Black by Nature presented by National Center for Choreography-Akron (NCCAkron)

On October 5, 2025, the National Center for Choreography-Akron (NCCAkron) will present a work-in-process showing of Akron-based choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson’s newest piece, Black by Nature. The free performances will take place at 12:30 PM and 3 PM along the Prather Trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park, part of Summit Metro Parks.

Set in an outdoor environment, the work blends dance, spoken word, and live acoustic guitar by Akron jazz musician Dan Wilson. Designed as an immersive, sensory experience, the performance encourages audiences to move through the landscape while engaging with the unfolding narrative.

Photo of Dominic Moore-Dunson by Lisa DeJong

Black by Nature explores the complexities of Black identity within natural spaces, addressing themes of safety, grief, and redemption. It reflects on what it means to be Black in nature and how returning to land can be both a site of confrontation and a pathway to healing.

Moore-Dunson is recognized for his distinctive “Urban Midwest Storytelling” style, rooted in his Black, post-industrial upbringing in Akron. His previous works include inCOPnegro: Aftermath, which examines policing and healing, and The Remember Balloons, an intergenerational piece that has toured nationally. NCCAkron has supported his career through residencies, research initiatives, and development programs, making Black by Nature the latest evolution of his ongoing artistic journey. Read more