Help "The Black Iris Project" Bloom
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My father passed away suddenly this past Saturday while I am in the midst of one of the craziest and most emotional times of my life...bringing The Black Iris Project's debut New York season at New York Live Arts on July 27/28 to life. I am crying out for your help and support so that I might be able to continue to allow the arts to not only help me find solace, comfort and encouragement during these taxing personal times, but also to help others who might find themselves in similar shoes. I, like others, are holding on by a very thin thread emotionally. But expressing myself and all that's within me through art is what has been keeping me going. Every time I look at the television or social media I see nothing but constant pain for yet another Black life that has been taken or an act of terror/hate on innocent lives. With my body filled with rage and frustration I've continued to invest my heart and soul into The Black Iris Project to allow this vehicle to serve as a beacon of hope, and champion change in our society. My art is my form of protest. However, I desperately need your help. We have not reached our financal goals for our debut New York season and all of our performances will be cancelled if we do not raise the money we still need.
About The Black Iris Project
The Black Iris Project is a ballet collaborative and education vehicle which creates new, relevant classical ballet works that celebrate diversity and Black history. Based in New York City, the project hosts a team of predominantly minority artists capable of delivering cross-discipline and wholly original works. Championing individuality, the collaborative harnesses the Black community's inherent creative spirit to encourage and inspire youth of color to pursue art, movement and music as an expressive outlet and a means for collective healing. The Black Iris Project will hold its debut season on July 27 & 28 2016 at New York Live Arts in New York City. Three original ballet works rooted in Black history will be featured, highlighting a cast of predominantly Black dancers from world-class ballet companies.
Why?
I created The Black Iris Project for Black artists to come together as a community and create not only a tighter bond but also be able to go out into the community and provoke positive growth by addressing vital issues in our country, as well as provide audiences a resource for inspiration and encouragement. We specifically utilize Classical Ballet as our foundation to help diversify the narratives of the "European" dominant art form.
Who's involved?
Within this collaborative I've brought together Black ballet dancers from companies such as Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Ballet West, Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Collage Dance Collective, Ballet Memphis, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York Theatre Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, as well as a host of Black artistic collaborators and visionaries in the fields of choreography, music composition, visual art, costume design, and lighting design. A collaborative of this nature has never been done before. We are embarking on a historical and transformative movement in the arts.
Who else believes in you?
We have received an outpouring of attention and support from publications such as; New York Times, Village Voice, Huffington Post, A Plus, Blavity, The Root, NY1, Broadway World, Jet Magazine, Dance Informa, and others. But I've found that potential supporters have seen the press attention that we've received, as well as the organizations who have signed on to support us, and often assume that we have all the money we need to see this project through. In actuality, we have not reached our financial goals.
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and New Music USA have been very generous in planting the initial seeds to help this project grow, with additional in-kind sponsorship from Shea Moisture, Nude Barre, Freed of London, Harlem Schoolof the Arts, and the CUNY Dance Initiative. But we still desperately need support to nourish this flower to life.
How does this help others?
I'm a firm believer that #artsaveslives and I created this project because I have experienced first hand how the arts can provide a wealth of comfort, and a release during challenging times, such as these in the state of Black America. I myself, having struggled with eating disorders and depression in the past, know that being able to express myself through movement and choreography has kept me balanced. I want to be able to help others see the beauty of the arts, and the beauty and value in their lives.
What can I do?
Please make a donation of any amount, today. No donation is too small and will help us reach our goal. If you're unable to donate you can also help us by simply sharing this message with others whom might be able to help support our dreams. The funds raised will be utilized to pay outstanding production costs, dancer and collaborator fees, costume design construction and studio & theater rental.
What I learned from my father
I don't talk about my father a lot but as are all children, I am combination of both my mother and my father. I've always told my students and close friends that my mother has given me the gift of words, organization and discipline. My father has given me creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. Iwatched my father first hand own and operate various popular businesses in San Diego including J.M. Party Productions and Classic Limousine. My parents who moved to California from
Alabama before I was born did so because my father envisioned a better life for he and my mother. They wanted to live the California dream and be able to expose their child to all the things that they didn't get to experience growing up. So after college my father packed his bags, took a leap of faith and planted seeds in California.
When I was in middle school my parents took me to an audition for San Diego Junior Theater's production of Henry & Ramona, a stage version of the popular Judy Blume book series. I had my monologue down and my outfit was crisp and clean as I entered the audition room. I took a deep breath and gave it my all as I spoke each line articulately with style. As I recall, following my audition, the director was pleased with my performance and I was invited me to a callback which I recall was being held the very next day. I was ecstatic! But little did I realize was that majority of the characters in the play were paperboys. As I basked in my moment of joy that I had received a callback... The director asked..."You do know how to ride a bike, right??!" I was taught at a very young age to always say 'yes' or 'I'm willing to learn' at an audition. Though as an adult I don't condone lying, middle school aged Jeremy just said "yes". They were pleased to hear my positive response and then proceeded to ask me to bring my bike with me to the callback as I would be asked to learn some bike tricks. "Bike tricks!?" I thought to myself as I not only didn't know how to ride a bike but I also didn't own one.
