FREE - Opera Workshop Performance - Ian Askew - Artist Residency - August 18, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Please note: the artists have requested that masks be worn during the event. Hubbard Hall will have masks available. 

By Ian Askew 
Join us Friday, August 18 for a FREE workshop performance and artist discussion of this new opera in our Freight Depot studio!

FREE - Pre-registration is recommended, seating is limited.

Sorry John Henry the song has no end is an experimental opera inspired by a 1940 Broadway production of John Henry which closed only 5 days after its New York premiere. The musical starred Paul Robeson in the title role alongside a notable cast including Ruby Elzy, Josh White, and Bayard Rustin. The project resurrects archival text, music, and images to reconsider stories of land, labor, and freedom that weave through the many renditions of the popular folk tale. Director Ian Andrew Askew, along with project collaborators, will offer a presentation for the project still in development. Collaborators include Joshuah Brian Campbell, mace dent johnson, Dyani Douze, Eden Girma, Jasmine Wilson, Khari Lucas, Kiara Benn, and Cheyanne Williams.

Ian Andrew Askew is an artist working in music, theater, and performance. Iterations of their project SLAMDANCE have been presented at The Performing Garage and published online by The Kitchen. Other recent projects include Until Other Times at JACK and Frequency by Justin Allen with Yulan Grant at The Chocolate Factory. As a sound artist alongside Camila Ortiz, they have created scores for work by Christopher Myers, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Joie Lee, and Kamal Nassif. Ian co-sound designed and performs in KLII (Walker Art Center, REDCAT, Chelsea Factory/Public Theater). As an associate with opera directors Zack Winokur and Kaneza Schaal, Ian has presented work with Lincoln Center, The American Repertory Theater, The Metropolitan Museum, Detroit Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, LA Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Carolina Performing Arts.

This artist residency was support by a grant from NYSCA.