Lacina Coulibaly Program

Photo by Lance Reha

Hakili Sigi Until the Lion Tells the Story...

MAR 28-30, 2024

Choreographed, Directed, and Performed by Lacina Coulibaly

Music by Rhythm Rose (Doudou N’Diaye Rose), Mountain Love Dance (Jack De Johnette& Foday Musa)

Sound Composition by Kimathi Moore (Vibrations Rituelles & Magie Ethnique sounds will be used and modified).

Lighting Design by Roderick Murray

Costume Design by Oumar Ouedraogo

Set design by Sylvestre Akakpo and Lacina Coulibaly

Stage Manager: Madison Ellis

Creative Strategy and Producing Consultant: Marýa Wethers

Run time: 45 mins

FUNDING

The Live Feed creative residency program is supported in part by Partners for New Performance. Commissioned premieres created within the Live Feed program are cornerstones of every season at New York Live Arts. Live Arts’ 2023-2024 season confronts the current critical moment, in which the changing social, political, and cultural tides call to deepen its vision as a conduit for engagement through art. This project was supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant.

SPECIAL THANKS

To all at New York Live Arts, Bill T Jones, Bjorn Amelan, and Janet Wong; the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at Yale; ANIKAYA; Daria Fain; and my family (wife, daughter, and son).

Enjoy this presentation and your experience at Live Arts?

Please consider making a donation so we can continue to support artists like this and their critical work!

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We acknowledge and pay respect to Lenape people, elders, and ancestors past, present, and coming in the future. We acknowledge Indigenous people who may be present right now. We acknowledge and offer deep gratitude to Lenapehoking where we are now - the land, and waters of the Lenape homeland.

ARTIST NOTE

A Manifesto for Africa in seven scenes

In a way, Until the Lion Tells the Story… is my Manifesto for Africa. It is my firm belief that Africa (currently consisting of 54 countries) has the capacity to build itself up, drawing upon its own indigenous knowledge, its abundant resources, and its resilient people.

Scene One: The Ritual

A sacred initiation guiding us toward the path of responsibility, provision, protection, and generation. Embrace these qualities and embody them in our actions.

Scene Two: The Warrior/King (Queen)

Take center stage. Evoke the spirit of self-determination, trust, and unwavering confidence. There is no shame in walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, who were creators, innovators, and guardians of our heritage.

Scene Three: Building

Construct a future that serves our own interests, rather than building and extracting for the benefit of others.

Scene Four: Confinement, Persecution, and Incarceration

Remember the challenges and obstacles we have faced throughout history and continue to face today. Overcome. Learn.

Scene Five: Keep Building

Persist in our efforts to build a better Africa, built by and for ourselves. We are capable and resilient.

Scene Six: Reactivation and Reinvention

Keep honoring our roots/traditions in order to truly grow. Spiritual reawakening and self-transformation must accompany progress and development.

Scene Seven: Incarnation and self-made

Embody the essence of each scene through personal and collective action.

This Manifesto is a dance -- a pledge, a plea, and a love letter to Burkina Faso, to Africa and to my fellow Africans.

Lacina Coulibaly

Photo: Maria Baranova

Photo: Leandro Justen

BIOGRAPHIES

Hakili Sigi is an artistic company that seeks to bring together and explore all forms of body motions. The name originates from the Bamanan language, “Hakili” represents the power of ideas and memory, while “Sigi” signifies the importance of anchoring and establishing oneself. Through artistic, political, and philosophical lenses, HakiliSigi means anchoring ourselves to our traditions and drawing inspiration from our roots to architect our future free from any imitation. Like a wellrooted tree, being firmly grounded enables growth and resilience. The company’s unique philosophy focuses on choreographic research through diverse disciplines, emphasizing rigorous training and cultural exchange to enhance growth and preserve uniqueness. The goal is to contribute to social progress and human development. Our commitment lies in using art to unite people physically and culturally, fostering connections that transcend differences. We value dialogue, research, and open-mindedness toward

diverse worldviews. Ultimately, we challenge the notion of civilization by celebrating beauty and cultural diversity.

