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June 7 - July 14, 2024

Step Afrika!

"A show that needs to be experienced: a blend of incredible movement, rhythms and singing."

— DC Theatre Scene

Inspired by the iconic 60-panel painting series, Step Afrika!’s The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence tells the story of one of the largest movements of people in United States history—when millions of African American migrants moved from the rural South to the industrial North in the early 1900s to escape racial oppression. The award-winning company’s signature work combines its hallmark style of percussive dance-theater with the paintings’ images, colors, and motifs to bring history to life through pulsating rhythms and stunning movement.

The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence is presented through generous funding from Reg Brown and Tiffeny Sanchez and made possible by  with additional support provided by B. Thomas Mansbach

We are grateful to Destination DC for their promotional support of this production.

From Migration to Movement

From Migration to Movement: The Legacy and Future of the Black Church
Since the 1700s, the African-American church has shaped culture and communities throughout the United States. Join us in celebrating its profound legacy and enduring impact with a thought-provoking event followed by a powerful performance.

Date
Saturday, July 6, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Schedule
11:00 a.m.: Begin the morning with a civic conversation featuring esteemed community leaders.
12:30 p.m.: Come together to enjoy a delicious catered box lunch from What The Chef!
2:00 p.m.: Conclude the day with a matinee of Step Afrika!’s captivating The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence.

Tickets
Panel + Lunch + Performance: $80 
BUY HERE!

Use Promo Code CHURCH (if not already applied), select your performance seats in the Kreeger Theater, and then continue to checkout.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sales Office at 202-488-3300, Tuesday – Sunday, 12 – 8 p.m.

Company

KENNETH L. ALEXANDER

NYA CHRISTIAN

JEROD COLEMAN

ARIEL DYKES

KEOMI GIVENS JR.

LEANDER GRAY

JORDIN GREENE

KAMALA HARGROVE

BRIONA JACKSON

NEPRI JAMES

TERRENCE JOHNSON

AGYEI KEITA-EDWARDS

CONRAD R. KELLY II

LIONEL D. LYLES II

ABDOU MUHAMMED

ISAIAH O'CONNOR

NA'IMAH RAY

VALENCIA ODEYKA EMONNI SPRINGER

ERICKA STILL

BRIE TURNER

JOSEPH VASQUEZ

PELHAM WARNER JR.

ROBERT WARNSLEY

GREG WATKINS

KANYSHA WILLIAMS

Creative

C. BRIAN WILLIAMS

LAMAR LOVELACE

MFONISO AKPAN

JAKARI SHERMAN

MARIANNE MEADOWS

Production Photos

Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by William Perrigen.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by William Perrigen.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by William Perrigen.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by William Perrigen.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by William Perrigen.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by Jati Lindsay.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by Jati Lindsay.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by Jati Lindsay.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by Jati Lindsay.
Photo of Step Afrika!’s "The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence" by Jati Lindsay.

Videos

The Migration In The News

THE WASHINGTON POST

How Jacob Lawrence’s paintings inspire shows for the stage

NBC 4 WASHINGTON

Step Afrika! celebrates their 30th anniversary at Arena Stage

FOX 5 GOOD DAY DC

Step Afrika!’s 'The Migration' heads to Arena Stage

METRO WEEKLY

Step Afrika! Pays Swaggering Tribute to Jacob Lawrence

DC THEATER ARTS

The inspiring triumph of Step Afrika!’s ‘The Migration’ at Arena Stage

Maryland Theatre Guide

"…a glorious synthesis of dance, music, and the visual arts…The cast is simply magnificent."

MARYLAND THEATRE GUIDE

‘A Quick 5’ with C. Brian Williams, Founder and Executive Producer of Step Afrika!

BROADWAYWORLD

"The dance troupe gives it their absolute all, showing off inhuman stamina as they weather the performance’s acrobatic and polyrhythmic demands in perfect sync..."

 

THE WASHINGTON POST

The summer’s dance performances get curiouser and curiouser

THE ROCK NEWMAN SHOW

Step Afrika! on Rock Newman 2.0

A THEATRE-GOER'S THOUGHTS

"...has taken two-dimensional art works and given them kinetic energy to tell a story through movement, music, and stagecraft, with a degree of precise detail that is exhilarating to experience."

TALKIN' BROADWAY

"...vivid and one-of-a-kind viewing experience."

NBC 4 WASHINGTON

Juneteenth celebrations in the DC area

DC THEATER ARTS

Step Afrika!’s masterpiece ‘The Migration’ returns to DC at Arena Stage

Special Performance Notes

Weekday Matinees
Wednesday, June 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 27, at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3, at 12:00 p.m.

Early Curtain
Sunday, June 30, at 6:00 p.m.

Southwest Nights
Friday, June 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 14, at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 11, at 8:00 p.m.

Post-Show Conversations
Wednesday, June 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20, at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 27, at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3, at 12:00 p.m.

Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m.

Mask-Required Performances
Tuesday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3, at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 7, at 2:00 p.m.

The Phillips Collection Staged Reading
Arena Stage and Step Afrika!, in community partnership with The Phillips Collection, invite audiences to experience a staged reading of five 10-minute plays commissioned in response to the painting series. The program will be held at The Phillips Collection on June 13, 2024, at 7p.m., followed by a discussion with the reading’s cast.