Location
New Orleans, LA
Artist
David Roussève/REALITY
Project Title
Halfway to Dawn
Fiscal Year Awarded
2018
Grant or Program
National Dance Project Presentation Grant
Grant Amount
$8,000

Halfway to Dawn: The Strayhorn Project is an evening-length dance/theater work
choreographed/written/directed by David Roussève that weaves dance, music, sound,
video, text, and intricate lighting to uncover the deeper ‘truths’ of African American
gay jazz composer Billy Strayhorn’s life (1915-67) while creating a dialogue on
urgent social issues of our own. While celebrating the artistry of a little known
musical genius, the work creates conversations around race, sexuality, and the danger of placing the quest for fame ahead of personal freedom.