The Dance: The History of American Minstrelsy is the NAACP award-winning educational play coming to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival May 28-June 7. From 2500 B.C. to Al Jolson, we're shown the mongrelized usurpation of African rhythms, musical structure and dance for the entertainment of white audiences, reluctant to get any closer to black culture than an Irishman in greasepaint. Unspoken, but just as powerful, is an arsenal of props - which invite the audience to reflect on the deep entrenchment of racial stereotypes in our culture. The Dance builds a devastating indictment against thug life media stars, posturing gangstas with gats chasing just as injuriously after the dollar as the painted-up and banjo-wielding performers of a century earlier. Using authentic past and present day images, and with a text developed from over six years of research, this family friendly show continues to accomplish a rare hat trick…

A minstrel show that educates the audience, instead of alienating it.

Jason Christophe (26 years old, Cincinnati, Ohio native, and SCPA alumni) and Aaron White (28 years old, from Inglewood, Ca.) are both proud graduates of the California School of the Arts acting program (BFA). The Dance is written by Jason Christophe, and performed by Jason Christophe and Aaron White. In 2004, The Dance premiered at the KAOS Cinefreestyle Theater in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. In 2007, Jason Christophe won the NAACP award (Hollywood Chapter) for "Best Playwright of the Year." The Dance is respected within hundreds of inner city communities, as both Jason and Aaron share a passion to bring theater for social change into areas typically bypassed. Currently, Jason and Aaron are working on their next productions, The American Dream an absurd American comedy, and The Blood They Shed, now running in Los Angeles.

For ticketing and performance information please visit the Cincy Fringe website at www.cincyfringe.com. 

Please visit our show website at www.seethedance.com.