Acclaimed choreographer Juliana F. May is renowned for creating thrillingly elaborate cycles of song, text, and movement from the wreckage of difficult experience. In Optimistic Voices, her BAM debut, May delves into the tangled contradictions of family, eroticism, and motherhood. Influenced by postmodern dance and musical theater, she uses repetition and off-kilter rhythms in pursuit of a new performative language. For Optimistic Voices—performed by Justin Faircloth, Wendell Gray II, Lucy Kaminsky, Gwendolyn Knapp, Kayvon Pourazar, and Anh Vo—May creates a dreamlike landscape from the quagmire of everyday life.
Music composition by Clara Hunter Latham
Set design by Matt Shalzi
Lighting design by Chloe Z. Brown
Costume design by Mariana Valencia
Dramaturgy by Hilary Clark and Iris McCloughan
Optimistic Voices was made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council.
Set design by Matt Shalzi
Lighting design by Chloe Z. Brown
Costume design by Mariana Valencia
Dramaturgy by Hilary Clark and Iris McCloughan
Optimistic Voices was made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council.
ONSALE DATES
Thu, May 15 at 1pm
BAM Members & Patrons
Thu, May 22 at 1pm
General Public
BAM Members & Patrons
Thu, May 22 at 1pm
General Public
UPCOMING Performances
RUNNING TIME
Approx. 1 hour, no intermission
VENUE
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets start at $35
Please note: All online orders are subject to a $2 facility fee and $7.50 handling fee per ticket; all orders at the box office are subject to a $2 facility fee per ticket.
BAM Members & Patrons receive 20% off tickets through June 30, 2025. No promo code needed.
Please note: All online orders are subject to a $2 facility fee and $7.50 handling fee per ticket; all orders at the box office are subject to a $2 facility fee per ticket.
BAM Members & Patrons receive 20% off tickets through June 30, 2025. No promo code needed.
All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.
Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:
Leadership support for
BAM Access Programs provided by
the Jerome L. Greene Foundation
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by:
Leadership support for
dance at BAM provided by
The SHS Foundation
Leadership support for
dance at BAM provided by:
Leadership support for
Next Wave 2025 provided by
National Endowment for the Arts
