Rennie Harris Puremovement - American Street Dance Theater was formed in 1992 by Dr. Rennie Harris. His company is the first and longest-running touring hip hop dance troupe, with a focus on preserving and sharing street dance on stage that expresses universal themes that extend beyond racial, religious, and economic boundaries. Known for creating work that utilizes hip hop movement and also finds its voice in theater, Rennie Harris Puremovement - American Street Dance Theater pioneers a new genre while bringing hip hop culture to the proscenium stage. Recently named Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater`s first Artist in Residence, his latest work 'Lazarus' has received critical acclaim for both its choreography and its music. The company's latest touring programs which include 'Rennie Harris LIFTED' and 'Rennie Harris FUNKEDIFIED' excite audiences while highlighting and exploring current socio-economic issues in our country today.

Touring Programs/ Video Links:

ROME & JEWELS (2022)

Hailed as an Elizabethan masterpiece by critics, 'Rome & Jewels' is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet- reimagined in the streets of Philadelphia. Rome & Jewels broke ground nationally and internationally, winning 3 Bessie awards, a Shakespeare Theater Award and a nomination for United Kingdom's prestigious Lawrence Olivier award to name a few.

Over the past 28 years, RHPM emerged as the international Hip-hop and Street dance ambassadors and we are the only surviving senior member in the world of organized Hip-hop and street dance theater. On the eve of our 30th anniversary, with the now notable lasting presence of Hip-hop culture, we want to take you all back to where it began.

LOSING MY RELIGION (2023)

Based on the plight of humanity, 'Losing My Religion' is an abstract work inspired by Rennie Harris' personal journey and thoughts on the world at large. From war to social, economic and political injustices, our lives are forever caught in a loop of turmoil, grief and despair. Peeling back layers of what has come to be expected of street dance and Hip-hop culture, Losing My Religion is a culmination of past works such as what has become known as his tour de force solo Endangered Species and Lorenzo's Oil. This work will question humanity, its stance and its future. The visual landscape will incorporate a montage of video, slides and graphics by noted visual artist such as Tobin Rothlien and James Clotfelter, the preeminent lighting designer of his generation.

A visual artist since the age of 10 years of age, Harris will create slides in collaboration with invited visual artists. It should be noted that this will be the first time Rennie Harris' acrylic collage work will be seen in public. Losing My Religion will make more than a statement-it will be haunting if not anything.

AMERICAN STREET DANCER (2024)

'American Street Dancer' honors street dancers and their contribution to the field of dance. Narrated by one of Philadelphia's premiere tappers Robert Burden American Street Dancer will unravel the history and aesthetic of some of the nation's noted street dancers. Focusing on the three cities Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit, American Street Dancer will showcase current popular dance styles from these cities while featuring interviews of pioneers who’ve influenced social dance and popular street dance styles throughout the last 30 years. In addition, American Street Dancer features a live Hip-hop Street Orchestra: 3 Bucket Players, 2 Beat Boxers, 1 DJ. A show for all ages, this work marks the end of a trilogy. Legends Of Hip-hop, Rennie Harris Funkedified and now American Street Dancer.

PBS Presents: The Very Moving Rennie Harris

Rennie Harris FUNKEDIFIED 'Rennie Harris FUNKEDIFIED' is a multi-media work that celebrates funk music and street dance of the 1970's and is set against the landscape video montage of African American communities of that era. This program features a live band and seminal locking group `The Hood Lockers` alongside the talented dancers of Rennie Harris Puremovement - American Street Dance Theater, and paints an eclectic, textural landscape of the funk era. Narrated by Rennie Harris, this powerful tribute brings audiences to their feet.
Full-Length Performance of "Rennie Harris FUNKEDIFIED"

Rennie Harris LIFTED 'Rennie Harris LIFTED', loosely based on the story of Oliver Twist, is an evening-length gospel house-work that tells the stories of a band of B-Boys featuring a live choir. Harris addresses the topics of morality, spirituality and community through his newest work. 'Rennie Harris LIFTED' is based on the organic spiritual tapestry of House music and dance which is often referred to as going to `church.`
Act One
Act Two

Nuttin But a Word! 'Nuttin But a Word' features a suite of dances that challenge the structural integrity of Campbell locking, house, hip-hop, and B-boying. Pushing the boundaries of street dance vocabulary, this acclaimed work forces the audience to view hip-hop through a different lens, altering what they think they know as hip-hop dance and culture. Projections including Rennie Harris' commentary on the different styles of hip-hop dance are interspersed between the sections of the dance.

Outreach Programs:

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