Emmy-nominated choreographer Jeremy McQueen encountered a photograph by Richard Ross at the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Deeply moved by Ross’ work documenting the treatment of young people housed in the criminal justice system, McQueen sought out the expertise of social justice advocates and began crafting his groundbreaking new ballet and four-part dance film titled WILD, presented by the Black Iris Project.

Jeremy McQueen will join us to explore movement, social justice and transforming personal narratives into dance. We will share clips from the second installment of his new ballet, WILD: Act 1, which traces the journey of a young man celebrating his 14th birthday behind bars and the effects of isolation and imprisonment on childhood development. McQueen will be joined by composer Chari Glogovac-Smith; Candice C. Jones, CEO, Public Welfare Foundation; dancers Elijah Lancaster and Fana Tesfagiorgis; and Kim Taylor-Thompson, Board Chair, Equal Justice Initiative.