Born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Lacina Coulibaly’s career as a professional dancer is deeply rooted in traditional African dances, which he has merged with contemporary influences to create a unique choreographic expression. As a teenager, he was a member of urban Dodo groups and later joined Les Bourgeons, a traditional dance and theater company, to explore his tradition. In 1990, he became part of the traditional dance company Kongo Bâ, and three years later, began studying contemporary dance with choreographer Lassann Congo. In 1995, Lacina co-founded Cie Kongo Bâ Teria with Souleymane Badolo and Ousseni Sako. Their creations, including Frères sans stèles (1999), Vin Nem (2001), and Hydou Bye (2004), have toured the world and won international awards. Since 2007, Lacina has conducted performance projects and

taught at several universities, including Yale University, Brown University, and New School. His unique blend of traditional and modern influences results in dynamic intellectual and artistic processes that intrigue and inspire young artists and audiences. Apart from his work with Kongo Bâ Teria, he has danced with other international dance companies such as Salia ni Seydou, Faso Danse Theatre, TchéTché, and Urban Bush Women. He’s also collaborated with individual artists Emily Coates (USA), Catherine Young, Wendy Jehlen, Kota Yamakazi, Vanessa Anspaugh, Daria Fain and Nora Chipaumire as assistant choreographer (Dark Swan on Urban Bush Women). Lacina developed Sigini, an analytical approach to West African Dance, which establishes three principles of conceiving, writing, and sculpting the art of making dance. Currently, Lacina is the artistic director of Hakili Sigi and on the faculty at Yale University. He has also been featured in documentary films and performed in various productions, showcasing his

unique dance style and artistic vision.

Madison Ellis is a freelance Stage Manager and is thrilled to be working with Lacina Coulibaly on this project! Selected recent credits include Nail Biter by Beth Gill, Carmina Burana with Nevada Ballet Theatre, Fall for Dance Festival at New York City Center, Jazz in July at 92NY, and touring with the Gibney Company across the United States and abroad. Madison has served as the Production Manager at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance where she also earned her BFA in Design Technology.

Oumar Ouedraogo is a Burkinabe fashion designer born in Bobo-Dioulasso. Since his early years, he has been fascinated by the fashion world, embarking on a journey across Africa to expand his knowledge and expertise. In 2013, after acquiring the necessary skills, he decided to create his own company called Mano Design. With an unrivaled eye for beauty and style, Ouegraogo’s revolutionary creations have

captivated the world of haute couture, allowing him to participate in several fashion shows such as Ciel Ouvert (Bobo-Dioulasso), Festival Bobo Art (Bobo-Dioulasso), Fescome in Banfora, December 11, 2021, in Banfora, Kéné Fashion 4 and 5, Bobo fashion week 3 and 4, Bobo lolo 2021 and 2022, Folie de Mode 2022, Festival Micéli 2022, and La nuit des mannequins 2022 and 2023.

Kimathi Moore was born in Paris, France in 1966 amidst a multicultural environment. Kimathi’s parents were very involved in social awareness, art, writing and traveling. During those days Kimathi traveled a lot and lived in Nigeria, Senegal (West Africa), France, Martinique and Guadeloupe. As a child, Kima always felt this acute sensitivity for certain juxtapositions of colors and sounds and as that feeling grew it would lead to him becoming a sound artist/percussionist. A major influence in Kima’s compositions are the works of painters Jacek Yerka and Remedios Varo (magic realism). Recorded sounds, which are

mostly field recordings, are meticulously reshaped to convey new impressions. While there are many other influences, the overarching theme is childhood.

Sylvestre K. Akakpo Adzaku is a New York-based choreographer, performer, and dance teacher originally from Togo, West Africa. He has presented his works and performed locally and internationally for over 15 years. During the 2007-2009 world tour with the French company La Compagnie Heddy Maalem, he performed in Le Sacre du Printemps at Joyce Theater and Jacob’s Pillow.

Sylvestre has worked with choreographer Souleymane Badolo since 2006 in Burkina Faso and the 2016 Bessie Award-winning piece Yimbégré at River to River Festival, BAM New Wave, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Sylvestre has worked with choreographer Nora Chipaumire since 2013 as a dancer, and studio assistant, and has been on a set design, Stage, and Tour Manager for her new Opera Nehanda 2021-2023.

