Multimedia experience 'Mixtape' works well with intimate crowd

Seated on the stage of Memorial Hall instead of their traditional spot in the seats, audience members had a chance to see an experimental approach to the stage.

Set up with three projection screens, a DJ booth and a drum set, Marc Bamuthi Joseph along with turntablist DJ Excess and percussionist/ beat boxer Tommy Shepherd created a unique multi-media experience with “the break/s: a mixtape for stage.”

Set up in a smaller space, audience members felt a personal connection with Joseph, as if he was speaking directly to them. In the larger setting of a full Memorial Hall the performance would not have had the same intimacy.

 

Theater Review

The Break/s: A Mixtape For Stage
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Friday
4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Combining dance, monologue, rap and video, Joseph gave a performance of personal narrative while addressing matters such as hip-hop culture and race perception.

His recollection of worldwide experiences evaluated hip-hop as a global phenomenon, from different interpretations of hip-hop around the world to the significance it holds for different cultures.

Using humor and sincerity, Joseph told stories about clubs in Japan, the marketplace in Senegal and dance studios in Wisconsin.

The authenticity of his experiences, personal struggles and internal doubts revealed and evoked emotions of insecurity, elation, heartbreak and discomfort.

In one story, Joseph reenacted a dream in which Prince explained the origins of the Mona Lisa.

With sudden changes in movement, lighting, tone of voice and volume of the music, Joseph kept the audience captivated.

Combining music and lighting effects, Joseph used his settings to emphasize his emotions, helping the audience relate to him.

Sometimes Joseph would speak softly in a spotlight, forcing the audience to listen intently. At other times, his voice boomed as the music blared and colorful light bathed the stage and audience.

For the video segments, individuals of varying races and ages answered questions such as, “How do you feel about women and hip-hop?” and “If you could ask Jay-Z one question, what would it be?”

At times, all the components of the performance worked together. Light, music, sound, dance and rap all fit seamlessly. But at other times, everything seemed confused, the stories were nonsensical and the performance seemed obscure.

The confusion was not a detraction from the show, as it illustrated Joseph’s own confusion in certain situations.

Throughout it all, Joseph instilled in the audience the idea that an individual’s identity is composed of many elements and experiences. The kind of experiences he shared Friday night.

 

Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.