I walked calmly to the car and told my parents the great news about my callback. They were very supportive until of course I told them that I lied and said I knew how to write a bike and needed to do so by tomorrow afternoon. With a deep sigh my parents said "well, you know what we have to do..." The next thing I knew I was in Toys-R-Us picking out a bike. My dad kept me home from school the entire next day just so I could learn how to ride a bike. We worked together practically the whole day. I watched as he showed me how it was done. And then he would guide me down the block and gently let go of me before Iattempted to balance on my own. My dad taught me that I just had to keep fighting and working hard at getting this down. He knew how badly I wanted to be in this play so we worked together to achieve that goal. By the time 4 PM rolled around for my callback I was solidly riding a bike. I attended the callback and later that week I found out that I got a part in the show. I ended up not actually having to ride a bike in the production after all. Instead they gave me a scooter. (thank goodness cause those tricks up and down ramps looks scary). But needless to say... That was a moment that I shared with my dad that not only showed me his support for me and my career field of interest, but also that I should never give up on my dreams. All I wanted in that moment was to be onstage in that production and I knew that if forcing myself to learn how to ride a bike would do it... Then I was more than open to accepting the challenge.
On Saturday night this past weekend my father passed away very suddenly of complications due to lung cancer.
My father and I didn't always see eye-to-eye but I never doubted his love and support of me and all of my artistic endeavors. The last conversation I recall having with my father was last week. I had called him because I was really sad and frustrated about the challenge of bringing in all of the necessary funds I needed to carry out the collaborative I've started called The Black Iris Project.
My father had kept up with all of the developments of The Black Iris Project and was prouder than he ever had been of me and the postitive steps I was taking boldly to allow my life to help others. The opportunities and exposure I had been receiving were what my mother and he, along with other family members and myself, had prayed for as long as we can remember. But it broke his heart to see my biggest dream come true quickly become my biggest nightmare. As my parents explored ways that they could help save my project by even contacting their family and friends, they explored the possibility of even mortgaging their house and suddenly my dad became very ill.
I've learned so much about myself and others throughout these past 6 months of really getting my hands dirty in the soil of this project to cultivate a project that would be both therapudic and also meaningful to society. With very little assistance I've worn the hats of grant writer, publicist, marketing manager, social media manager, fundraising coordinator, company manager, production manager, technical director including the obvious roles of producer and choreographer. I'm by no means complaining as this project has been my most fufilling to date. I see its importance in society right now, and also the positive effects it has already had in the community through our master classes, social media engagement and public performances.
My father, James McQueen, taught me how to dream big and never give up...and that's exactly what I'll continue doing. Please help me recognize and honor my father by contributing to my project.
Thank you in advance for your support.
~Jeremy McQueen
To learn more about The Black Iris Project, click on the link below.
The Black Iris Project
Photos by Matthew Murphy
Art direction by Mondo Morales
Face makeup by Ruben Bermudez
About The Black Iris Project
The Black Iris Project is a ballet collaborative and education vehicle which creates new, relevant classical ballet works that celebrate diversity and Black history. Based in New York City, the project hosts a team of predominantly minority artists capable of delivering cross-discipline and wholly original works. Championing individuality, the collaborative harnesses the Black community's inherent creative spirit to encourage and inspire youth of color to pursue art, movement and music as an expressive outlet and a means for collective healing. The Black Iris Project will hold its debut season on July 27 & 28 2016 at New York Live Arts in New York City. Three original ballet works rooted in Black history will be featured, highlighting a cast of predominantly Black dancers from world-class ballet companies.
Why?
I created The Black Iris Project for Black artists to come together as a community and create not only a tighter bond but also be able to go out into the community and provoke positive growth by addressing vital issues in our country, as well as provide audiences a resource for inspiration and encouragement. We specifically utilize Classical Ballet as our foundation to help diversify the narratives of the "European" dominant art form.
Who's involved?
Within this collaborative I've brought together Black ballet dancers from companies such as Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Ballet West, Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Collage Dance Collective, Ballet Memphis, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York Theatre Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, as well as a host of Black artistic collaborators and visionaries in the fields of choreography, music composition, visual art, costume design, and lighting design. A collaborative of this nature has never been done before. We are embarking on a historical and transformative movement in the arts.
Who else believes in you?
We have received an outpouring of attention and support from publications such as; New York Times, Village Voice, Huffington Post, A Plus, Blavity, The Root, NY1, Broadway World, Jet Magazine, Dance Informa, and others. But I've found that potential supporters have seen the press attention that we've received, as well as the organizations who have signed on to support us, and often assume that we have all the money we need to see this project through. In actuality, we have not reached our financial goals.
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and New Music USA have been very generous in planting the initial seeds to help this project grow, with additional in-kind sponsorship from Shea Moisture, Nude Barre, Freed of London, Harlem Schoolof the Arts, and the CUNY Dance Initiative. But we still desperately need support to nourish this flower to life.
How does this help others?
