The Last First: Professional Dancemaking in COVID-era Chicago

“With the usual charisma and a little less fandagle, “The Last First” is Dance Crash’s solution to pandemic performance… exhibiting boundless joy and confidence and dancing like the world isn’t on fire.” – SeeChicagoDance

Praised after its limited debut in the fall of 2020, Crash is excited to release its COVID-era documentary FREE to the public for all to see!

How’s it been to create dance (and just live) in Chicago lately? “The Last First” chronicles March-October with personal narratives and insight from Artistic Director Jessica Deahr and the dancers as they detail their unique experiences returning to the studio post-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of citywide social protests, strict health and safety guidelines and the uncertainty of what the next day will bring; see how the team persevered with optimism and high spirits to create three brand new dance works in a unique performance season that no one will soon forget.

Extended excerpts of three World Premiere works are also included – filmed in HD on the stage of the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago’s South Side. The new works include “Elastic” by Artistic Director Jessica Deahr with Rehearsal Director KC Bevis as well as “Show & Tell” by Milwaukee-based hip hop choreographer Jasper Sanchez. Additionally a brand new celebratory House section by Chicago-based Funk dancer Keeley Morris puts the finishing touches on Amirah Sackett’s work, “Sikeena.”

The film’s cast includes Deahr and Bevis along with Diamond Burdine, Logan Howell, Kristi Licera, Kelsey Reiter, Monternez Rezell, Porscha Spells and Jessica Leyva. Primary footage was filmed by the dancers & Deahr themselves along with donated footage from several local artists and organizations.