COTTON is a spellbinding multimedia song-cycle bringing together John Dowell’s extraordinary photography of cotton, taken in South Carolina, with newly commissioned poems by renowned American poets. Brilliantly set to music by composer Damien Geter, this moving work is brought to life by mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and baritone Justin Austin, and unfolds against the backdrop of enormous, constantly evolving projected images. Especially resonant in Charleston, this profound journey delves deep in the world of cotton, balancing tragic history with resilience and hope. Presented on the Friday of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, COTTON arrives at a moment primed for reflection, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with history in a way that is as thought-provoking as it is moving. Audiences are invited to a pre-show panel discussion at 6:00pm on January 15; more information to be announced