What is the WITNESS Trilogy?

WITNESS takes the audience on a journey through time and form, depicting the Black march towards equity, in three standalone sections - YESTERDAY, TODAY, and TOMORROW. However, the continuity of its design, themes, overall arch, and props - iron collars, chains, handcuffs, and bungee - and how the dancers relate to them makes the  WITNESS Trilogy:

• YESTERDAY portrays the dehumanizing brutality of slavery in America. Shackled in chains, the dancers illustrate the fierce need to flee captivity as the bungee pulls them back into bondage.

• TODAY tackles the disparity in the criminal (in)justice system and its effect on African-American families. Using the dancers’ Black bodies as a canvas, projections enhance storytelling in TODAY to confront the current racial climate. Chains hang above like dark clouds, while self produced films and computer generated images are projected onto the dancers' bodies.

• TOMORROW, with the use of customized trampolines, depicts liberated Black bodies.  We ask artists and audiences alike to envision a future that many of us do not believe is possible and plot a course to get there. During TOMORROW, we break the chains and fly.

WITNESS is a transformative work that empowers, educates, and inspires change. Through its compelling content, innovative form, and educational components, it is a catalyst for much needed conversations about racial equity in America.

Why Your Support Remains Critical

The successful Apollo debut demonstrated the vital importance of this work. Your contributions directly support:

- Artist Compensation: Ensuring fair payment for our predominantly Black artist and technical team

- Artist Wellness: Supporting our performers with Intimacy Direction and physical therapy

- Production Sustainability: Maintaining our specialized equipment and sets

- Future Impact: Enabling more communities to experience this transformative work

Fundraising Goals

We aim to raise $300,000 by December 31st. Here’s how your contributions will be allocated:

• Personnel & Salary: $233,500

• Artists Wellness: $13,000

• Production: $6,000

• Props & Equipment: $18,500

• Rent & Travel: $11,500

• Administrative: $9,500

• Marketing: $1,500

• Fundraising: $2,000

• Professional Services: $1,000

• Utilities: $3,500

Looking Forward

The WITNESS Trilogy's success at The Apollo is just the beginning. With your support, we can:

• Honor our commitments to our dedicated artists and technical team

• Maintain our innovative equipment and sets

• Explore opportunities to bring this powerful work to more communities

• Continue building on this momentum for future productions

A Proven Investment

The sold-out performances at The Apollo demonstrated the profound impact of WITNESS. As a marginalized group creating empowering, transformative art, we've shown what's possible with community support. Now, we need your help to fully realize the financial commitments that made this historic achievement possible.

Join us in building on this historic success. Your support ensures that powerful stories like WITNESS continue to reach the audiences who need them most

Photo by Ida R. Sandness

Photo by João Menegussi

Call to Action

Join us in celebrating 10 years of groundbreaking work!  Your support is crucial in bringing the WITNESS Trilogy to life. Click the "Donate Now” button and be part of this transformative experience.

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Share the Campaign

Champion this journey by helping! Share our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Use the hashtag #WITNESSTrilogyNYC to join the conversation.