Tiona Nekkia McClodden

Be Alarmed: The Black Americana Epic, Movement III - The Triple Deities is the third movement in the Be Alarmed series. Movement III – The Triple Deities is a multimedia installation, and performance that merges art song, exhibition, film, and sculpture to examine the intersections of Black woman intersubjectivity within the context of American society. The Triple Deities draws its inspiration from the art song “Songs To The Dark Virgin” composed by Florence B. Price in 1941 —the first African American woman to have a composition performed by a major American symphony orchestra. The composition takes its name and lyrics from Langston Hughes poem which was written in 1926. The work will consider how African American classical musicians historically used the art song form as a critical tool while examining present-day perspectives.

McClodden is collaborating with composer and pianist Courtney Bryan, who will create and perform a score that will include reference to Price’s original composition, as well as a range of traditional African American musical genres and styles. Soprano vocalist Janinah Burnett will perform both the work in its traditional form and alongside Bryan’s new compositions in a live performance that will take place within the installation of the film.

Featuring Performances by;

Danielle Deadwyler as The Dark Virgin

Linda Harris as Deity #1

Ashley Tai as Deity #2

Tiona Nekkia McClodden as Deity #3

Crew:

Wardrobe Stylist: Pamela Shephard

Composer + Pianist: Courtney Bryan

Singer: Janinah Burnett

Written, Directed, Edited + Produced by Tiona Nekkia McClodden 

Major support for 'Be Alarmed: The Black Americana Epic, Movement III - The Triple Deities' has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from The Astraea Global Art fund, and the Ossian Fellowship.