Moving Devotionals
October 7, 2020
Theatre + Film
October 7, 2020
Select Past Choreography Works
Dance, Dance-Theatre, Experimental Performance
There is a River
2022
Short Film Conceived & Directed by Tula B. Strong | DP: Marcus Brown Jr. | Choreographed by the director in collaboration with the cast | Composed by Marcus Norris of South Side Symphony & Asriel Hayes and Aminata Diop of Musical Duo, JORDAN.
Two women journey to a mystical River as they search for healing. This quest to find relief from the void of a lost loved one leads them to discover the strength that comes through community & faith. There is a River is a dance film inspired by heavenly imagery of the River of Life, praying women, and tangible encounters with the Spirit of God.
I tried so hard for you
2022
Dance Film Conceptualized by Neima Patterson (Director/Choreographer), Tula B. Strong (Director/Choreographer), & Marcus Norris (Music Composer). Movement composition crafted in collaboration with choreographers & cast.
It’s a tale of matrilineal cycles, healing, and heritage. A dance film that takes a look at the multi-generational dynamics of African American women. We try our best for the ones we love, but we don’t always get it right. I tried so hard for you. Set in a replica of a grandmother's living room, the film consists of three overlapping solos, each representing a different generation. Harnessing the vast movement knowledge of our diaspora, dancers perform a blend of movement styles including post-modern, house, West African, and Afro-Latin techniques.
The TESTIMONY EP
2022
Conceived & Directed by Tula B. Strong | Album Songs written by Anita Rodriguez, Keala Watson-Wheaton, Elsie Dortelus, & Traditional | Engineered by Juanita Anderson | Director of Photography by Marcus Brown
Influenced by Gospel, Soul, and a Woman’s Testimony, The TESTIMONY EP is a short album of Traditional Gospel and Original Music designed to lift the spirits of those who listen. Watch & Listen to the full EP by visiting www.testimonytheshow.com
Chrysalis
2021
Short Film Directed by Sonder by Simone | DP: Marcus Brown Jr. | Choreographed & Performed by Tula B. Strong
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.' Philippians 4:6 This is for my people who can’t talk about their struggles just yet. For my people who aren’t ready to ask for help. For my people who feel like no ones listening. For my brothers & sisters who are fighting by themselves. I hear you, I see you, I’m with you. But most importantly He sees you. He knows you." - Sonder by Simone
There is a River
2019
Stage Piece | Conceived & Directed by Tula B. Strong | Choreographed by Tula in collaboration with the cast | Script written by Chris Pree
“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelations 22:17
There is a River is a project exploring Biblical imagery of the River, stories of pain and trauma experienced by women, and the presence & character of God. The version shown in this live concert at the UCLA Glorya Kaufman Dance Theatre is a work-in-progress version featuring 3 scenes from the larger project. The full project will be shown during TESTIMONY premiering March 2022.
This too shall pass
2018
Conceived, choreographed & performed by Tula B. Strong
A solo in progress dealing with love, motherhood, and spirituality. Performed at the 2018 Restore Dance Festival at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA.
Four Songs
2017
Conception & Vocal Performance by Carl A. Alexander | Choreographed & Danced by Tula B. Strong
Performed at the Northwestern University’s Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater.
To Every Troubled Mind
2015
Conceived & directed by Tula B. Strong | Choreographed by Tula in collaboration with the cast.
"To Every Troubled Mind," is a world dictated by images of NY street photographer, Vivian Maier, the groove in Marvin Gaye’s songs of protest, and the messages lying within J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive. This year-long process concludes in a piece of choreography, running about 30 minutes in length, that is interested in crafting experiences for both its dancers and its audience members. The three 10-minute vignettes that compose this work take place throughout the entire theater: the dancers, singers, and speakers of the cast interact with and occupy the same space as the viewers. "To Every Troubled Mind," invites its audience to listen with their entire being: to hesitate when trying to think things through, and to instead probe the site of knowledge where hearts lay open. This work is accompanied by an extended paper entitled, “A Framework for Viewing, ‘To Every Troubled Mind,’ A Creative Choreographic Thesis.” This work was performed at Princeton University in 2015 as part of Tula B. Strong’s thesis research.
Reframe
2014
Conceived by Tula B. Strong | Choreographed by Tula in collaboration with the dancers
Based upon family narratives surrounding the Liberian Civil War, Reframe takes a look at the process of translating oral histories and profound personal experiences into choreography. This is an excerpt of a 12 minute piece that marked the end of a 1 year research process, in which Strong & her cast incorporated translation theory into rehearsals in order to experiment with how to translate between narrative and dance. This choreographic work was accompanied by an extended research paper written by Tula B. Strong entitled, “Uncovering Dance Narration: A Case Study of Reframing.” Reframe was performed at Princeton University in 2014 as part of Tula B. Strong’s thesis research.