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Produced by Sozo Creative, Carnival of the Animals is a whimsical story of our shifting societal values told through the lens of the classic work, is a new evening length piece by spoken word artist & activist Marc Bamuthi Joseph (VP/Artistic Director of The Kennedy Center), legendary dancer Wendy Whelan (Associate Artistic Director, New York City Ballet), and acclaimed choreographer Francesca Harper (Artistic Director, Ailey II).

Rooted in the iconic Saint-Saëns composition dating back to 1886, this contemporary vision comes to life with poignant spoken word and transcendent movement, creating a multidisciplinary mixtape sampled with the creators' own personal journeys to reframe their relationships to gender, race, and a perpetually evolving understanding of the world. Carnival of the Animals reaches across genres and generations to unite and energize audiences with a breathtaking performance of body, voice, and sound.

A recipient of 2021 MAP Fund, Carnival of the Animals is currently in development with plans to premiere the work during the 2023-2024 season. The poetry by Marc Bamuthi Joseph for Carnival of the Animals was originally commissioned by National Gallery of Art.