SOLE Defined

About ZAZ

A powerful performative archive, ZAZ honors the resilience of Hurricane Katrina survivors by embodying their stories through dance, music, and technology. This immersive, sensory performance expands traditional viewing practices beyond sight and sound. The performers give life to oral histories and recorded testimonies through tap, hard-soled shoes, gumboots, and barefoot movement — creating a percussive score that supports the layered narration. Stories are shared through speech, song, rap, and projection, transporting audiences to New Orleans while breaking the boundaries of the fourth wall. Conceived by Ryan K. Johnson — 2024 Guggenheim Choreography Fellow — ZAZ intricately weaves vibrant percussive dance with layered soundscapes and cutting-edge media technology.

Creative Team & Cast

• Created by Ryan K. Johnson, with associate direction by Jodeci Milhouse
• Guest choreography by: Quynn Johnson, Max Pollax & Michelle Gibson
• Musical arrangements by: Tamar Greene (Hamilton, Broadway), Jared Alexander & Henley Connor III
• Duration: 75 mins, no intermission
• Performers: 8
• Traveling crew: 2

Additional Offerings

We’re happy to include arts education and community programming as part of a ZAZ residency. This can include workshops in Tap, Body Percussion, West African, and Contemporary movement.

Technical & Load-in Info

• Day 1: Hang & focus, load in floor and sound. Rider + Lighting/ Audio plots sent in advance.
• Day 2: Q2Q

Price

• $40k + Travel, Housing & floor freight costs, unless the theater has a sprung wooden floor, in which case the freight cost may be waived. This fee covers 1–2 performances; a reduced rate is available for 3–5 performances.

Caretakers of Land/Land Acknowledgement

Passcottaway, Powhatan, and Pamunkey