Revival Friday: “The Wiz” Dance & Choreography

For this Revival Friday we will be focusing on the “Liberation Ballet’ from “The Wiz”.

DIRECTIONS: With your group, collaborate to conceptualize a modern version of the “Liberation Ballet”. The
dance, in context and intention, should be synonymous with the original. Complete all parts of the worksheet
and be prepared to present your responses, thoughts and ideas with the class.

BONUS POINTS: I will give extra credit to any group who choreographs any part of the dance.

1. What does liberation for all look like in your dance?

2. What is the genre of dance for your “Liberation Ballet”?

3. Why did you choose this genre?

4. How is the genre connected to or reflective of Black culture?

5. How is your dance an act of resistance against white supremacy, and progressive toward the liberation
of Black Americans?

6. What is the new title of your dance?

Revival Friday: “The Wiz” Dance & Choreography
RESOURCES PAGE:

Synopsis of “Brand New Day” & “Liberation Ballet”:

Also known as “Everybody Rejoice”, the song is sung to celebrate after Dorothy has killed Evillene,
the tyrannical Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the
Scarecrow sing the song with the newly freed Winkies, who were ruled and enslaved by Evillene.
The song's many references to freedom and new possibilities invoke the struggles and history of
Blacks in America. In the onscreen version of the song, Nipsey Russell can even be heard exclaiming
"Free at last!"—a reference to Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

The "Liberation Ballet" is primarily instrumental and is composed of uptempo dance music in a
variety of styles, with the film's cast and choir cheering and singing "Can you feel the brand new
day" throughout the piece. It is rebellious and underpins dance as an act of resistance.

Link to "Brand New Day" & "Liberation Ballet" from 1978 Film

Song Lyrics “Brand New Day”:

Everybody look around
'Cause there's a reason to rejoice you see
Everybody come out
And let's commence to singing joyfully
Everybody look up
And feel the hope that we've been waiting for
Everybody's glad
Because our silent fear and dread is gone
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so
joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Everybody be glad
Because the sun is shining just for us
Everybody wake up
Into the morning into happiness
Hello world
It's like a different way of living now
And thank you world
We always knew that we'd be free somehow
In harmony
And show the world that we've got liberty
It's such a change
For us to live so independently
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so
joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Everybody be glad
Because the sun is shining just for us
Everybody wake up
Into the morning into happiness
Hello world
It's like a different way of living now
And thank you world
We always knew that we'd be free somehow
In harmony
And show the world that we've got liberty
It's such a change
For us to live so independently
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so
joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Can't you feel a brand new day?