The Sister Moses Project was conceived in 1998 when Renee Davis relocated to Austin, Texas with her husband and children from Phoenix, Arizona. After 14 years of working with Desert Dance Theatre as dancer, teacher, rehearsal director, choreographer, costumer and later as one of the company’s three Artistic Directors, Renee wanted to share the exciting work they had collaboratively created, most notably their multidisciplinary dance/drama “Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman.”

Austin welcomed the first Texas performances of “Sister Moses” to sold-out crowds at the State Theater and Shoreline Christian Center in February of 2000. The City of Austin Cultural Contracts program, a major supporter at that time, provided funding in 2009 and support is recommended for 2010 along with The Austin Area Heritage Council, ProArts AAATRC, Soulciti.com, and Shoreline Christian Center.

“Sister Moses” was originally designed to provide opportunities to cast extra performers from the various communities where it was being performed alongside Desert Dance Theatre professionals. Texas performances are unique in that the majority of the main dance roles will be performed by an Austin cast of dancers, creating the opportunity to plant “Sister Moses” as an annual event in Austin and throughout Texas!