CHOREOGRAPY
& DIRECTION
"Combining beauty with a drive to prove we can do better for one another, Barnhill's work is interactive in that it leaves viewers reminded of the same directive we too often ignore: that we are all participants in the world, and a deep internal look is required to discover our part in improving it for each other."
- R.Rafferty, CITY's Life
As a Black, queer artist, I blend dance,
music, and theater to express my identity
and advocate for diversity. My art, rooted in activism, aims to be transformative and inclusive, crafting narratives and sharing
my perspective to promote connection and conversation within my professional practice, productions, and teaching pedagogy.
For a detailed view of my directorial and choreographic work, including full credits and access to complete pieces (subject to restrictions), contact me at HettieBarnhill@gmail.com.
EXCERPTS
Once on This Island (2025)
Produced: Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY, performed at Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany, NY
Director/Choreographer: Hettie Barnhill
This beloved, award-winning musical tells the story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. Guided by the powerful island gods—Erzulie, Asaka, Papa Ge, and Agwe—Ti Moune embarks on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. Based on Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love, the show explores themes of love, colorism, classism, and sexism. Significantly, this production features a cast of 24 actors, all of color—a historic first for this musical in the Capital Region.
Facing 'Isms' Towards a Shared Sky (2024)
Union College Theater and Dance Department Schenectady, NY
Director: Hettie Barnhill
A new devised play exploring the impact of international conflicts, focusing on Palestine, Haiti, and Ukraine. It is driven by the central question: What connects these nations, and how do we, as distant observers, reconcile our proximity to these struggles—or even recognize it at all?
This play was developed through both a self-written and devised process, drawing from a collection of texts, including documented notes from the Through the Portal conference held in Chicago from September 20-22, 2024, personal poems, and reflections on my own feelings of duality in existence. Additionally, it was inspired by essays from the book Light in Gaza. Thank you to my amazing cast, creative, and production team!
Handle with Care (2024)
Union College Theater and Dance Department Schenectady, NY
Director: Hettie Barnhill
a choreographic work inspired by a quote from Alice Walker: "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." This particular quote resonated with me, both as a choreographer and on a personal level, as it echoes the lessons imparted to me by my mother and grandmother. As a Black, queer woman, the concept of power and its manifestation in my life has been a subject of continual reflection and inquiry. This piece serves as both a movement-based dialogue and an exploration of power dynamics, posing the question: Is power inherently negative, or does it simply require careful management and consideration?
The Soldier's Tale (2017)
Nazareth College Arts Center
Patti Lewis Browne (Stage Director), Hettie Barnhill (Choreographer)
Produced by Nazareth College’s Igor Stravinsky and C. F. Ramuz's "The Soldier's Tale." Based on a Russian folktale, it narrates the story of a soldier who trades his fiddle for material wealth, only to realize the greater value of his lost happiness and talent. The piece, conceived to be "read, played, and danced," showcased the integration of diverse artistic disciplines.
Skeleton Crew (2023)
Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY (BTTUNY) @ The REP, Albany, NY
Director: Hettie Barnhill
Set during the Great Recession, Dominique Morisseau's "Skeleton Crew" unfolds in one of Detroit's last auto stamping plants. The play examines the personal and moral dilemmas faced by the workers as they confront the plant's potential closure, weaving a narrative of power, ambition, and survival.
‘What director Hettie Barnhill has done within the confines of her one-set show is illuminate the many varied worlds these four people inhabit. Barnhill and her team have given us not so much a play, but a piece of life as these folks lived it. This is a triumph for Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York’.
- J. Peter Bergman The Berkshire Edge
Woke-ness in the Body & Freedom Dance Floors (2023)
Skidmore Dance Theater
Choreographer/Composer: Hettie Barnhill
The production addresses social justice issues through the lens of wokeness. It highlights iconic dance clubs as platforms for free expression, scrutinizing the term 'woke' and advocating for social awareness and empathy towards marginalized communities.
Vinegar Tom (2019)
Associate Director/Choreographer: Hettie Barnhill
Set in 17th Century England, Caryl Churchill's "Vinegar Tom" confronts gender and power dynamics through the witchcraft trials. The play, produced by Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department and Theatre League, compares the historical marginalization of women with contemporary issues.
SKIN | DISORDERED (2022)
Choreographer/Composer: Hettie Barnhill
Venue: Skidmore Dance Theater
This Afro Contemporary Dance piece uses text and media to reflect on anti-blackness, racism, and colorism, drawing parallels between Jim Crow laws and contemporary societal issues.
The Head of The Table (2018)
KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival @ School Of The Arts: Allen Main Stage Theatre, Rochester, NY
Director: Hettie Barnhill
Barnhill's choreo-play delves into abuse and trauma, highlighting its cyclical nature and generational impact. It explores the diverse manifestations of abuse through the experiences of a group of relatives gathered around a table.
A Love Letter to Brian, Lesley, and Michelle (2020)
Director: Hettie Barnhill
This immersive film uses dance, theatre, and text to engage with the #BLACKLIVESMATTER movement and race relations in America. It challenges viewers to confront their biases and roles in ongoing civil rights struggles.
Roll the Credits (2023) - Music Video
Director: Hettie Barnhill
Filmed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this music video featuring the incredible Danielle Ponder, intertwines spirituality with culture, dance, music, and nature, reflecting the artist's lyrical journey in a vibrant, rhythmic backdrop.
In Common-LGB (2019)
Mad Festival, Rochester, NY
Director: Hettie Barnhill
"In Common - LGB" examines the feminist movement through the lens of race, focusing on the varied experiences and challenges faced by women, particularly in dealing with insecurities, sexism, and anti-blackness.
