WED—February 19—7 PM, free

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Nordic Utopia?Series

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Presented in coordination with the ongoing exhibition Nordic Utopia?, join us on February 19 for a screening and discussion of Dancing Prophet (1971), directed by Bruce D’Aubert Baker, and An Encomium for Doug Crutchfield, a short directed by Amir George.

Following the screening, Dr. Davia J. Crutchfield, Doug Crutchfield’s great-niece will speak with Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, about Crutchfield’s story and lasting impact in the performing arts today.

About Dancing Prophet (1971)

Bruce Baker’s documentary Dancing Prophet presents the personal mission of Cincinnati-born Doug Crutchfield (1938 – 1989), who performed and taught dance in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Lund, Sweden, for 24 years.

“When I was a teenager, I always felt like a lion in a cage,” Crutchfield comments, revealing the feelings that catalyzed his search for creative freedom in the Nordics. Crutchfield’s father, a Baptist minister, shares his unfulfilled desire to see Douglas follow in his footsteps, yet he ultimately expresses acceptance of the chosen path. The film’s title alludes to Crutchfield’s vision— “the dancing spirit of humanity.”

After Crutchfield’s extended residency in Copenhagen, he returned to Cincinnati in 1986. On his headstone, the moniker “Dancing Prophet” was inscribed along with a dedication from his “Scandinavian Friends.”

About An Encomium for Doug Crutchfield

Amir George’s short film is a posthumous homage to the legacy of dancer Doug Crutchfield, featuring Doug’s family as they recount memories and contemplate his magic and the life he lived.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Davia J. Crutchfield, Ph. D. is a creative strategist, communications specialist, and writer. She combines her skills as a cultural researcher and writer with her passion for art and storytelling. She’s self-described as having “a heart of a poet in the body of a researcher.” Her professional objective is to uplift Black narratives in academic and non-traditional spaces through creative media. Dr. Crutchfield received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Howard University. Her interdisciplinary research intersects areas of communication, cultural studies, music, gender, and spirituality. She is the creator and co-founder of BL&CK (pronounced “and Black”), a community-centered organization combining arts and entertainment, with culture and history. Founded in 2018, BL&CK operates with a two-fold mission: 1) to provide motivational content and products for creative communities; and 2) to provide spaces for creatives to present their works as part of a communal collective. Dr. Crutchfield and her beloved husband, Michael Bernard, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio with their dog, Zoe Pound.

Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, has risen to the top of the ballet world through sheer determination and artistic excellence. After starting ballet at age 14, he gained recognition as a finalist in the Youth America Grand Prix, which led to a scholarship at ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Within two years, he was promoted to ABT II, and his subsequent growth earned him a position with ABT Main Company, nominations for the Clive Barnes Award and the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship and Artist-in-Residence of Vail Dance Festival. In 2017, he was promoted to Soloist, and his performances in Swan Lake and Manon garnered glowing reviews. In 2019, Calvin made his acclaimed debut as Apollo in George Balanchine’s Apollo. In 2020, he made history as the third African-American Principal Dancer in ABT’s 81-year history. Calvin has performed worldwide, collaborating with renowned choreographers, and in 2024, he curated and co-produced the Joyce Theater’s Ballet Festival program UNITE. His journey reflects resilience, mentorship, and the transformative power of dance. For more visit calvinroyaliii.com