Fist and Heel Research to Performance

Through travel and ethnographic research, Wilson incorporates performance practices of the African diaspora into his choreography, and in so doing updates the research-to-performance methodology of Zora Neale Hurston, Katherine Dunham and Pearl Primus from mid-century.

Reggie Wilson in Moses(es) by Peggy Woosley, Choreographer : Reggie Wilson, 2013, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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"Silver tinsel strewn on the floor and split in the center is the one obvious nod to Moses parting the Red Sea. But soon, Wilson opens his suitcase stuffs it full of tinsel, in preparation for his own journey."
EYE ON THE ARTS, NY-Celia Ipiotis

Reggie Wilson - site sensitive rehearsal (2016) by Artistic Director/Choreogrpaher: Reggie Wilson and Photo credit: Aitor MendilibarReggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

Wilson in process and conversation

Wilson experimenting in nature with Raja Feather Kelly; developing material for a solo in the full-length work, CITIZEN (2016). Keeping in conversation with the performers is an integral component.

SHOUTing Rings by Reggie Wilson performed by Muntu Dance Theatre REHEARSAL, Facilitator: Reggie Wilson, 2000, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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The rehearsal process allows the choreography to develop to the point where the dancers become more comfortable with the nuances in rhythm, weight, direction and pelvic alignment.

Big Brick: a man’s piece, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, 2004, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Big Brick: a man's piece was created in consideration and relationship to the men in Wilson's family and the working class in Milwaukee.

Reggie Wilson masterclass (2014) by Choreographer: Reggie Wilson and Photo credit: Jamie KrausReggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

Keeping in conversation...

Wilson's masterclasses are opportunities to continuously keep in discussion with dancers.

CITIZEN - solo Raja Feather Kelly, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, Photo credit: Aitor Mendilibar, 2016, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Experimenting in nature, in other site-specific locations, and in the studio yields ideas and different kinds of context for the performer.

Choreographic Research, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, 2016, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Experimenting with site-specific movement and working with cinematographer, Aitor Mendilibar created footage projected in the full-length evening work, CITIZEN (2016).

MANCC Residency Reggie Wilson (2012) by Photographer: Chris CameronReggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

Research  supports movement development in the studio

Focused residencies facilitate studio rehearsals to develop movement, and to craft and fine-tune ideas and research information into movement.

The Good Dance - Reggie Wilson, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, Choreographer: Andréya Ouamba, 2009, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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The Good Dance-dakar/brooklyn was a collaboration of the choreographers Reggie Wilson (brooklyn) and Andréya Ouamba (dakar). It included research of the Mississippi River and the Congo River.

Reggie Wilson (2012) by Photographer: Chris CameronReggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

Value of Feedback: Tracking Cohorts

Wilson invited students, interested individuals and groups to track the creation of his work Moses(es). This kind of engagement and feedback deepened the performance material.

Reggie Wilson Choreographic Investigation, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, 2016, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Site-specific experiments in video with cinematographer Aitor Mendilibar. Movement material done in different locations and seen from different angles offered new possibilities and choices.

Community Shout at Dartmouth College, Fist and Heel Performance Group, Artistic Director/Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Wilson engages with communities and shares information from his research. Here attendees of a community engagement activity at Dartmouth College are learning how to execute a basic Ring Shout.

"the duet", Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, 2012, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Wilson revisits his own work to reflect and re-examine ideas and to discover new questions connected to his practice. This work is a "revisitation" of the original 1997 work, The Dew Wet.

they stood shaking while others began to shout, Choreographer: Reggie Wilson, 2018, From the collection of: Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group
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Reggie Wilson / Fist anf Heel Performance Group

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The past, present, and future of the Black experience in the United States
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