Community Conversation with Bill T. Jones: Is there a “We”?

Bill T. Jones, along with invited guests, and those gathered in attendance, will explore the importance of community and belonging, and the notion of collective redemption in a conversation moderated by Vivian Phillips. Participants will be encouraged to bring their ideas and questions about what makes a community strong, and to explore what responsibilities we have to one another in a community. 

These questions are also being explored in a presentation of “What Problem?” a work by Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Company, which will be presented at Meany Center on March 24–26. Learn More

Co-presented by LANGSTON and Meany Center for the Performing Arts. 

This event is free.

RSVP HERE

NOTE: While mandates are lifting in Washington State, we are still asking that masks be worn at all times inside the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping us all safe and healthy.

Panelists

Bill T. Jones choreographed and performed worldwide with his late partner, Arnie Zane, before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982. He has created more than 140 works for his company. Jones is Artistic Director of New York Live Arts, an organization that strives to create a robust framework in support of the nation’s dance and movement-based artists through new approaches to producing, presenting and educating.

Jones is recipient of the 2014 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award; 2013 National Medal of Arts; 2010 Kennedy Center Honors; a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography of the critically acclaimed Fela!; a 2007 Tony Award, 2007 Obie Award, and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Callaway Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; the 2010 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award; 2007 USA Eileen Harris Norton Fellowship; 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Seven; 2005 Wexner Prize; the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; 2005 Harlem Renaissance Award; 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; and a 1994 MacArthur “Genius” Award. In 2010, Jones was recognized as Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and in 2000, The Dance Heritage Coalition named Jones “An Irreplaceable Dance Treasure.”

Vivian Phillips is a veteran arts producer, marketer and civic advocate. Over the years, she’s moderated conversations with Harry Belafonte, Gloria Steinem, Magic Johnson, Ta-Nehesi Coates, Ruby Bridges and many others. Her passion for culture has led to partnerships with arts organizations on five continents.

Dr. Ed Taylor is the vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the University of Washington. He oversees educational opportunities that advance and deepen the undergraduate academic experience including First Year Programs, experiential learning programs, academic advising and support, educational assessment and the Honors Program. Taylor is a professor in the College of Education and his research and teaching center on comparative education in the U.S. and South Africa, moral dimensions of education and integrative education, and leadership in education and social justice. Taylor earned his Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the UW.

Lauren Flemister is the Deputy Director at City of Seattle, Office of Planning and Community Development. She joined the office in 2018, where she has focused on coordinating station area planning with Sound Transit, as well as expanded focus on prioritizing equitable development in OPCD community planning projects. Before joining the City of Seattle, Flemister worked for the cities of Tacoma and Auburn, and in private sector architecture and planning in Houston. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate Architecture degree from Princeton and three graduate degrees from the University of Texas (Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Public Affairs).