Lisa Traiger X C. Brian Williams, Founder and Executive Producer of Step Afrika!
In this special Artist Talk, Lisa Traiger catches up with C. Brian Williams, Founder and Executive Producer of Step Afrika!! They talk about the beginnings of Step, the growth of Step Afrika!. their show at Arena Stage, and more!
The Fruits of Our Labor at Arena Stage (Washington, DC)
September 10, 2026 – November 1, 2026
As America marks 250 years, Step Afrika! premieres The Fruits of Our Labor—a work that examines what it means to build, to belong, and to believe in a nation still in the making.
Created in collaboration and conversation with Jakari Sherman, Conrad R. Kelly II, and Vusi Mdoyi, The Fruits of Our Labor pushes the boundaries of percussive dance while drawing from traditions that continue to shape Black expression and cultural identity across the diaspora. Be the first to see this powerful new production exploring rhythm, resilience, and the unfinished story of the American experience.
Runtime is approximately 75–80 minutes with no intermission.
The Fruits of Our Labor is made possible through the extraordinary generosity and visionary support of Tiffeny Sanchez and Reg Brown, Lead Sponsors of the production and national tour.
Lead Commissioning Support is provided by ASU Gammage and the Charleston Gaillard Center. Additional Commissioning Support is provided by The Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond; Performing Arts Houston; and the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts.
Visit Step Arika’s website: (https://www.stepafrika.org/)
Visit Step Afrika’s Instagram: (@stepafrika)
Lisa Traiger (she/her) (@dcdancewatcher) has been an arts journalist and critic since 1985. She wrote the dance column for The Washington Post Weekend section from 1999 to 2014. She edited From the Green Room, Dance/USA’s online eJournal, from 2008 to 2022. As a freelance dance critic for The Washington Post her reviews appeared in the Style section from 1997-2006.! You can read more about Lisa on our STAFF page!
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