04/17/2023
The origin story of this piece actually started 10 years ago, when Olivia Kuper Harris, a songwriter from Texas, and Rodney Earl Jackson Jr, a triple threat performer and aspiring activist from California, met at conservatory and became fast friends.
After college, Rodney went on to found , and build a community inspiring change from the ground up. Olivia went on to release records and tour the world as her musical career flourished.
Olivia got a call from Rodney in the fall of 2021, “I want you to write a musical about the day the sky turned orange”. He said.
“A musical? You know I write R&B songs about love, right?” Said Olivia.
“Trust me” replied Rodney.
Olivia enlisted her producing partner, , known for writing and producing the music for Fox’s hit show, “Empire”.
The first writing retreat took place in March 2022 in San Francisco. Olivia and David interviewed people from all ages and walks of life, across the Bay Area, and began writing music and lyrics based on their interviews, as well as the energy of the city, and collective consciousness.
Learn more at sfbatco.org/dsto
📸 (c) Bekah Lynn Photography