Marýa Wethers has lived and worked in Lenapehoking (NYC) since 1997. She is the Director of the GPS/Global Practice Sharing program at Movement Research and works as an Independent Creative Producer & Curator. As a dancer, Marýa received a 2017 NY Dance & Performance (“Bessie”) Award for Outstanding Performance with the Skeleton Architecture collective. As a curator, she conceived and created the three-week performance series Gathering Place: Black Queer Land(ing) at Gibney Dance and curated for Mount Tremper Arts Watershed Lab Residency (2019 & 2018), Queer NY International Arts Festival (2016 & 2015), and Out of Space @ BRIC Studio series for Danspace Project (2003-2007). Her writings have been published in Configurations in Motion: Performance Curation and Communities of Color (2016 & 2015) organized by Thomas F. DeFrantz at Duke University and the Movement Research Performance Journal 25th Anniversary Issue #27/28 (Spring 2005). She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in Dance, minor in

Roderick Murray (lighting designer) has designed lights for dance and music since 1989 working with artists around the world including Kimberly Bartosik, Ralph Lemon, Benjamin Millepied, Kathy Westwater, NYCBallet, Lyon Opera Ballet, NWDance Project, Ethel, Phil Kline, Paul Simon, David Thompson, Yanira Castro, and many others. He is excited for this first collaboration with Lacina. He is currently the Director of Production for Beth Morrison Projects.

LIVE ARTS CONTRIBUTORS

New York Live Arts is deeply grateful to all the individuals listed below for their vital gifts to New York Live Arts over the last year:

$500,000 and higher

Anonymous

Slobodan Randjelović & Jon Stryker

$100,000-$499,999

Anonymous

Ruth & Stephen Hendel

Eleanor Friedman

Ellen M. Poss

Alex Katz Foundation

$50,000 - $99,999

Zoe Eskin

Helen Haje

Suzanne Karpas

Lorraine Gallard & Richard H. Levy

Barbara & Alan Marks

Matthew Putman

Jane Bovingdon Semel & Terry Semel | Semel Charitable Foundation

$25,000 - $49,999

Dance/NYC

David Dechman & Michel Mercure

Adam Flatto

William Floyd

Darnell L. Moore

Amy Newman & Bud Shulman

Andrea Rosen

Jonathan & Jennifer Soros

Diana Wege / Wege Foundation

$10,000 - $24,999

Anonymous

Jody & John Arnhold

Patricia Blanchet

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Paula Cooper

Claire Danes & Hugh Dancy

Agnes Gund

Alexes Hazen

Colleen Keegan

Michael Malafronte & Julia Haley

Julie Orlando

Ellen M. Poss

John Robinson

Wendy Smith

Nina Stricker

Pat Stryker

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Warner Bros. Discovery

$5,000 - $9,999

Derrick Adams

Rose C. Cali

Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the Arts, Inc.

