lost tribes

Inspired by the stories of the lost tribes of Israel, theatre dybbuk presents a full-length theatrical work, rich in movement, original music, and lyrical language that relates ancient mythological and tribal narratives to contemporary questions of integration, appropriation, and belonging.

"A gripping play...[lost tribes] weaves through Jewish history and then crashes into our current reality... Go see it!"

– Jeff Slayton, LA Dance Chronicle

THE SHOW

In the early eighth century BCE, the Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, from whence it has been said that ten of the twelve ancient tribes of Israel were deported and assimilated. These tribes are now lost to history, with a variety of folktales, legends, and theories about their fates having come about since that time. Some are told from the point of view of those who regard themselves as members of a lost tribe, while others are told from an outside perspective in order to make a case for self-serving outcomes.

Framed in the context of a gallery exhibition, lost tribes weaves together stories from the Assyrian conquest to the present day, tracing a world history of assimilation and dominance; of cultural conquest, annihilation, and survival. The performance incorporates choreography by Kai Hazelwood, production design by Leslie K. Gray, and a live percussion score composed by Michael Skloff, created in collaboration with Emilia Moscoso Borja and Alex Shaw. The production is written and directed by theatre dybbuk's artistic director, Aaron Henne, and developed with the ensemble.

THE TEAM

Written and Directed by Aaron Henne

Developed with Jeri Brunoe, Martín Carrillo, Joshua Wolf Coleman, Leslie K. Gray, Nick Greene, Kai Hazelwood, Julie A. Lockhart, Rebecca Rasmussen, Flori Schutzer, Michael Skloff, Dylan Southard, Diana Tanaka, and Jonathan C.K. Williams

Produced by Flori Schutzer

Ensemble: Jeri Brunoe, Joshua Wolf Coleman, Nick Greene, Julie A. Lockhart, Rebecca Rasmussen, Angela Sauer, Diana Tanaka, Jonathan C.K. Williams

Percussionists: Emilia Moscoso Borja and Alex Shaw

Alternate percussionist: Etienne Rivera Cabello

Stage Manager: Danny Crisp

Lighting Designer: Brandon Baruch

Sound Designer: Martín Carrillo

Production Designer: Leslie K. Gray

Choreographer: Kai Hazelwood

Costume Designer: Kathryn Poppen

Composer: Michael Skloff

Dramaturg: Dylan Southard

Sound Mixer: Christopher Bosco

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

lost tribes had its world premiere at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) on February 24 & 25, 2018 and toured to arts and cultural venues around the Los Angeles area throughout that winter and spring. The Los Angeles tour included sold out performances at The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA on March 10 and at Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena on March 29, and performances at Temple Israel of Hollywood on April 7 & 8, 2018.

Upon the conclusion of its initial Los Angeles run, lost tribes toured to The Hive at Leichtag Commons in Encinitas, CA for sold out shows on April 14 & 15, 2018.

On Sunday, August 18, 2019 we offered a free concert reading

of lost tribes at the Mark Taper Auditorium of the Los Angeles Public Library in downtown LA as part of the Library's LA Made series.

PHOTOS | SHOT AT LACE