Dance student presents virtual performance of 'Her Brown Body is Glory' for Juneteenth celebration

In celebration of this upcoming Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day, in honor of the day that emancipated the last of the enslaved African Americans in the United States — Arizona State University graduate dance student Hannah Victoria Thomas will present a virtual showing of her work “Her Brown Body is Glory.” 

The performance originally premiered in November 2019 as part of the School of Film, Dance and Theatre’s Emerging Artist series. 

“The main reason for this was to create a space where black women can come together to dance, talk and heal,” Thomas said of her thesis project when the show premiered last fall.

“The impact this thesis made in my life, the lives of women in my cast and the audiences that weekend has been immeasurable,” she says now. “I’m very honored.” 

She hopes the work will continue to have an impact by sharing it on Facebook Live this Friday.

“The world is in a learning posture about racism and black stories in America,” Thomas said. “I knew now would be a wise time to give one of many perspectives of trauma, racism and the black woman narrative through dance. On one hand, the black woman is the most disrespected, unprotected and neglected in America. On the other hand, we have been the most resilient, innovative and glorious despite every curve ball thrown at us. My hope is for people to learn something new, reflect and sit with it and let it change the way they perceive the resilience of every black woman they come in contact with.”

Virtual showing of “Her Brown Body is Glory” 

Friday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. via Facebook Live

https://www.facebook.com/events/257724398982147/ 

To watch: Respond “Going” to the event or show up to the Facebook Page at the time of the performance.