The First Day

An evocative dance interpretation of Elizabeth Eckford and the Little Rock Nine’s momentous step to desegregate Central High

Sixty-three years ago today, Elizabeth Eckford was one of nine black students to further the civil rights movement by enrolling at the historically segregated Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. The historic images of her courageously walking through an enraged mob of white students, teachers and parents, have been burned into the collective consciousness of activists for equality around the world.

“The silhouettes she leaves behind suggest a moment in history that echoes through time”

The First Day, which was directed by Barnaby Roper and performed by Kendie Jones, is a dance interpretation of Eckford’s walk that day. Its monochrome aesthetic is an evocative nod towards the black-and-white images of Eckford's public ordeal, which was captured by press photographers and republished in papers internationally.

Director - Barnaby Roper

Production Co - Cadence Films

Dancer - Ken Jones

Choreographer - Nina Mcneely

Music Courtesy of Flying Lotus

Exec Producers - Barnaby Roper, Lorenzo Ragionieri, Elisabeth Fabri

Head of Production - Matthew Leiderman

Producer - Chloe Rash

Line Producer - Sabrina Mossberg

Moco Op - Mike Leben

Moco Tech - Adam Francis

Gaffer - Kazmo Kida