Forbidden by Definition Blends Dance, Race, and Language

Friday Feb. 28 & 29

Forbidden by Definition is a mutli-media production from a collection of young African Americans responding to society's perceived images of them. This production – created and directed by Marquis Wallace – will include dance, theater, singing, along with stage and costume design.  

This community-driven Black History Month production is in its second year. Students from East Middle School are collaborating with groups like the Booker T. Washington Center, Dafmark Dance Theater, Sovereign Ballet, Erie Dance Theater, offering an extensive variety of entertainment. 

The sole purpose of this event is to expose – and respond to – the problematic situations that continue to occur in the African American community. These can be brought about due to the picture that society inevitably paints, while each individual has a different picture to paint due to how they define what's going on around them through the use of their own language.  

Unfortunately, when people are defined by these outside perceptions and placed into categories or given titles that they then adopt as their own, it threatens their integrity, self-worth and humanity as a whole. Because of this, African Americans are forced to create their own definitions of themselves in their own language. This event specifically looks at our black youth who have the ability to redefine the outlook of the African American community through a contemporary response. 

In short, this performance will inspire and uplift anyone in attendance and hopefully start to invoke the positive thoughts that should be had in response to Black communities both near and far instead of focusing on the plight that has and continues to be emphasized. -Symoné Crockett

Doors at 5, Show starts at 6 // East Middle, A Community School, 1001Atkins St. // $10 // forbiddenbydefinition.brownpapertickets.com/