PBS Arts From Chicago: American Masters Bill T. Jo

Episode 1 of 1

Bill T. Jones, the recipient of a prestigious MacArthur "genius" grant and winner of two Tony Awards, has been named "an irreplaceable treasure" by the The Dance Heritage Coalition. Above all, he is a socially conscious choreographer who never shies away from controversy -- tackling thorny subjects such as race and politics with elegance and intelligence, artistry and originiality. This film is the blood-sweat-and-tears process of mounting a full-evening dance event inspired by the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln - it's about digging and discovery, complexity and conflict, provocation and promise. As Jones searched for Lincoln, he was haunted by brutal stories about his own family history of slavery and nagged by dichotomies about Lincoln. Ultimately, this is about Bill T. Jones and Abraham Lincoln -- both good men, whose courage and convictions, whose instincts and innovations are a testament to the timeless endurance of art and action.

Previously Aired

Day
Time
Channel
10/3/2015
8 p.m.
10/4/2015
2 a.m.
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