON DEMAND one-time-use tickets available HERE
STUDY GROUPS can view On-Demand, during multiple viewing sessions.
After watching this performance, the audience will be moved by the impact and power of language through Ms. Shelton Green’s ability to metaphorically paint moving, vivid, and poignant pictures of the complexities of the African American experience.
On Sale now for instant viewing!
The Justice Theater Project is proud and honored to present The River Speaks of Thirst, a collection of audio poems written by Jaki Shelton Green documenting the real experiences of African American people past and present. In this unique production, each poem is a separate story/vignette using various mediums including music, dance, song, and dramatic interpretations to illustrate themes ranging from race, oppression, emancipation, religion, and grief. Director and Choreographer Kristi V. Johnson explains her vision, “As I listened to each poem, there wasn’t one that did not connect with some aspect of my upbringing as an African American woman growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Additionally, the poems about the young black men who died from police brutality reminded me of the anger, fear, and pain I feel as a mother of a young, brown boy. After speaking with Jaki, there were so many commonalities in our backgrounds, these stories became personal for me as well. Once I was able to draw connections between the material and my personal life, I intended to create a symbiotic relationship between the music, text, and movement that clearly illustrates the various themes within the work to enhance its accessibility for all audience members.”
ON DEMAND for Churches, Schools, Book Groups, Families, Study Groups: The video can be stopped and resumed again. Available from now until June. (NOTE: The video can not be restarted from the beginning, once you begin viewing). Purchases are on the Honor System. $10 Individual, $20 Family, $50 Groups of 10+
"The River Speaks of Thirst" brings 10 audio poems by NC Poet Jaki Shelton Green to your home through narration, dance, music, and outstanding videography. Each poem runs 4 to 7 minutes. (The entire film is one hour) Appropriate for high school students, and adults. Call 919-264-7089, email thejusticetheaterproject@gmail.com
Email us to learn more, purchase your group link, and plan YOUR group discussion today!
BUY and ON-DEMAND link HERE
Community Discussion “What is the Role or Mission of Poet Laureates?” NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, Carrboro Poet Laureate Fred Joiner, and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate CJ Suitt led a public discussion, facilitated by Jameela Dallis. LISTEN HERE
INTERVIEWS with Director Kristi V. Johnson
Credits:
Jaki Shelton Green - Poet, Creative Consultant
Kristi V. Johnson - Director and Choreographer
Carolyn Colquitt - Original Music Composer and Music Director
Laura Casteel - Videographer, Sound Editor, Video Editor
Jaylun Moore - Assistant Choreographer, Production Assistant
Dr. Asabi/Stephanie Howard - Collaborative Partner
Julie Moore - Costumer
Sandra DuBose - Narrator and Vocalist
Kimberly McCrae - Narrator and Vocalist
Travis Skits Simmons - Featured Dancer
Elizabeth Beilman, North Carolina Chamber Music Institute - Executive Director/Artistic Director,
North Carolina Chamber Music Institute Student Musicians - Tristen Johnson, Leena Hocutt Duarte, and Hrishikesh Ram
North Carolina Central University Theatre Department Students
North Carolina Central University Theatre Department Dance Students
Audio recordings are generously provided by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Filmed on location at the Eno River State Park and the NC Museum of Art
Musical Recordings for "Oh My Brother", "Communion of White Dresses" and "I Wanted to Ask the Trees" by Elizabeth Beilman for North Carolina Chamber Music Institute
Link to Jaki Shelton Green LP The River Speaks of Thirst https://jakisheltongreen.bandcamp.com/
Link to more news and information about Jaki Shelton Green www.jakisheltongreen.com
Support for The Justice Theater Project
The Justice Theater Project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of North Carolina. The Department of Cultural Resources is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations by the Raleigh Arts Commission and is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Additional support from Kymanox and Carol Woods Retirement Community.
Lydia Banuelos (Dancer) began her early dance training at the age of four at The Carolina Dance Institution in Smithfield, NC. Lydia is currently a junior Theatre major with a concentration in Dance Education. She has been a member of The Repertory Dance Company at NCCU for three years.
