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Marjuan Canady

Marjuan Canady

2025-26 Artistic Research Fellow

The Ball

The Ball is a feature length historical narrative that centers on the first Black debutante ball, which took place in 1778 in New York. The film explores the intersection of race, gender, and class in colonial America told through the eyes of a young free African-American woman, shedding light on the complexities of Black identity during a pivotal period in American history. By delving into the stories of free and enslaved Black communities in pre-Revolutionary New York, The Ball seeks to illuminate a largely forgotten chapter of Black cultural resistance and self-definition. The project not only examines the historical significance of the debutante ball but also highlights the enduring legacy of Black cultural traditions and their impact on contemporary society.