December 4 & 5

Exhilarating rhythms reverberate through the theater as a chorus of step dancers transforms the stage into a powerful expression of resilience, memory, and survival. In Try/Step/Trip, New York writer, poet, and performer Dahlak Brathwaite draws from his own experience navigating the criminal justice system to create a riveting fusion of theater, music, and movement. As step becomes both ritual and resistance, Brathwaite confronts his own struggle to be truly seen in a society that too often reduces Black men to stereotypes.

Known for blending spoken word with incisive social commentary, Brathwaite crafts performances that are deeply personal and profoundly resonant. The traditions used in Try/Step/Trip include Black fraternity stepping and the evolving history of Black American music — both becoming vehicles for reclaiming identity, dignity, and self-definition. Directed by Roberta Uno and featuring choreography by Toran Moore, the acclaimed piece is an unforgettable theatrical experience that pulses with urgency, compassion, and hope.