Sat. Aug. 23, 2025 8p.m.
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Fri. Aug. 22, 2025 LDCP 8p.m.
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Sat. Aug. 23, 2025 LDCP 8p.m.

Photo by Lauren Jessica Brown
Theater Lab
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Presenting Sponsor
Patrons are requested to silence cell phones and other electronic devices during performances.
The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this venue.
Terms and Conditions
All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.
Sponsors
Fred Eychaner Fund
C. Michael Kojaian
Suzanne L. Niedland
William J. Caldwell and Michele Toth
Program
As co-conspirators, time travelers, and architects, we build blueprints to worlds without limits. These worlds acknowledge that we are the tools for the foundation we all now stand upon. “I have a secret to tell you…” is a durational experience that challenges the norms of space exploration yet encourages the intensity of performance. It is an invitation to discover, reframe, and practice being in community with Black women and femmes—not just to witness their actions but the in[visible] labor. This glimpse of the portal is a map that will serve as a guide on how to hold us in the world we build in everyday practice—a world that everyone has benefited from.
This work continuously questions what is new while also understanding how imperative it is to explore, construct, and carve pathways for Black women and femmes within and throughout our community. This experience is an investment in traversing through these spaces and fashioning maps and points of access for us and people who might not have viewed them as portals. It is within these coves that our fullness is held.
Production Team
Co-Conspirators: Jamison Curcio and Shanice Mason
Exhibition Architects: Ashayla Byrd, Chabria Cannaday-Enomanna, Christina Collins, and Anastasia Johnson
Original Score: Mark Caserta
Sound Design: Jamison Curcio and Shanice Mason
Scenic Design: Shartoya Jn.Baptiste in collaboration with Jamison Curcio and Shanice Mason
Lighting Design: Christian Henrriquez
Costume Design: Jamison Curcio, Faryn Kelly, and Shanice Mason
Exhibition Videography: Lauren Jessica Brown
Stage Manager: Tawana Daniel
Production Consultant: Faryn Kelly
Carpenter: Liam Fitzpatrick
Peer Support: Jasmine Hearn and Johnnie Cruise Mercer
Music Credits
Unforgettable
Written by Irving Gordon
Performed by Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle
Published by Capitol
Gesture 1
Written and Performed by Michael Wall
Published by soundFORMovement
Ripli
Performed by Raime
Written by Joe Andrews & Tom Halstead
Published by Bank Robber Music, Rough Trade Publishing
Under Waves, Ascending
Written and Performed by Daniel Thorne
Published by Erased Tapes Music
Courtesy of Erased Tapes Records
Directors Note
Tap into your vulnerability and add to the map with your personal voice note. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with us.
Can you identify the architects within your community?
Do you feel you have a seat at the table? Do you want a seat at the table, or do you want to build your own table?
What resources are at your disposal?
Who’s unforgettable?
What does "play" mean to you?
Is your glass half empty or half full?
Send us your voice note using this link: https://app.vocal.email/collect/i-hhasty
Company
Special Thanks
To our families: Thank you for reminding us to exhale throughout this durational experience.
To the architects: Chabria, Ashayla, Christina, Ana, Selyse, Kittie Mae, and Kae. Thank you for always understanding the secret.
To Sydney, Elan, Covenant, Daneyla, Ms. Rita, Raeya, Shekinah, Leah, Victoria, Erica, Mikayla, Imani, Jenna, Kristan, MK, Ella, Lydia, Ariel, Shaiday, and Lauren: This portal was made and crafted by and for you. Thank you for continuously showing up and playing with us.
To Jessica, Aisha, Mallory, Tariq, Liam, Jessy, Samuel, and Malik: Thank you for being able to take us in and allowing us to drop our armor around you. Thank you for making us feel safe in our bodies.
To Brandelyn Anderson: Thank you for creating a seat at the table for us. It’s an honor to know a builder like you. To many more daily planners that invite you to be creative and free.
To Jasmine and Johnnie: Thank you for your guidance and reassurance throughout this process. You reminded us that it’s okay not to be okay. You encouraged us to trust and follow our gut. You made space and supported our wildest dreams. And for that, we’re eternally grateful.
To Malik Burnett: Our honorary architect. We are not alone because of you. Thank you for being courageous with us. It is worth the risk.
To Shanice: It is very rare that people have the opportunity to be in community with greatness. You have continuously and generously shared your wisdom with this area and are the blueprint for many of us. Here’s to everyone calling out your name more.
To Jamison: “The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins—but in the heart of its strength lies its weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back…” — Narrator, Revenge of the Sith
To the avengers; Jane, Mallory, and Malik.
These past 18 months have been possible because of your unwavering commitment to process, to choice making, and fighting for us. Thank you for your advocacy, and being a reminder to us all that what you believe in matters; morals and values matter. We hope you all can find a moment to rest and know that, we as a community, can hold you now.
Thank you for keeping the darkness away for so many of us. Your gentle and tenacious light is one I won’t ever take for granted.
Staff
Kennedy Center Dance Programming Staff
Director, Dance ProgrammingJane Raleigh
Assistant Manager, Dance ProgrammingMalik Burnett
Assistant Manager, Dance ProgrammingMallory Miller
Manager, MarketingChenay Newton
Assistant Manager, MarketingSimone Booker-Isham
The Trump Kennedy Center Executive Leadership
Executive DirectorMatt Floca
Chief Financial OfficerDonna Arduin
Acting General CounselElliot Berke
Vice President of Human Resources LaTa’sha M. Bowens
Senior Vice President, MarketingRobin Osborne
Vice President, Public RelationsRoma Daravi
Vice President, EducationJordan LaSalle
Vice President, ProductionGlenn Turner
Interim Chief Information Officer Bob Sellappan
Staff for the Theater Lab
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Theater Manager*Toni Smith
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Box Office TreasurerDeborah E. Glover
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Head UsherJewel L. Nelson
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Production ManagerAlyssa Will Zegers
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Master TechnicianA.W. Saunders
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StagehandJosh Sorg
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Wardrobe SupervisorJessica Evans
*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.

The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.
Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.

The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E., AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.
Thank You to The Trump Kennedy Center Supporters
The Trump Kennedy Center Board of Trustees
National Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors
The Trump Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Committee
The Trump Kennedy Center President's Council
The Trump Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts
President's Advisory Committee on the Arts
National Committee for the Performing Arts
National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees
The Trump Kennedy Center Circles Board
The Trump Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board
The Trump Kennedy Center Corporate Fund Board