Social Change with Julius Eastman's "Stay On It"

The theme for this week is: Social Change

Stay On It is an orchestral performance by Julius Eastman, a composer whose music explored his identities as a gay man and Black American.

This version is produced by a collective of independent arts organizations: Castle of Our Skins, Challenge the Stats, Contemporaneous, Kyle Marshall Choreography, and The Dream Unfinished.

It is dedicated to essential workers of color in the United States.

Step 1:
I will watch this video

Keywords I should know...

Cartoon emoji of person speaking at a podium with arms outstretched. Another person with a raised fist, speaks into a megaphone.

Social Change

Taking action to make change happen in our society.

Essential Workers

People whose jobs help ensure our safety and health.

For example: people who work in healthcare, public safety, food production, and sanitation.

Cartoon emoji of brown feet, toes pointed towards the ground

Gestures

These are movements I can make with my body.

They can tell a story.

As I watch, I will notice...

Music

How does the music change throughout the video?
When does it move fast?
When does it move slow?
How does the music make me feel?

Musicians

How many musicians are performing?
What instruments are they playing?
What is my favorite instrument?

Close up of Terrance McKnight, an African American man wearing a light green shirt

Close-up of Brandie Sutton, an African American woman wearing a white shirt. She is singing and her mouth is open.

Words

The singer repeats “stay on it” over and over. What does that mean to me?
The speaker shares a story, what words stand out to me?
What do I notice about their facial expressions?

Dancers

How many dancers are performing?
What movements are they making?
What do I notice about the colors?

Close-up of dancer Bria Bacon, arm above her head. She looks directly at the camera with red backlighting

Close-up of Dance Director and Performer Kyle Marshall waving at the camera with green backlighting

Close-up of dancer Bria Bacon, hands crossed at the wrists covering her face from the camera with blue backlighting

Close-up of Dance Director and Performer Kyle Marshall arm stretched across his chest, with yellow backlighting

Step 2:
Gesture Storytelling

Gestures are movements that tell a story.

First, I will pick my 3 favorite gestures.

Some gestures are open and inviting...

Close-up of Dance Director and Performer Kyle Marshall arm stretching out towards the camera, with yellow backlighting

Close-up of dancer Bria Bacon, arms stretched upwards in a shadowy room with red backlighting

Some gestures are closed and just for me...

Close-up of dancer Bria Bacon, looking down, hands covering her mouth. Red and yellow backlighting in a shadowy room.

Close-up of dancer Bria Bacon, looking directly at the camera, her hands cover her mouth. Red and purple backlighting.

Close-up of Dance Director and Performer Kyle Marshall looking at the camera, palms together, behind him is an abstract artwork

Then, I will practice my favorite gestures.

I will try them in an order. I can try them again in a different order.

What story are my gestures telling?

Step 3:
Performance

I will create my own performance.

My performance will tell a story of the change I want to make happen.

First, I will pick a title

This can be a change I want to make happen.

In the video the singer repeats “stay on it”

"Stay On It" in white text in the center on black background. Four small squares feature musicians performing

What will my title be?

I want to ____________________________________________

For example: I want to support my neighbors who are essential workers

I will practice saying, singing, or writing my title.

Then I will pick my inspiration

This video is inspired by the life of Julius Eastman.

Who or what am I inspired by?

I am inspired by ____________________________________________

For example: I am inspired by Julius Eastman's "Stay On It"

I will practice saying, singing, or writing my inspiration.

Then I will pick 3 gestures that represent change

They could connect to Kyle Marshall’s choreography or I can create my own.

My gestures will express the change I want to make happen.

I will practice my gestures and create a sequence - putting them in order.

Next, I will pick a color

Four blocks of color: Blue, Red, Green, Yellow

This color will represent the change I want to make happen.

I can use this color during my performance. I can wear clothes with this color, or pick my favorite object in this color to use in my background.

Last, I will pick a sound-maker

The video ends with the musicians shaking things to make different sounds.

I will pick my favorite sound-making object to use in my performance.

12 small squares across 4 rows, each featuring a different artist, some play instruments or sound-makers like bells or maracas

Activity

Now that I have thought about what to include in my performance, I can put everything together.

1. I will say or sing my title

Cartoon emoji of a yellow person with brown hair and black dress, behind a microphone

2. Then I will say or sing my inspiration.

Cartoon emoji of a lightbulb glowing yellow

3. Then I will perform my gestures.

I can move around my space

Cartoon emoji of a yellow figure, arms outstretched at the shoulders, one elbow bent up, and one leg lifted at the knee

4. I will finish my performance by using my sound-maker.

This is my way of sharing my change with the world.

Six instruments: clappers, maracas, tambourines, wood block, triangle

Step 4: Spread the Word

I can help spread the word about the change I want to make.

I can tell people about Julius Eastman.

I can learn more about Julius Eastman and the organizations involved in the video.

I can repeat my performance for family and friends.

I can invite them to perform with me.

Cartoon emoji of eight people of varying age and race, a cat and dog

I can draw a poster showing others my change:

First, add my title

Then, draw or write what my change looks like

Last, add my color

I can share my performance by sending pictures or a video to access@lincolncenter.org

Explore More

Extension Questions:

This performance is dedicated to essential workers of color.

How do essential workers help keep all of us safe and healthy?
Why do you think these artists wanted to celebrate essential workers of color?
Who are some people that I want to celebrate? Why?

Additional Links:

To learn more about Julius Eastman and his style of minimalist music, visit this website.
To learn more about Lincoln Center Passport programs, click here.

To learn about the arts organizations involved in this video:

Castle of our Skins, click here.
Challenge the Stats, click here.
Contemporaneous, click here.
Kyle Marshall Choreography, click here.
The Dream Unfinished, click here.

Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your story or art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.

Click below for a printable copy of these activities:

Lincoln Center - Passport Program - Stay On It [Activism]

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