Eric Berryman – GET YOUR ASS IN THE WATER AND SWIM LIKE ME

In this landmark collaboration, Eric Berryman performs an album of toasts: bawdy poetry from the Black-American oral tradition that tells witty, fantastical stories about legendary street heroes. Featuring Berryman and drummer Jharis Yokley. Directed by Kate Valk with production design by Elizabeth LeCompte and sound design by Eric Sluyter. Based on a 1976 LP recorded by folklorist Bruce Jackson.

GET YOUR ASS IN THE WATER AND SWIM LIKE ME is co-commissioned by and was developed in part during a residency at Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.

Development of the piece was also supported by: the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; Antonia & David Belt; and Tom Shapiro.