May Day Artist Celebrations

On May 1 from 10–11am, the International Day of the Worker, the Doris Duke Foundation, in partnership with Times Square Arts, will host a participatory choral activation uplifting the essential role of artistic labor and the conditions needed for artists to thrive. Produced by award-winning theater artist Kaneza Schaal, and led by choral artist Troy Anthony and The Fire Ensemble, this hour-long musical gathering welcomes everyone—performers, audience members, and passersby—to join in collective song and solidarity. Additionally, over fifteen performing arts groups will be participating, bringing together their communities in support of artists and arts workers. The event launches Creative Labor, Creative Conditions, a national coalition and campaign championing artists as creative laborers and the need to provide them with proper resources, compensation and support to live and work.

Performers include

• Troy Anthony, composer, director, and theater-maker 
• The Fire Ensemble, community-centered production company led by Troy Anthony
• Deirdre O’Mara School of Irish Dance, Irish dance school 
• Taiko Masala Inc, a Japanese drumming troupe founded by Founded by Master drummer Hiro Kurashima
• Flor de Toloache, Latin Grammy-winning Mariachi group
• Ms. K's Swagga Jumpers, Double Dutch team
• Deidra Braz & FLEXN Dancers, a dance troupe focusing on the style of Flexing
• Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, a traditional Ukrainian choir 

About Troy Anthony‍

Troy Anthony, is a Kentucky-born composer/lyricist, director, and theater-maker based in NYC practicing Black queer joy. He has received commissions from The 5th Avenue Theater, The Civilians, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Public Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and The Shed. He’s enjoyed residencies with BLKSPACE, Chelsea Factory, The O’Neill Theater Center, and Village Theater. Additionally, he’s presented work at Joe’s Pub, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, JACK, Prospect Theater Company, the National Alliance of Musical Theater Conference, and 54 Below. Anthony recently received the Vivace Award from the Bret Adams and Paul Reisch Foundation.

As an actor, Anthony has been seen in the Public Theater’s As You Like It, Hercules, and Twelfth Night, as well as Prospect Theater Company’s Tamar of the River. Anthony’s work lives at the intersection of art, social justice, and community practice. In this spirit, he recently founded Fire Ensemble Inc. as a home to develop his work and to share the joy of singing in community. The Fire Ensemble is currently being incubated by The Shed.

About Fire Ensemble

‍Led by creative director Troy Anthony, The Fire Ensemble is an intergenerational choir community for New Yorkers currently being incubated by The Shed. With the intention of exploring new ways of collaborating with artists at the intersection of artistic practice and community-building, The Shed will provide space, resources, and strategic consultation to this project and its members, counting on them for creative leadership and thought partnership.

About Doris Duke Foundation‍

Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) encourages a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment. DDF wants every team member to feel empowered to bring their diverse perspectives, experiences and skills to advance our mission to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. DDF values imagination and creativity – the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.