By Gene Lambey
Special to the AFRO
“The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout” is being presented at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from May 26 through June 2. (Courtesy image)
The National Black Theatre and the Apollo Theatre collaborated once again for the musical preformance, “The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from May 26 through June 2.
Director of the program, Jonathan McCrory and composer, Carlos Simon, both born in Washington, D.C., spoke with the AFRO on the significance of “The Gathering” and the importance of this year’s theme, “Uniting Art and Social Justice.”
McCrory explained to the AFRO that the origin of the production, first performed at the Apollo Theatre in 2022, was a response to the “orchestral pieces” of contemporary artist like Joel Thompson’s “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed,” Carlos Simon’s “Amen,” and Courtney Bryant’s “Sanctum” and their struggles with Black culture in America.
“What people will engage with seven sonic pieces, going on a sonic quest that is answering that question: What does restoration look like today as we gather together?” said McCrory.
McCrory formed this production with two elements in mind: the foundation of gathering and the ring shout. He described a gathering as, “holding a space that allows us to heal some of the forgotten aspects of us, of who we are,” repairing the Black family tradition.
Regarding the ring shout, McCrory said he saw it as an opportunity for Black communities to become more connected spiritually.
“The Gathering” features a wide variety of music in Black culture such as gospel, classical, alternative, country and more. Simon noted to the AFRO that the wide range of music reflects Black America and its diversity. Simon noted that the orchestra at the helm of “The Gathering” production, the American Composer Orchestra, consists of contemporary classical composers.
“It is important to note that the composers that are represented, including myself, Joel and Courtney, we’re classified as contemporary classical composers but we draw on a of musical styles,” said Simon. He briefly mentioned the range of musical instruments for this performance such as wind, string, bass and percussion.
The National Black Theatre and the Apollo Theatre are touring together for this production. CEO Sade Lynthcott, of the National Black Theatre, and CEO Michelle Ebanks and executive director Kamiliah Forbes, of the Apollo Theatre, worked together to form this long-standing collaboration.
The timing of “The Gathering” and this year’s theme, “Uniting Art and Social Justice” are things McCrory wanted to elaborate on as this is an election year.
“When we think about where we are as a country, we think about the civic engagement that is needed and necessary in our country,” said McCrory. “In order to make adequate changes that would help to heal our society and our people forward, art is at the forefront of it.”
McCrory hopes that his production encourages social engagement and empowers the Black community.
“If there can’t be dialogue, there is no discourse. Without discourse, we are working in a monologue and not in a union,” said McCrory, discussing the social justice impact of the production.
McCrory was born and raised in Washington, D.C., with his music-oriented family in Northwest. Simon, born in Southeast and coming from a lineage of preachers, moved with his family to Atlanta at 10, growing up there. He moved back to D.C. in 2019. Both McCrory and Simon knew and honored the Kennedy Center as a place where their craft would not only be recognized but would be appreciated by the Black community.
“The Gathering” is not only a musical movement advocating for liberation and social justice, and an exploration of Black culture but features a week-long family friendly program called A Place for Narrative Change. It consists of several workshops and events on the Kennedy Center campus throughout the week-long performance.
The production will be performed in the Kennedy Center’s Opera House from May 26 through June 2.
Gene Lambey is a resident of Washington, D.C., who focuses on community issues.
