Be Holding is a large-scale performance staged on the basketball court of the Thelma Lovette YMCA. Based on Ross Gay’s poem Be Holding and directed by Brooke O’Harra, the performance draws on the poem’s love song to legendary basketball player Julius Erving—known as “Dr. J”—who dominated courts in the 1970s and 1980s as a small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers. The poem and its iteration as the performance BE HOLDING connects Dr. J’s famously impossible move from the 1980 National Basketball Association Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers to Black flight and joy. This performance engages a dynamic collective of artists, as well as high school students from Pittsburgh, who are joining the production as performers and technical support.

The performance is scored and conducted by Tyshawn Sorey for improvisation by the ensemble Yarn/Wire. Be Holding is directed by Brooke O’Harra. The text is performed by Ross Gay and poet David Gaines and is accompanied by a three-channel video installation designed by Catching on Thieves and Matt Deinhart. Lighting is by Itohan Edoloyi. Sound design is by Eugene Lew. Be Holding’s stage manager is Amir Watkins. Be Holding was originally developed in residency as part of Girard College’s Campus for the City Program and premiered in Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2023, at Girard College.

Yarn/Wire, Ross Gay, and David Gaines will be joined on the court by an ensemble of Pittsburgh based teenagers: Shombay Akoban, Isaac Walker, Jesselyn Welsh, Mira Chiarini, Kayaerah Clokey, Unique Dukes, Jewelisa Dutrieulle, Kyrai Nembhard, Te’Mar Carlise, Lorelie Myers, and Nickala Tulloch.

Registration

Carnegie Museum members, your member discount will be applied at checkout. Students, please email programs@carnegieart.org for information on how to get a student discount.

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