Poster by Cassidy Wright. Photo by Will Major.
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who we are...
Higher Ground is a community arts organization based in Harlan County, Kentucky. Higher Ground has worked with community members and visiting artists to create photography exhibits, tile mosaics, and plays. Each of these projects rely heavily on oral histories collected by Harlan Countians and about Harlan Countians. Higher Ground is a project of the Appalachian Program at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.
In addition to Higher Ground, our office is also home to several other cultural and revitalization projects. For more information on these projects,
please visit our PROJECTS page.
In addition to Higher Ground, our office is also home to several other cultural and revitalization projects. For more information on these projects,
please visit our PROJECTS page.
HIGHER GROUND 9: SHIFT CHANGE
DEBUTS APRIL 23, 2021
Higher Ground, a part of the Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Appalachian Program, is thrilled to announce its 9th community performance, Shift Change. The original musical drama, created in the past year by people in Harlan County in collaboration with guest artists, is based on interviews collected by SKCTC students and community members. Shift Change uses story and song to process the events of the past year. The family-friendly play explores Harlan’s African-American history, in particular the Georgetown community, and includes a discussion of a Black Lives Matter rally in Harlan in June 2020 and the role of law enforcement in the community. The play also explores the community’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Shift Change is directed by Keith McGill of Louisville. SKCTC theater professor Kate Handzlik is the assistant director and stage manager. SKCTC music professor Ryland Pope and Harlan-based band The
Kudzu Killers created the original musical arrangements. Chicago-based Kevin Iega Jeff choreographed the play with support from
Kaitlyn Skidmore Patel. Aerial dance by Sierra Hatfield and Bridgett Howard. Maranda Marie DeBusk of Atlanta is Lighting Designer and
Cassidy Wright is Production Designer. Will Major coordinated video production. Over seventy-five community members have been involved in the production of Shift Change.
Show dates are April 23, 24, 30 and May 1 at 7:30 pm at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Harlan campus, 164 Ballpark Rd. Harlan, KY 40831. The production will be staged outdoors with some actors and musicians pre-recorded and presented onscreen and some live. Attendees will have the option to sit socially distanced or watch from their vehicles. Masks are required of all patrons. Reservations are highly recommended. Click here to make a reservation. For more information, please call (606) 589-3136 or email Kate Handzlik at khandzlik0001@kctcs.edu.
Support for Shift Change and Higher Ground comes from Brook and Pam Smith, AlternateROOTS, and Dr. Vic Adams and the SKCTC administration.
Kudzu Killers created the original musical arrangements. Chicago-based Kevin Iega Jeff choreographed the play with support from
Kaitlyn Skidmore Patel. Aerial dance by Sierra Hatfield and Bridgett Howard. Maranda Marie DeBusk of Atlanta is Lighting Designer and
Cassidy Wright is Production Designer. Will Major coordinated video production. Over seventy-five community members have been involved in the production of Shift Change.
Show dates are April 23, 24, 30 and May 1 at 7:30 pm at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Harlan campus, 164 Ballpark Rd. Harlan, KY 40831. The production will be staged outdoors with some actors and musicians pre-recorded and presented onscreen and some live. Attendees will have the option to sit socially distanced or watch from their vehicles. Masks are required of all patrons. Reservations are highly recommended. Click here to make a reservation. For more information, please call (606) 589-3136 or email Kate Handzlik at khandzlik0001@kctcs.edu.
Support for Shift Change and Higher Ground comes from Brook and Pam Smith, AlternateROOTS, and Dr. Vic Adams and the SKCTC administration.
POSTPONED DUE TO COVID 19
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Project staff...Robert Gipe
Higher Ground- Executive Producer Southeast Kentucky Revitalization Project- Design Education Coordinator Alexia Ault Southeast Kentucky Revitalization Project- Project Director Higher Ground- Staff Marsha Griffey Southeast Kentucky Revitalization Project- Project Coordinator Mike Allison Creative Capital Investment Assessment- Project Coordinator |
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Black and white photographs courtesy of Maranda DeBusk, lighting designer for Find a Way.