D/U is an interdisciplinary performance project initiated by collaborative artists: Raquel Monroe (Chicago), Barber (Detroit) Esther Baker-Tarpaga (Philadelphia), Heidi Wiren Bartlett (Pittsburgh), Courtney D. Jones (Boca Raton), Wendell Grey II (Brooklyn), and Boubacar Djiga (Ouagadougou). Our backgrounds range from dance, visual and performance art, to music and the written word. Our work is centered on art as social action and ritual as performance.

With the Englert Theatre and Iowa Arts Council's support, these artists united to combat institutional racism and sexism during September 2017 in Iowa City. The main goal of this project was to create a safe and healing space for bodies and minds of people in the local community, especially those marginalized by the current socio-political landscape.

Support for DIS/UNITY: A SERVICE was provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts + The Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of the Arts Midwest & Crane Group. Other sponsors include: Iowa House Hotel, Hands Jewelers and The Puffin Foundation.

Director + Choreography: Esther Baker-Tarpaga
Music + Live: Barber, Courtney Jones, Papa
Production + Design: Heidi Wiren Bartlett
Performance + Installations + Dance: Barber, Papa, Esther Baker-Tarpaga, Courtney Jones, Heidi Wiren Bartlett, Raquel Monroe, Wendell Gray II
Photographer: Karla Conrad
Videographer & Editor: Kaitlyn Busbee
Technical Director: Tori Morgensai

Co-commissioned by Englert Theatre

With a special thanks to Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project and Andre Perry for making this project possible.

DIS/UNITY : A Service
Englert Theatre
Iowa City, IA | September 2017