Urban Bush Women: Twenty years of African American dance theater, community engagement, and working it out

Nadine George-Graves*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportBook

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Provocative, moving, powerful, explicit, strong, unapologetic. These are a few words that have been used to describe the groundbreaking Brooklyn-based dance troupe Urban Bush Women. Their unique aesthetic borrows from classical and contemporary dance techniques and theater characterization exercises, incorporates breath and vocalization, and employs space and movement to instill their performances with emotion and purpose. Urban Bush Women concerts are also deeply rooted in community activism, using socially conscious performances in places around the country-from the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, and the Joyce, to community centers and school auditoriums-to inspire audience members to engage in neighborhood change and challenge stereotypes of gender, race, and class. Nadine George-Graves presents a comprehensive history of Urban Bush Women since their founding in 1984. She analyzes their complex work, drawing on interviews with current and former dancers and her own observation of and participation in Urban Bush Women rehearsals. This illustrated book captures the grace and power of the dancers in motion and provides an absorbing look at an innovative company that continues to raise the bar for socially conscious dance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
PublisherUniversity of Wisconsin Press
Number of pages230
ISBN (Print)0299235548, 9780299235543
StatePublished - 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities

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