Elizabeth Beilman (Founding Executive Director, NCCMI/Musical Recordings for "Oh My Brother", "Communion of White Dresses" and "I Wanted to Ask the Trees") a native of Wichita, Kansas, is Co-Founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Chamber Music Institute (NCCMI), a unique and powerful program that fosters artistry in young musicians. In an average year, NCCMI groups perform for over 12,000 people in the greater Raleigh area. Ms. Beilman has also steered NCCMI toward national and international recognition; the NCCMI Trio Serio won a national-wide competition in fall 2020, while the Arioso Quartet won the only instrumental category “Elite” designation at the CCTV competition in Bejing, China (Summer 2018), featured on Chinese national television. In addition to her work as an innovative music educator and arts administrator, Ms. Beilman is a leading performing cellist within the state and region. She joined the North Carolina Symphony in 1988 and serves as the orchestra’s Associate Principal Cello. Frequently featured as a soloist and chamber musician, she is the founding member of the chamber music ensemble AURORA MUSICALIS, recorded on the Albany label. The Pulitzer-prize winning composer, Robert Ward composed “ECHOES OF AMERICA” for her chamber music ensemble. Ms. Beilman holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance from the Indiana University School of Music. Ms. Beilman maintains a thriving private cello studio and many of her students are now outstanding professional musicians throughout the world.
Laura Casteel (Videographer/Sound Editor/Video Editor) is a videographer and poet based in Durham, NC. She works primarily for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Follow her on Instagram at @casteel.laura or visit her website at casteelvideo.com.
Carolyn Colquitt (Original Music Composer/Music Director) is a friend of the Justice Theater Project beginning her partnership as music director for Black Nativity. Carolyn is a native of Gary, Indiana. She holds a BME from Valparaiso University, MA from Indiana University with post-graduate studies in Theatre at Vandercook School of Music. Carolyn is a career music educator presently with WCPSS. She is an accomplished pianist, vocalist, composer, musical theatre director, clinician, and church musician. Carolyn’s professional credits include performances nationally and internationally touring Europe, Israel, Italy, Russia, and the USA with the “Sounds of America”. Carolyn's local credits include The Justice Theater Project, NCT, Raleigh Little Theatre, NRACT, William Peace College, The Durham Savoyards, Baptist Grove Church Minister of Music and her band SmoothIvory.
Sandra Dubose (Narrator/Vocalist) is a dynamic and highly sought after national motivational speaker, author, actor, and R & B/ Soul Singer. She is a native of New York but has become a treasure in North Carolina affectionately known as the Bald Beauty Queen of Self-Esteem. Learn more at www.SandraDubose.com
Kimberly Gaubault (McCrae) (Narrator/Vocalist) holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, in the City of New York, with a concentration in Theology and the Arts. She is an international poet, performer and spoken word artist, infusing her art with social justice advocacy/activism.
Corinthius Giles (Speaker/Dancer) was born and raised in Goldsboro, NC. He has been acting and had a passion for the arts since he was a child. He is currently a sophomore studying Theatre with a concentration in Performance at North Carolina Central University. This is Corinthius’ first JTP production.
Jayah Gomez (Dancer) is a native of Brooklyn, NY. She has been dancing since the age of nine and received her early training from Devore Dance Center. Jayah is a sophomore Mass Communications major and Dance minor at North Carolina Central University. This is Jayah’s first year in The Repertory Dance Company at NCCU.
Jaki Shelton Green (Ninth Poet Laureate of North Carolina) is the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate. She is a 2019 Academy of American Poet Laureate Fellow, 2014 NC Literary Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009 NC Piedmont Laureate appointment, 2003 recipient of the North Carolina Award for Literature. Jaki Shelton Green teaches Documentary Poetry at Duke University Center for Documentary Studies and has been named the 2021 Frank B. Hanes Writer in Residence at UNC Chapel Hill. Her publications include: Dead on Arrival, Masks, Dead on Arrival and New Poems, Conjure Blues, singing a tree into dance, breath of the song, Feeding the Light, i want to undie you. On Juneteenth 2020, she released her first LP, poetry album, The River Speaks of Thirst, produced by Soul City Sounds and Clearly Records. Jaki Shelton Green is the owner of SistaWRITE providing writing retreats for women writers in Sedona Arizona, Martha’s Vineyard, Ocracoke North Carolina, Northern Morocco, and Tullamore Ireland
Leena Hocutt Duarte (Violinist) is a 16-year-old violinist who attends the Acellus Academy. Recent accomplishments include being accepted into National Youth Orchestra-USA's 2021 season and being awarded paid seats to Curtis Institute of Music mentorship program. For summer study, Leena has attended Sphinx Performance Academy & European Music Institute, among others. She currently studies with Pavel Illyashov.
