Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness
music by Gabriela Ortiz
for voices, percussion, flute, dancers, and The Crossing
produced and directed by Steve Jiménez
based on art of James Drake

tierra. trample. bless.
collaborate. choral theatre.
dance for your grief, for the earth, for us.

Inspired by James Drake’s epic drawing of the same title, Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness is an immersive performance that unfolds in five movements, with music by Gabriela Ortiz and text and lyrics by award-winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz telling a story from the perspective of “the Earth, the Land, the Soil, the Sand,” which “do not demand our daughters and our sons as sacrifices.”

The multidisciplinary collaboration features stage movement by artist Shaun Leonardo, accompanied by local US military veteran performers; additional music by master flutist Alejandro Escuer; percussion quartet, and dancers from Houston Ballet Academy, all conducted by Donald Nally.