Artist Spotlight: Reggie Wilson

For more than three decades, choreographer Reggie Wilson has explored how movement carries memory, belief, and cultural identity across generations. As founder and artistic director of the Brooklyn-based Fist & Heel Performance Group, he has developed an internationally recognized practice that blends African diasporic traditions with contemporary dance in what he describes as “post-African/Neo-HooDoo Modern” performance.

His latest work, POWER, continues that exploration by turning to an often-overlooked chapter of American history: the experiences of Black Shakers. Part lecture and part performance, the evening-length work draws on years of research into African diasporic spiritual traditions, ring shouts, and Shaker worship to imagine what Black Shaker worship might have looked like. Through movement, music, and ritual, Wilson invites audiences to reconsider history while expanding conversations about faith, community, and belonging.

A Milwaukee native and graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Wilson has presented his work at leading venues across the United States, Africa, and Europe, earning recognition as one of the foremost voices in contemporary dance.

Artist Talk + Performance: Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group: POWER
Thurs, Oct 1, 6:15–7:15 p.m.
Join us for the Milwaukee Art Museum debut of POWER, the acclaimed dance performance by Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group. Through movement, music, and conversation, this unique program brings new attention to the overlooked history of Black Shakers while exploring the intersections of faith, community, and cultural identity. Experience an evening where history and contemporary choreography come together in powerful new ways.