Jaylan Ivery (Speaker/Performer), a California native, is a junior Theatre major at North Carolina Central University. He started his acting career in high school with a performance in the production, Pirates of Penzance. Since that time, Jaylan has had roles in productions such as The Wizard of Oz and All Shook Up. This is Jaylan’s first JTP production.
Kristi Vincent Johnson (Director/Choreographer), a Louisiana native, is a performer, choreographer, creative director, and educator. She has worked with many artists such as Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Joe Alegado, Gaspard Louis, and Baba Chuck Davis. Her work has been commissioned by the Ernie Barnes Foundation and the American Dance Festival. Kristi has been with JTP in various capacities for over five years performing and choreographing for such productions as The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Black Nativity. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at North Carolina Central University and the Artistic Director of The Repertory Dance Company at NCCU. Kristi Vincent Johnson received her MFA in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University and her Doctor of Education in Kinesiology from UNC Greensboro.
Tristen Johnson (Cellist) a 16-year-old student at Longleaf School of the Arts, joined NCCMI in 2020. With just four years of experience as a cellist, he has performed at acclaimed venues including Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Festival Hall. He was also selected for the National Youth Orchestra- USA’s 2021 season. A student of National Yaffe, he hopes to one day become a cello soloist.
Destinee Mackey (Dancer) is a sophomore at North Carolina Central University majoring in English and minoring in Dance. Destinee discovered her love for dance at the age of six and has been dancing ever since. Destinee hopes to one day open her own studio where she will teach others how to heal through dance and self-expression.
Aisha Mayo (Dancer) is from Hillsborough, NC and is a senior at North Carolina Central University studying General Theatre Arts. Aisha received early training in dance in a hometown dance studio growing up and throughout high school. In 2018 Aisha became a member of the Repertory Dance Company at NCCU introducing her to the pre-professional world of dance. Aisha is very active in NCCU’s theatre arts program as she gains experience in acting and stage management.
Jaylun Moore (Asst. Choreographer/Production Asst.) is from Fuquay-Varina, NC and is the Co-founder/Director of “Five Fifteen Dance” based in NC. Jaylun has 7+ years of professional dance experience performing, teaching, and choreographing throughout the east coast. Although she finds her home in contemporary dance, she is a versatile artist, also holding a passion for writing and dance film.
Julie Moore (Costumer) has been sewing "forever” and took up costuming to help support her daughters' dance habit. She has costumed productions for Durham Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, City Ballet of Wilmington, Acting Up, and Barriskill Dance Theatre School. She has also sewed costumes for Carolina Ballet, as well as for individuals and other dance schools. When she is not sewing costumes or doing alteration and personalization magic for brides, she enjoys hanging out with her extremely patient husband, three amazingly nice teen daughters, two adorably useless lap dogs, and one surprisingly social dwarf hamster.
Hrishikesh Ram (Pianist) is a senior at Enloe High School in Raleigh. As an NCCMI musician since 2018, he is a Leadership Ensemble member of the Harmonía Piano Quartet and has been a past member of the Fantasma Piano Trio. A frequent solo competition winner, he is a student of John Herrmann of the Cary School of Music.
Travis Simmons (Featured Dancer) known as “Skitz” is from Charlotte, NC and is a graduate from the Mass Communications program at NCCU. Travis found dance through the “Broadway Experience” with the Blumenthal Theatre, has performed in many arts festivals, won many tournament battles in the street dance community, and has worked in the entertainment industry. Travis is also a choreographer & videographer and uses both skills to produce stories through visual art.
Sydney Sloane (Dancer) began her dance journey at the age of 3 at her home studio Dance Etc. in Woodbridge, VA and attended high school at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Sydney is a senior Kinesiology major at North Carolina Central University and has been a member of The Repertory Dance Company at NCCU for four years.
Foye D Thornton III (Speaker/Performer), a Durham native, is a Theater Major at North Carolina Central University with a concentration in Performance. He started acting in Hillside High School’s award-winning theatre program under Wendell Tabb. He has been in productions such as Glory of Gospel, Blues for An Alabama Sky, and Blood at the Root. This is Foye’s first JTP production.
