Lucile Frak Graciano's FRAKING TRIP to Play the Elektra Theater

Fraking Trip is a brand new performance written, directed and choreographed by Lucile Frak Graciano, the 2017 winner of NY's Got Talent. The multimedia dance performance will be performed over four nights at the Elektra Theater (June 28, July 5th, 11th and 12th).

After winning the contest, the artist was given one month to produce the evening length show, which she did without outside funding and with the help of her cast, which is a loose collective of artist and performer friends based in New York City. The performance combines live DJ and musicians with hip hop dance, experimental movement and physical theatre.

Fraking Trip tells the story of a young woman with an active imagination setting off into the world on a journey of discovery and understanding. It a show made for everyone and combines dancing with live music and DJ performances.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOW FROM LUCILE FRAK GRACIANO:

My goal has always been to travel and learn. I want to understand other people and find the beauty in our differences, and the ways that we can all work together.

The Brexit, the Trump election, the rise of the National Front in France, the horrific rise to power of ISIS: I have been shocked and saddened to witness the rise of hate and fear. It is sad to see people in power use these emotions to benefit themselves rather than working heal a crisis.

After traveling to places such as Russia, Lebanon, Israel, Morocco, Norway; being raised in France and living in the US for 10 years, I have been inspired and sometimes appalled, by the people I have met and the artwork I have been able to create with them. The cast of Fraking Trip comes from everywhere, and instead of dividing us, our differences are our greatest strength.

Wherever I have traveled, as different and foreign as it was, I have ALWAYS left these places with hope and a heart overflowed with gratitude. I have been able to connect, teach, learn and grow. Maybe these interactions only make a small difference, but I hope they have a ripple effect. No matter where people live I can assure you everyone want the same things : Love, stability and health.

And that's what Fraking Trip is about.

On the first track of the show, I have gathered samples of people saying "I love you, I hate you " from 30 different countries. All from people I have connected with throughout my years of traveling and dancing, from family and loved ones.

It was quite unbelievable how similar they can sound. Throughout the piece I tried to portrait the importance of self love. Self love as in loving and respecting the human that you are, to then be able to respect other humans based on that same basic criteria : Humanity.

I wanted this show to be raw, accessible and genuine. Someone told me "the problem with your show is that it's too political'. I don't think I could have been fully honest if it wasn't. I wanted to educate, inspire or at least make people ask questions. All through art, visuals, music, and dance.

Lucile Frak Graciano started as a Rhythmic Gymnast age 7, started breakdancing at 12 and then continued her training with Vendetta Mathea in Aurillac at La Manufacture. She quickly established herself in France's street scene, learning from her mentor and heart-brother Nassir Mokhtari. In 2007 she moves to NYC to pursue her dance career. Since, she was France's representative at Nike's "Dance to L.A." in Amsterdam, toured internationally with the Hip-Hop Nutcracker feat. Hip hop legend Kurtis blow, and has been featured in music videos with Jay-Z, New Politics and Def Jam artist August Alsina. She competed in Fake Off season 2 (TruTV), choreographed for Escort, and was featured in French Director Maïwenn's movie, rewarded at the Cannes Festival, My King ( Mon Roi ).

Director's statement:

"I am so grateful to be an artist. Art gets to touch everybody, from any background, as long as it is seen. I feel as if artists have a responsibility, a mission, to spread messages. We were given a gift, a tool. If education is failing us let's educate through art. Let's make people go on a journey with us, put stars in their eyes and raise questions in their mind.

Getting a platform for my voice to be louder was the only motivation behind winning NYs Got Talent.

I couldn't be more grateful for all the friends and talented humans who supported Fraking Trip and allowed me to make it come true on such short notice."

Tickets are available at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/973833 or on the Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1375738155848675. For more about ucile Frak Graciano, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LucileFrakGracianoArtist and Instagram @_frakattack.