COMPOSER'S NOTE

REDWOOD IS A DRAMEDY THAT BOLDY OPENS THE CONVERSATION OF DNA, RACE, AND THE BURDEN OF CARRYING RACIAL TRAUMA IN BLACK AMERICA, USING THE CONVICTIONS OF DANCE, MOVEMENT, AND RACIAL GENEaLOGY. THE PLAY HILARIOUSLY EXPLORES AN INTERRACIAL COUPLE, Meg and Drew, whose GROWING RELATIONSHIP IS DERAILED BY THE DISCOVERY OF THEIR ANCESTRAL LINEAGE, REVEALING THEir relation-by-distant blood. THE DISCOVERY CALLS INTO QUESTION WHETHER THEIR RELATIONSHIP CAN ENDURE despite THEIR RESPECTIVE ANCESTORS' role as a Slave and slave owner.

The music often follows the trajectory of Meg and Drew's relationship as well as the dark past of their ancestors. StevIe, Meg's uncle, thOroughly quotes the burden of this knowledge as 'cellular pain,' which was a theme that inspired my work. Stylistically, the compositions utlize the genre of hip-hop, top 40 Pop, Gospel and Trap Music to drive the dancE aspects of the production while the transitional compositions featureD Echoed, tribally inspired vocalisms with background vocals layered with african drums & Percussion. To aid Phillip Johnson's Sound Design, the combinations of these styles helped bring an identity to the show and its characters, who all share a common ripplING effect perpetuated by a dark lineage.

​For more, please Read Portland Center Stage's 'The Original Music of Redwood.' ​
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