Sat. Aug. 23, 2025 8p.m.

Photo by Lauren Jessica Brown

Theater Lab

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

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

  • Theater Manager
    *Toni Smith
  • Box Office Treasurer
    Deborah E. Glover
  • Head Usher
    Jewel L. Nelson
  • Production Manager
    Alyssa Will Zegers
  • Master Technician
    A.W. Saunders
  • Stagehand
    Josh Sorg
  • Wardrobe Supervisor
    Jessica Evans

atpam

*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.

iatse 868

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.

iatse 22   iatse 772   iatse 798

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.