I'm a firm believer that #artsaveslives and I created this project because I have experienced first hand how the arts can provide a wealth of comfort, and a release during challenging times, such as these in the state of Black America. I myself, having struggled with eating disorders and depression in the past, know that being able to express myself through movement and choreography has kept me balanced. I want to be able to help others see the beauty of the arts, and the beauty and value in their lives.
What can I do?
Please make a donation of any amount, today. No donation is too small and will help us reach our goal. If you're unable to donate you can also help us by simply sharing this message with others whom might be able to help support our dreams. The funds raised will be utilized to pay outstanding production costs, dancer and collaborator fees, costume design construction and studio & theater rental.
What I learned from my father
I don't talk about my father a lot but as are all children, I am combination of both my mother and my father. I've always told my students and close friends that my mother has given me the gift of words, organization and discipline. My father has given me creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. Iwatched my father first hand own and operate various popular businesses in San Diego including J.M. Party Productions and Classic Limousine. My parents who moved to California from
Alabama before I was born did so because my father envisioned a better life for he and my mother. They wanted to live the California dream and be able to expose their child to all the things that they didn't get to experience growing up. So after college my father packed his bags, took a leap of faith and planted seeds in California.
When I was in middle school my parents took me to an audition for San Diego Junior Theater's production of Henry & Ramona, a stage version of the popular Judy Blume book series. I had my monologue down and my outfit was crisp and clean as I entered the audition room. I took a deep breath and gave it my all as I spoke each line articulately with style. As I recall, following my audition, the director was pleased with my performance and I was invited me to a callback which I recall was being held the very next day. I was ecstatic! But little did I realize was that majority of the characters in the play were paperboys. As I basked in my moment of joy that I had received a callback... The director asked..."You do know how to ride a bike, right??!" I was taught at a very young age to always say 'yes' or 'I'm willing to learn' at an audition. Though as an adult I don't condone lying, middle school aged Jeremy just said "yes". They were pleased to hear my positive response and then proceeded to ask me to bring my bike with me to the callback as I would be asked to learn some bike tricks. "Bike tricks!?" I thought to myself as I not only didn't know how to ride a bike but I also didn't own one.
I walked calmly to the car and told my parents the great news about my callback. They were very supportive until of course I told them that I lied and said I knew how to write a bike and needed to do so by tomorrow afternoon. With a deep sigh my parents said "well, you know what we have to do..." The next thing I knew I was in Toys-R-Us picking out a bike. My dad kept me home from school the entire next day just so I could learn how to ride a bike. We worked together practically the whole day. I watched as he showed me how it was done. And then he would guide me down the block and gently let go of me before Iattempted to balance on my own. My dad taught me that I just had to keep fighting and working hard at getting this down. He knew how badly I wanted to be in this play so we worked together to achieve that goal. By the time 4 PM rolled around for my callback I was solidly riding a bike. I attended the callback and later that week I found out that I got a part in the show. I ended up not actually having to ride a bike in the production after all. Instead they gave me a scooter. (thank goodness cause those tricks up and down ramps looks scary). But needless to say... That was a moment that I shared with my dad that not only showed me his support for me and my career field of interest, but also that I should never give up on my dreams. All I wanted in that moment was to be onstage in that production and I knew that if forcing myself to learn how to ride a bike would do it... Then I was more than open to accepting the challenge.
On Saturday night this past weekend my father passed away very suddenly of complications due to lung cancer.
My father and I didn't always see eye-to-eye but I never doubted his love and support of me and all of my artistic endeavors. The last conversation I recall having with my father was last week. I had called him because I was really sad and frustrated about the challenge of bringing in all of the necessary funds I needed to carry out the collaborative I've started called The Black Iris Project.
My father had kept up with all of the developments of The Black Iris Project and was prouder than he ever had been of me and the postitive steps I was taking boldly to allow my life to help others. The opportunities and exposure I had been receiving were what my mother and he, along with other family members and myself, had prayed for as long as we can remember. But it broke his heart to see my biggest dream come true quickly become my biggest nightmare. As my parents explored ways that they could help save my project by even contacting their family and friends, they explored the possibility of even mortgaging their house and suddenly my dad became very ill.
I've learned so much about myself and others throughout these past 6 months of really getting my hands dirty in the soil of this project to cultivate a project that would be both therapudic and also meaningful to society. With very little assistance I've worn the hats of grant writer, publicist, marketing manager, social media manager, fundraising coordinator, company manager, production manager, technical director including the obvious roles of producer and choreographer. I'm by no means complaining as this project has been my most fufilling to date. I see its importance in society right now, and also the positive effects it has already had in the community through our master classes, social media engagement and public performances.
My father, James McQueen, taught me how to dream big and never give up...and that's exactly what I'll continue doing. Please help me recognize and honor my father by contributing to my project.
Thank you in advance for your support.
~Jeremy McQueen
To learn more about The Black Iris Project, click on the link below.
The Black Iris Project
Photos by Matthew Murphy
Art direction by Mondo Morales
Face makeup by Ruben Bermudez
Organizer
Jeremy McQueen
Organizer
New York, NY
