The Gathering:
A Collective Sonic Ring Shout
June 1st, 2024
2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Opera House at the Kennedy Center
The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout is a musical quest —powered by possibility—that will have you singing, dancing, and shouting. After a sold-out show in Harlem’s world famous Apollo, described as “Uniting art & social justice” by Playbill Magazine, the concert is launching its inaugural performance in Washington D.C at The Kennedy Center.
A genre-bending concert with visionary artists Nona Hendryx, Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Joel Thompson, Carlos Simon, Courtney Bryan, and Troy Anthony, The Gathering features 80 members of the American Composers Orchestra conducted by Chelsea Tipton, II and 48 members of NEWorks Voices of Inspiration chorale under the leadership of Nolan Williams, Jr.
With creative concept and direction by National Black Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, and produced by National Black Theatre and The Apollo, “The Gathering” stands as the highlight of The Kennedy Center’s week-long celebration showcasing the convergence of orchestral, choral, gospel, and soul music. Guided by the poetic eloquence of Mahogany L. Browne, this American musical treasure is a modern tribute to the power of art as a vehicle for liberation, social justice, and a drum beat summoning the power of possibility.
Program
Through orchestral, choral, gospel and soul choral music, this one-night-only event is the signature celebration for The Kennedy Center’s Conflux partnership with the National Black Theatre (NBT) running May 26 - June 2, 2024. The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout will take us on a sonic quest produced by National Black Theatre & The Apollo. Taking place in the Opera House at The Kennedy Center, The Gathering will center the soul of Black folks and the heart of America's brilliant and bitter present.
With Creative Concept and Direction by NBT’s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, and featuring featuring 80 members of the American Composers Orchestra conducted by Chelsea Tipton, II and 48 members of NEWorks Voices of Inspiration chorale under the leadership of Nolan Williams, Jr. this night will feature the DC premiere of “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by Joel Thompson alongside Carlos Simon’s “Amen!” and Courtney Bryan’s “Sanctum.” In conjunction with these pieces, the night has been curated in the African tradition of call and response to include original works by genre-defying Black artists such as Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Troy Anthony, and Nona Hendryx. The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout was originally performed to a sold out audience at The Apollo in Harlem, New York 2022.
“Unites Art and Social Justice Through an Ancestral Black Tradition.”
– Hayley Levitt, Playbill Magazine
Leading Artist
Jonathan McCrory
Creative Concept & Direction
Jonathan McCrory is a Tony nominated producer, two time Obie Award-winning, Harlem-based artist who has served as Executive Artistic Director at National Black Theatre since 2012 under the leadership of CEO, Sade Lythcott. He has directed numerous professional productions and concerts which include: How the Light Gets In (NYMF), Klook and Iron John (NAMT), Dead and Breathing, HandsUp, Hope Speaks, Blacken The Bubble, Asking for More, Last Laugh and Enter Your Sleep.
He has worked at ETW at TISCH NYU with Emergence: A Communion and evoking him: Baldwin and at Suny Purchase directing Exit Strategy, & A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes. He has been acknowledged as an exceptional leader additionally through Craine’s New York Business 2020 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives.
Featured Artists
Troy Anthony
Courtney Bryan
Mahogany L. Browne
Abby Dobson
Nona Hendryx
Toshi Reagon
Carlos Simon
Joel Thompson
Chelsea Tipton – Conductor
Maleek Washington
Nolan Williams, Jr. – Choirmaster
Creative Team
Jeff Aldrich – Lighting Designer
Katherine Freer – Projection Designer
Efrem Jenkins – Sound Designer/Engineer
The Gathering:
A Space For Narrative Change
The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout will be prefaced by The Kennedy Center’s Conflux partnership with the National Black Theatre from May 26 to June 2, 2024.
The week-long festivity, dubbed The Gathering: A Narrative Change, will offer a vibrant array of dance workshops, art exhibits, panel discussions, and creative workshops suitable for all ages. These events draw inspiration from the historical Ring Shout tradition, leading up to the grand finale concert.
Partners
This performance is co-produced by National Black Theatre and The Apollo in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rental Office.
Funders
The Gathering: A Sonic Ring Shout is made possible in part by our brilliant funders.
