The Moody Center for the Arts presents a staged reading of Of the Soil: An Arkansas Anthology, a theatrical adaptation by photographer and filmmaker Geoff Winningham, based on his 2014 book. Directed by Rob Kimbro, this multidisciplinary production brings to life the people, architecture, and music of the American South through projected photographs, spoken monologues, and live performance.

Drawing from Winningham’s extensive archive of more than 3,000 photographs and oral histories, Of the Soil presents several character-driven stories as vignettes, each narrative unfolding before images of the homes, churches, and gathering places that defined their community. The result is a compelling fusion of image, testimony, and music that evokes both the beauty and fragility of a disappearing way of life.

The production features live music by fiddler Ross “Rooster” Holmes and bassist Maxwell Winningham, with original arrangements inspired by Southern folk traditions. Weston Twardowski, a transdisciplinary artist and educator, serves as dramaturg, and Arthur Gottschalk, Professor of Music Composition at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, serves as music consultant.

Both performances are open admission, and tickets are not required, but seating is limited. You can RSVP to add this event to your personal calendar. 

Of the Soil exemplifies the Moody’s mission to incubate creative projects by Rice faculty, foster collaboration across disciplines, and leverage the arts as a lens for understanding culture, history, and place.