Shell of a Shell of the Shell

Shell of a Shell of the Shell

Exploring and revisiting the varied process of decolonizing the self as a point of departure, Rena Butler’s reimagines and abstract the narrative of the monolithic, titular character ‘King Kong’. Throughout the work, Butler poses the question “How does an environment force the configuration of the individual?” Through the contained scope of momentous imagery and buoyant tension, Shell of A Shell of the Shell will dissect themes of self-excavation in restrictive spaces to open the mind’s eye of cultural differences and the challenges one may face in operating under, building, and dismantling perpetuated systems or habits.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Rena Butler

Music Composition

Darryl J. Hoffman

Lighting Design

Dan Scully

Costume Design

Hogan McLaughlin

Premiere Cast

Jamaal Bowman, Amari Frazier, Donovan Reed, Keturah Stephen, Gianna Theodore, Olivia Wang

DURATION
21 minutes

PREMIERE
The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, Purchase, NY