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Verdigris Ensemble, a Dallas-based choral group, is using its music to shed light on environmental justice issues in its upcoming concert, the final performance of its seventh season. The ensemble will present “Mis-Lead,” a 60-minute multimedia musical piece that focuses on the residents of West Dallas who have endured chronic diseases and fatalities due to elevated levels of lead from local industries for decades. The concert will take place at Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas from April 5th to April 7th.
The concept for “Mis-Lead” originated in 2020 when Sam Brukhman, Artistic Director of Verdigris Ensemble, connected with Keri Mitchell, the Executive Director of Dallas Free Press. Brukhman proposed the project after discovering Mitchell’s passion for Dallas history.
“Verdigris’ mission is to transform the world through immersive storytelling, and with West Dallas, we are doing just that,” said Brukhman. “Every city has a mixed history that provides context into its character. The good and bad about a city build characteristic elements amongst its residents. I would argue that West Dallas is one of the most representative communities of the city, particularly in terms of resilience, courage, bravery, and never backing down.”
The musical composition for “Mis-Lead” was commissioned to Kirsten Soriano, who expressed her deep connection to nature and her sadness upon learning about the challenges faced by children in West Dallas. Soriano collaborated with documentary film director Michael Flanagan to capture firsthand accounts from West Dallas residents impacted by heavy industry.
The concert will feature narratives from inspirational figures like Luis Sepulveda and Janie Cisneros, highlighting the community’s resilience and activism. The performance will incorporate a wide range of sources, including interviews, articles, poetry, and air sensor readings.
Director Flanagan emphasized the power of storytelling in addressing environmental justice issues, stating, “Verdigris Ensemble is tackling these issues in a uniquely creative way that incorporates a variety of technologies while involving the local community.”
Musically, Soriano focused on themes of resilience and community determination, aiming to convey the enduring hardships faced by West Dallas residents.
“West Dallas has had one of the most toxic environments in the United States, which has largely not been publicized,” Brukhman explained. “The citizens in that area have displayed an inordinate amount of perseverance and resilience amidst literally having poisonous lead in their bodies.”
Through the power of music, “Mis-Lead” aims to raise awareness of Dallas’s darker history and spark meaningful conversations about environmental justice.
“Our goal is not political, it is human,” Brukhman emphasized. “No one can argue with the human experience because it transcends the political left and right, the democrat and republican.”