Lawton W. Fitt

Jason Keehn

Robert Longo

Ellen Pechman

Randy Polumbo

Herb Ritts, Jr. Foundation

Thomas Rom

Cindy Sherman

Jeffrey Schneider & Jeffery Povero

David Schwartz Foundation

Catharine Stimpson

$1,000 - $4,999

Ayala Abrams

The Angelson Family Foundation

Derek Brown & Deborah Hellman

Kathleen Chalfant

Jeannie Colbert

Boykin Curry

Terence Dougherty & Pierre Duleyrie

Kimberly Drew

Emma Friedman-Cohen

Mimi Garrard

Sandy Gelfond

Sean Giancola

Michael & Deborah Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

Thomas & Barbara Gottschalk

Andrew Halliday

Kevin Harter

Tom Hennes

Barbara Hoffman

Jenny Holzer

Michael Houston

Laura & Richard Hunt

Judy Johnson

Bill T Jones & Bjorn Amelan

Andrew Keegan

Gavin Kenny

Esperanza Martinez in memory of Vicktorianna Gardner-Davis

Bella Meyer

Nancy Meyer & Marc Weiss

Susan Micari

Helen Mills & Gary Tannenbaum

Meridee Moore & Kevin King

Momoko Myre

Alessandra Nicifero

Scott Norman

Mark O’Donnell

Eric Oberstein

Buck Parson

Corey Robinson

Jordan & Laura Rogove

Erin Rossitto

Beth Rudin DeWoody

Dee Dee Sides

Wendy Smith in memory of Jon D. Smith

Mickalene Thomas

Robyn Trani

Billie Tsien & Tod Williams in memory of Yvonne Tsien

James A. Turrell & Kyung-Lim Lee Turrell

JP Versace

Kimberly Welch

Robert Zweig

$500 - $999

Jordan Baker-Kilner

Stefan Beckman

Fabian Bernal

Donald Bernstein

Saami Bloom

Michael Brady

Amanda Burden

Alexandra Chasin

Kent Cole

William Critzman

Antoine Drye

Kathaleen Duffin

Erika Ehrman

Elizabeth Frankel

Naima Green

Linda Hunt

Ted Kamoutsis

Otho Kerr

Michael Mizrahi

Michael Naimy

Cynthia Pearlman

Paul Pelssers

Robert Rosenberg

John Sansone

Martha Sherman

Ward Simmons

Ellynne Skove in memory of Nancy Topf

Deborah Swiderski

Emma Taylor

Wade Turnbull

Maureen Ellen Veitch

Anna Wheeler

Carol Yorke & Gerard Conn

Gifts and commitments between January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Support for New York Live Arts is provided by the Arnhold Foundation, Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ed Bradley Family Foundation, The Brant Foundation, Inc., Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the Arts, Dance/ NYC, Ford Foundation, Keith Haring Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Harkness Foundation for Dance, Marta Heflin Foundation, Alex Katz Foundation, Lambent Foundation, Alice Lawrence Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Muriel Pollia Foundation, National Performance Network, New England Foundation for the Arts, One World Fund, The Poss Family Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Jerome Robbins Foundation, The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, The Semel Charitable Foundation, Scherman Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Tides Foundation.

Corporate support for New York Live Arts includes Con Edison, Google, Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Public support for New York Live Arts is from National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

STAFF & BOARD

Artistic Leadership

Bill T. Jones

Artistic Director

Janet Wong

Associate Artistic Director

Programming, Producing & Engagement

Kyle Maude

Producing Director

Hannah Emerson Jernigan

Producer

Jessica Prince

Producing Associate

Production

Chanel Pinnock

Production Manager

Leo Janks

Lighting Manager

James Bennett

Audio/Video Manager

Megan Dechaine

Production Stage Manager

Tricia Navigato Assistant Production Manager

Creative Director

Bjorn G. Amelan

Community Engagement & Education

Bianca Bailey

Community Engagement & Education Manager

Communications

Tyler Ashley Director of Communications

Augustus Cook

Digital Marketing Manager

Hannah Seiden

Communications Manager

Taylor Adams

Front of House Assistant

Liliana Dirks-Goodman Graphic Designer

Pentagram

Pro-Bono Branding

Randjelović/Stryker Resident Commissioned Artist

Miguel Gutierrez

Executive Leadership

Kim Cullen

Executive Director & CEO

Ali Burke Chief of Staff

Development

Dave Archuletta Chief Development Officer

John Jahnke

Institutional Giving Manager

Nina Phuong Ha Development Manager

Julie Davis

Special Events & Donor Engagement Manager

Felix Reyes

Institutional Giving Associate

Finance

Nupur Dey Chief Financial Officer

Manathus Dey Finance Associate

Operations

Gregory English Operations Manager

Marcus Retegues Facilities Coordinator

Adalid Nunez-Mendoza Custodial Assistant

Human Resources

ADP TotalSource

Legal Services

Lowenstein Sandler, PC Pro-Bono Counsel

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

Barrington Hinds, Jada Jenai, Shane Larson, s. lumbert, Danielle Marshall, Nayaa Opong, Marie Paspe, Jacoby Pruitt, Huiwang Zhang

Front of House Staff

Taylor Adams, Julia Antinozzi, Ezra Mitchell, Jailyn Phillips-Wiley, Sabrina Herbosa-Reyes, Calley Luman, Cove Haselton, Campbell Ives, Paulina Meneses, Jessy Crist, Johnny Mathews, Ishmael Gonzales, Anna Ticknor, Cristina Moya-Palacios, Salma Kiuhan

Board of Directors

Stephen Hendel Co-Chair

Richard H. Levy Co-Chair

Helen Haje Vice Chair

Slobodan RandjeloviĆ Vice Chair

Alan Marks

Treasurer

Bill T. Jones

Artistic Director Ex-Officio

Kim Cullen

Chief Executive Officer Ex-Officio

Bjorn Amelan

Sarah Arison

Aimee Meredith Cox

LaToya Ruby Frazier

Charla Jones

Colleen Keegan

Darnell L. Moore

Amy Newman

Randy Polumbo

Ellen M. Poss

Matthew Putman

Jane Bovingdon Semel

Ruby Shang

Catharine R. Stimpson

Board Emeritus

Derek Brown

Terence Dougherty

Eleanor Friedman

Advisory Council

Margaret Doyle, Chair

Alberta Arthurs

Beverly D’Anne

Lisa Frigand

Jenette Kahn

Susan Micari

Alton Murray

Lorraine Gallard

Lois Greenfield

Martha Sherman