Event Info
Content warning: Descriptions of violence, self harm, & sexual assault. Production elements may include smoke.
Join us for a work-in-process showing of BĀS by 2022/23 BRIClab Performing Arts residents Sugar Vendil and Janelle Lawrence.
BĀS is a Black and Asian bridging project by composer-musicians and interdisciplinary artists Janelle Lawrence and Sugar Vendil. It seeks to address racial tensions and foster mutual understanding, empathy, and healing through active listening, music, movement, and storytelling.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sugar Vendil (she/her) is a composer, pianist, and interdisciplinary artist based in Lenapehoking, known as Brooklyn. Her compositions span acoustic and electronic music, and her interdisciplinary practice integrates music and movement. Her work is introspective, ruminating on memory and experience. Vendil enjoys collaboration. In 2021, she wrote music for a short film by Jih-E Peng for Amanda Phingbodipakkiya’s “May We Know Our Own Strength” and is dancing in choreographer Emily Johnson/Catalyst’s “Being Future Being.” As a 2016 Fellow in the Target Margin Institute for Collaborative Theater Making, she was encouraged to further pursue composition. Residencies include High Concept Labs, Mabou Mines, Marble House Project, National Sawdust (Summer Labs), Avaloch Farm, Arts Letters & Numbers, and Yaddo. She recently quit social media to free up valuable time and brain space, focus on creating community offline, and do more long-form writing. Stay updated on her performances, news, and contemplations by signing up for her newsletter at sugarvendil.com.
Janelle / Jei Lawrence (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist that investigates the depth of strength with stories that explore the complex layers of perspective. They have had their musicals presented at various Theaters such as The Kennedy Center (Beast girl), Legoland New York, Joe’s Pub (Group Therapy), Seattle Public Theater (The Suffrage Play), and National Black Theatre (Trenzas & WET). They have been residents of the 92nd St Y Musical Theatre Development Lab: Collective, Greenhouse Residency SPACE on Ryder Farm and Barn Arts Hamilton Project Resident. They are a Juilliard School Evening Division alumni, and a 2020 & 2022 Recipient of NBT’s Soul Series Lab – Playwriting Micro-Development Session. They are an Adjunct Professor of Musical Theatre History at Point Park University, and the Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Harvest Collegiate High School. www.janellelawrence.com.
Major support for BĀS provided by the Asian Women Giving Circle, a donor advised fund of the Ms. Foundation for Women.
ABOUT BRICLAB: PERFORMING ARTS
BRIClab: Performing Arts is a commissioning and residency development program for emerging and established local artists to explore and expand the possibilities of their work in music, dance, theater and multi-disciplinary performance. Free exploration and rigorous commitment to process, with the support of the staff and resources that BRIC offers, are at the heart of the BRIClab program. Artists receive stipends and an exclusive 12-day intensive residency in the multi-purpose Artist Studio with development time, artistic mentoring, and work-in-process performances.
BRIC House is Brooklyn’s cultural living room: a 40,000 square foot multi-disciplinary arts and media complex where emerging and established artists can create work that deepens their practice and engages the diverse communities of the borough.
COVID-19 policy: Attendees of any BRIC House programming do not have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter the building. Masks are encouraged but not required in all BRIC operated spaces. To learn more, visit:
BRIC IS COMMITTED TO WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES
The main floor of BRIC House has an accessible entrance on Rockwell Place, in addition to an accessible, all-gender bathroom. The BRIC Media Center, located on the 2nd floor, is accessible via elevator. The Gallery level is accessible via a wheelchair lift. Portable FM assistive listening devices are available for programs on the Stoop and in the Ballroom upon request. To make specific access requests for an in-person or virtual program, please contact [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event of interest.
