Emergence 1 and 2

Emergence 1

The Hawk composed by Leslie Bird; lyrics adapted from text by Deborah Czarneski; performed by Rowana Grady; dance choreographed by Kathy Borteck Gersten; performed by Robert Byrd.

• The lyrics to this song were written by a woman from York CI and begins the program with a reflection on forgiveness.

Four Walls, One Floor, One Ceiling composed by Leslie Bird; lyrics adapted from text by Tracie Bernardi and Annie O’ Connell; performed by Leslie Bird and Rowana Grady.

• Tracie, who wrote the lyrics to the melody of this song spent 7 years in solitary confinement.

Cry composed and performed by L LeDonne.

• L: “I wrote this song from a prompt in New Beginnings, JDPP’s arts engagement with returning citizens and Trinity College students. It is about coming out from prison into quarantine and the sadness of moving from one confined space to another.”

The News written and performed by Robin Cullen; music: Vik Fence Haflak, Blue Dot Sessions.

• Robin: “I wrote this piece fifteen years after I was released from prison, reflecting on a powerful moment of realization while I was there.”

Light written by Tracy and performed by Yalines Torres; music: Pedal Point by Peter Jones, used with permission of Peter Jones.

• Yali: “These words were written by a mom and friend I knew well at York who is serving a 25-year sentence.”

I Need Somebody to Love Me composed by Leslie Bird with lyrics adapted from a poem by Gloria Akasha Hull; performed by Leslie Bird and Rowana Grady.

• A song of sadness and need first performed as part of JDPP’s ‘In My Shoes’ (2014).

I Braid written, choreographed, and performed by Robert Byrd; edited and directed by Judy Dworin.

• Robert: “This piece was developed as a reflection on my 30 days in prison and was first performed in JDPP’s ‘Brave in a New World’ [2016].”

Bound to Happen written and performed by Robin Cullen.

• Robin: “I wrote this last year in a deep process of remembering and saying it all out loud.”

Make Believe lyrics and music composed and performed by L LeDonne.

• L: “In this song, I was trying to find a place of happiness that I could run to in a world that felt just so dark.”

Wake Up Lyrics adapted from a poem by Sherail; music composed by L Le Donne and Angela Luna Grano; performed by L Le Donne and Yalines Torres; dance choreographed and performed by Robert Byrd. Special thanks to Vic Steffans of Horizon Music for his generous recording and mixing support.

• Wake Up was a collaboration of artists inspired by a poem by Sherail about what it is to wake up and start a day in prison with a heart that retains gratitude and hope to survive the reality of the situation.

The Freedom Song lyrics and music by Rowana Grady.

• Rowana: “I wrote this song for JDPP’s production of ‘In My Shoes’ (2014) as a reflection on freedom.”

I’ll Pray lyrics and music composed and performed by L LeDonne.

• L: “This song was written when I first participated in the JDPP Performance Residency at York CI and it is written for hope.”

People Get Ready adapted by Leslie Bird from the song by Curtis Mayfield; performed by Leslie Bird.

• A song of spirit and hope.

Can Anybody Hear Me written by Leslie Bird and Rowana Grady; performed by Yalines Torres.

• This song speaks to the difficulties of those returning to the community from prison and for all who are marginalized and need their voices to be heard.

Coming Home Song composed by Rowana Grady and Victoria Steele with Leslie Bird; performed by Leslie Bird and Rowana Grady.

• This song speaks to the shared experience of those that return to the community from prison. It was written by Women on Our Own, the first JDPP mentorship for women returning from prison, providing a platform for them to work professionally in the field and expand audience awareness.

Tell Me Why, lyrics by Yalines Torres; music by L LeDonne; performed by Yalines Torres.

• Yali: I wrote this song while in prison in response to the heightened racial tensions in the country.

Still I Rise written by Maya Angelou; spoken by Victoria Steele.

• These famous words of Maya Angelou need no introduction—their important message is loud and clear.

Love Can Build a Bridge adapted by Leslie Bird from the song by The Judds; lyrics adapted from writings generated in the JDPP Moms & Kids Residency at York CI; performed by Leslie Bird.

• This song speaks to love being the pivotal connector in our lives and our world.

What If written by Kelly Donnelly; performed by Robin Cullen; music: Sun of the Most High Stems by Ketsa; used with permission of Dominic Giam.

• This is a poem of imagination and possibility written during one of JDPP’s York residencies.

Starting Over written by Leslie Bird; performed by Yalines Torres.

• A chant of hope and second chances.

Dandelions written and performed by Yalines Torres; music: Dandy by Ketsa.

• Yali: This was the first writing that I did for the JDPP York Performance Residency. I dedicate it to all the women who remain there.

Walk a Mile in My Shoes composed by Joe South; performed by the cast.

• This song takes us full circle, reminding us of our common humanity and the critical need to understand our human connection in considering incarceration.