The Buchanan Center Special Events is bringing the acclaimed Brooklyn-based performance ensemble and dance company, Urban Bush Women (UBW), to the University of Wyoming for a special performance on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the UW Arts and Sciences Auditorium.
Tickets for the event are available online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984, in person, or by calling 307-766-6666 at the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Founded in 1984 by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, UBW has captivated audiences with innovative and powerful performances that bring untold and under-told stories to life. The company, now under the artistic direction of Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, integrates contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of the African Diaspora.
“I have been working to bring this incredible dance company here for two years,” said Lexis Hamilton, Fine Arts Program Manager. “I was first captivated in New York City by their performance, which was not only technically exceptional but also presented in such a theatrical way that it completely expanded my understanding of dance. I am beyond excited to welcome these talented dancers to the University of Wyoming!”
The performance, This is Risk, commemorates UBW’s 40th anniversary, blending legacy works from its rich history with innovative new pieces. The evening will feature iconic works by Zollar, Judson, Speis, and UBW’s network of artists, with select performances accompanied by live music. This is Risk showcases UBW’s signature storytelling through movement, celebrating four decades of artistic excellence and social activism.
The performance is also a highlighted event of the American College Dance Association High-Desert Conference, hosted by the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance from March 26-29. Conference participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with UBW company members through masterclasses and workshops.
UBW has performed extensively in New York City and tours nationally and internationally. The company has received numerous honors, including a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie), the Capezio Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, a Black Theater Alliance Award, and two Doris Duke Awards for New Work from the American Dance Festival. In 2020, UBW was recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation.
Beyond the stage, UBW has a deep commitment to community engagement through its BOLD (Builders, Organizers, and Leaders through Dance) program. The company’s Summer Leadership Institute (SLI), established in 1997, connects dance professionals with community-based artists and activists, leveraging the arts as a catalyst for civic engagement. In 2022, UBW launched the Urban Bush Women Choreographic Center Initiative Producing Program (CCI 2.0), offering fellowships to support the development of women choreographers and producers of color.
For more information about the event, contact Lexis Hamilton at 307-766-5139 or lhamil10@uwyo.edu.
Photo courtesy of University of Wyoming.