World Premiere of Site-Specific Work for Mixed Chorus & Electronics Makes Art Through Activism

Excerpts from review by Jennifer Pyron

For Opera Wire

Photo Credit: Toby Tenenbaum

"The world premiere of Brooklyn Youth Chorus’ “Port(al),” co-created by Chorus founder and artistic director Dianne Berkun Menaker; co-composer Paola Prestini; co-composer and co-librettist Jad Abumrad; director, designer, co-librettist, and co-choreographer Jessica Grindstaff; and co-choreographer Ogemdi Ude, debuted on May 1, 2025 at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Agger Fish Building. “Port(al)” is a site-specific work for mixed chorus and electronics, telling the stories of past, present, and future voices through song, video, movement, and sound."

“Port(al)” gives voice to a generation that has no filter and does not want one – a generation raised to feel powerless and now hell-bent on making the changes we as a society absolutely need right now. This is art as activism."

"The musical composition wove together historical moments in a beautiful tapestry of unified force designed to intoxicate the mind. All the while, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus embodied the space through the choreographic work of Jessica Grindstaff and Ogemdi Ude. This production asks deep questions, especially through its libretto, that require more than a verbal response. “Port(al)” examines the meaning of historical evolution and how activism embodies the change we want to see ‘happen.’ The voices of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus resounded like a drum in the space, beating at the heartstrings of everyone in the audience – and beyond."

Read Opera Wire review in full here