octavia

Octavia Butler was the most prominent of few African American Science Fiction writers. In 1995, after living in poverty for many years, she earned a "genius grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, awarding her $295,000 and new expanded notoriety for writing adventures such as Kindred, where a 20th century black woman travels back in time to slavery, and Adulthood Rites, where humans and extra terrestrials live together experiencing mystical other-worldly situations. Finding similarities in character personalities, powers, adventures, and moods, STAYCEE PEARL dance project creates a world colored by Butler's storytelling sensibilities and an interpretation of Butler's own life.

Premiere: December 2011, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh
Sculptural Installation Debut: May 2012, First Voice Black Arts Festival, August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh
Revised Version Filmed: April 2014, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh

Staycee R. Pearl / Lead Artist
Herman B. Pearl / Sound Designer/Engineer
Scott Nelson / Lighting Designer

Touring Cast – 4 Dancers

40 minutes

OCTAVIA is made possible by the generous support of the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Heinz Endowments, the Heinz Small Arts Initiative, and the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater.