A Dance That Questions Every Kind of Belief
Rennie Harris, a Philadelphia street‑dance choreographer, premieres his latest work, Losing My Religion, as part of a national arts series celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday. The piece also marks Harris’s final year at Penn Live Arts.
What the Title Means
The title does not refer to a single religion. Instead, it speaks to the fragility of any set of beliefs people hold as truth. Harris’s journey—from a Catholic upbringing and a childhood dream of priesthood to later explorations of Rastafarianism, Buddhism, and other faiths—reveals a common thread: treat others well.
Personal Moments, Universal Themes
Harris draws on intimate memories to illustrate how identity can feel unstable:
- 1996 Gambia Trip – He felt judged for being white, highlighting how cultural expectations can clash with personal identity.
- Faith Shifts – The realization that long‑held beliefs may be less solid than once thought.
These moments become narrative anchors, encouraging audiences to question their own convictions.
Dance as Dialogue
The choreography blends:
- Breaking
- Hip‑hop
- House dance
with a pronounced focus on the Black experience. Harris intentionally places message over spectacle; the performance invites contemplation rather than mere visual enjoyment.
Audience & Purpose
Targeted at adults, Losing My Religion offers:
- A rich visual tapestry of contemporary dance
- Thought‑provoking questions about belief, identity, and community
Harris aims for a dialogue—viewers are invited to reflect on what they truly believe and how those beliefs shape their interactions.
In Context
- Series: National arts celebration of America’s 250th birthday
- Venue: Penn Live Arts (Harris’s final year)
- Theme: Intersection of faith, identity, and artistic expression
