The Civilians presents SHOWING UP, a free livestreamed evening of music and performance inspired by photographer Accra Shepp’s portraits of Black Lives Matter activists. In the spring of 2020, Shepp began taking portraits of first responders; these images became the first chapter “Contagion” of his Covid Journals shared on Instagram, a second chapter “Hunger,” and then, as historic activism filled the streets of New York, a third, ongoing chapter, “Justice.” The Civilians interviewed some of the activists depicted in Shepp’s “Justice” chapter, each photographed at various Black Lives Matter gatherings in NYC. SHOWING UP, directed by Colette Robert, draws on these interviews to create performances by actors, and original songs by various artists. A conversation with Accra Shepp frames the evening. 

SHOWING UP will be hosted by Nidra Sous la Terre

With Actors:
Becca Blackwell
Cecil Blutcher
Sheldon Best
Marsha Stephanie Blake

And Songs By:
Rashaan Carter, vocals: Anaïs Maviel
Jacinth Greywoode & Rebecca Hart
Jamie Lozano, performed by: Javier Ignacio, mixed by: Demián Cantú
Katie Madison & Jarret Murray, performed by Katie Madison and Deborah Cowell

The event is co-presented with the International Center for Photography, and Alice Austen House, and with the collaboration of the Alfred Stieglitz Society at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

The creative team of SHOWING UP also includes stage manager Fran Acuña-Almiron, video director Sadah Espii Proctor, dramaturg Phoebe Corde, associate dramaturg James La Bella, and associate producer Sarah Boess. Interviews were conducted by Jesse Baxter, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Bailey Jordan Garcia, Dee Harper, Matt Maher, and Riley Tollen.

SHOWING UP is part of The Civilians annual cabaret series featuring new works made from creative investigations into real life; the series is supported by The Axe-Houghton Foundation.

For more information about Black Lives Matter please visit https://blacklivesmatter.com/