Dirt Empire was commissioned by Kevin Merritt of One Foot Productions to design the projection experience and coordinate the stage design for the Legal Defense Fund’s annual benefit at Jazz at Lincoln Center in the Rose Theater on May 10th 2022.

Dirt Empire created the visual experience that was projected across a stunning 60 foot wide and 30 foot tall five-panel custom scenic projection sculpture (designed by Joshua Zangen and fabricated by Rosebrand) for the duration of the show. This included an opener spoken word performance written and narrated by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, graphics for awardees Hannah Nicole-Jones, Sherrilyn Ifill and Stevie Wonder and performances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Dance Theater of Harlem. 

We were fortunate to collaborate with Narumi Inatsugu of Rumiville, Marc Stepp of Uppercut Media and Alistair Banks Griffin who designed and directed the opener performance video. Dirt Empire was also thrilled to work with 4Wall’s Ben Danielowski and Matt Leland and their team on the projection design for the event. Big thank you to Allison Roithinger our Supervising Producer as well as David Taylor Head of Production at Jazz at Lincoln for their guidance and leadership throughout.

Dirt Empire Credits

Nicholas Rubin Executive Producer and Creative Director
Joe Martin Technical Director
Clementine Seely Supervising Producer
BobbiJo McCauley (Wild Cube Design) Art Director
Noel Paul Post Supervisor and After Effects Artist
Alistair Banks Griffin Opener Director and Editor
Derek Wilkinson Disguise Operator
Annalise Yuri Murphy & Taylor Kenney Additional VFX and Animation
Thanks to Zerospace and 4Wall