About

STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA is a 90-minute multimedia concert production highlighting key events of the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1968, making vital connections between then and now. Conceived by American composer Nolan Williams, Jr. and directed by Eric Ruffin, STIRRING THE WATERS is one of the first works to be developed at The Kennedy Center's expansion facility, The REACH. The production commenced touring in February 2020 but was halted thereafter by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Produced by NEWorks Productions in association with Edgewood. 

"Electrifying. Awakening. ...Exquisitely bold and utterly holy." -D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

Press & Reviews

VisitMusicCity.com

The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

"Nashville is first stop for national tour of 'Stirring the Waters Across America'" 


VisitMusicCity.com Staff | January 30, 2020 


"Electrifying musical production debuts Feb. 28 at Vanderbilt University... Offering a fresh take on the struggle for voting rights, Little Rock Nine, Montgomery Bus Boycott, Emmett Till murder and other Civil Rights milestones..."


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The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

"A Civil Rights Journey with 'Stirring the Waters Across America': Stories Told Through Song, Dance and Historical Readings"


By Brenda C. Siler | October 30, 2019


 Electrifying. Awakening. These are words to describe the heart-rending workshop presentation of Stirring the Waters Across America performed at Studio K at The REACH. To call it 

"A Civil Rights Journey with 'Stirring the Waters Across America': Stories Told Through Song, Dance and Historical Readings"


By Brenda C. Siler | October 30, 2019


 Electrifying. Awakening. These are words to describe the heart-rending workshop presentation of Stirring the Waters Across America performed at Studio K at The REACH. To call it anything less would be just plain wrong. ...Though the workshop... was for evaluating and tweaking,... it's difficult to see what more needs to be done to perfect 'Stirring the Waters.' ...It feels just right--right now."

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D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

" ‘Stirring the Waters Across America’ at The REACH is a powerful musical exploration of resistance to racism"


By David Siegel | October 29, 2019


   Though the workshop for “Stirring the Waters Across America” was for evaluating and tweaking, similar to previews for plays or musicals going to Broadway, it’s difficult to see what more needs 

" ‘Stirring the Waters Across America’ at The REACH is a powerful musical exploration of resistance to racism"


By David Siegel | October 29, 2019


   Though the workshop for “Stirring the Waters Across America” was for evaluating and tweaking, similar to previews for plays or musicals going to Broadway, it’s difficult to see what more needs to be done to perfect “Stirring the Waters.” Williams said they are still experimenting with the production. It feels just right — right now.  

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The Washington Post

D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

D.C. Metro Theatre Arts

"A D.C. Composer channels his social conscience into art"


By Michael J. West | October 22, 2019


 “In many ways conversation can be very threatening, in how we approach our tone and what we have to say,” he says. “But music has a way of provoking thought, provoking reflection and challenging social norms in ways that aren’t immediately threatening.” 

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"I Have A Right To Vote"

The award-winning, star-studded viral video—over 1.2 million global views to date—of the voting rights anthem drawn from STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA.

The National Tour

February 2020 kickoff in Nashville, TN at Vanderbilt University

On February 28, 2020, the national tour of STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA kicked off on the campus of Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). Here are compelling images from this performance. 


PHOTO CREDIT: Quentin Cox, courtesy of Vanderbilt University

Residency & Workshop @ The Kennedy Center REACH

In 2019, American composer Nolan WIlliams, Jr. was named a Social Impact Resident at The Kennedy Center REACH. Williams selected STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA as the focal project for his residency, recruiting a creative team, launching a national casting call—with auditions held at The Center in July 2019—and, ultimately, mounting a workshop performance and community talkback in Studio J at The REACH on October 27, 2019.  


An open rehearsal of the project was also a featured event for The REACH Opening Festival on September 7, 2019. 


Check out these images from the residency, open rehearsal, workshop performance and talkback. PHOTO CREDIT: Jermoni Dowd, courtesy of NEWorks Productions

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STWAA Open Rehearsal during The Kennedy Center REACH Opening Festival — September 7, 2019

"...It’s difficult to see what more needs to be done to perfect [it] -The Washington Informer

Creative Team

Produced by NEWorks Productions & Edgewood

Conceived, Written and Music Directed by NOLAN WILLIAMS, JR.

Directed by ERIC RUFFIN

Choreography by KIANA EBONÉ

Projection Design by JON-SESRIE GOFF 

Additional Projection Design by KADESH DuBOSE

Lighting Design by HELEN GARCIA-ALTON

Sound Engineering by MICHAEL WILLIS

Asst. Music Direction by PAUL BYSSAINTHE, JR.

Casting by CHARLES COWARD

National Touring Company

TERIAUNA DURAN 

KIANA EBONE' 

AUSTIN FARROW 

NIKOLAI GRANADOS 

MONIQUE STEELE GRIFFITHS 

CHRISTIAN HARWARD
TAYLOR MILTON
AILEEN MITCHENER
TYESHA NANCE
ROY PATTEN, JR.

CANDACE POTTS 

DANIEL SMITH 

DARRICK SPELLER 

KIMBERLY THEVENIN

Special Acknowledgement

Special thanks to the Howard University Department of Theatre Arts for its role in the development of this work.

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Stirring the Waters Across America 

Copyright © Nolan Williams, Jr. 

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