News from Prof. Thomas F. DeFrantz

Thomas F. DeFrantz enjoyed a busy summer and first part of the fall!  DeFrantz led a research group at ImPulsTanz called “afroFUTUREqu##r” that encouraged the group to think about dancemaking in relationship to shifting social identities embedded within an afrofuturistic making.  DeFrantz conducted research in a group concerned with Improvisation as a social practice in Denmark and Sweden, and taught in a new “mobile architecture” MFA program at the Centre National de la Danse in Montpellier, France.  Also, taught and performed at the Evolution SOLO Dance festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the Lion’s Jaw festival in Boston, MA.  Performed in the world premiere of Paramodernities at Jacob’s Pillow (photo by Christopher Duggan attached).   

Later this fall, DeFrantz will offer lectures in Toulouse, FR and Berlin, DE on experimental performance and its historical legacies as they might be bound up with discourses of social justice.  

Duke community members are always welcome to stop by the SLIPPAGE lab to see what’s happening and get involved with our research and performance making! Email t.defrantz@duke.edu.