Octavia E. Butler reimagined through movement
In a world teetering between change and rebirth, d. Sabela grimes invites audiences into Parable of Portals — a visionary performance that bridges movement, sound and spirit. Inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s groundbreaking Parable Series, grimes translates Butler’s prophetic ideas about survival, community and transformation into a living, breathing experience on stage.
Part ritual and part performance, Parable of Portals is described as a creative constellation of sound-driven improvisation, poetic storytelling and embodied meditation. Channelling the resilience and adaptability at the heart of Butler’s writing, Parable of Portals envisions a world where faith and community give power to change.
“I think of Parable of Portals as a constellation because it is not a single piece — its a network of practices, ideas, and collaborators that keeps generating new forms,” says grimes. “Each iteration offers a fresh perspectives and translations of Butler’s work…allowing the audience to step into a living system rather than a fixed show. I hope they feel the sense of being inside something unfolding.”
Through fluid, improvisational movement and immersive soundscapes, the performers embody the spirit of Lauryn Olamina, Butler’s visionary heroine, and the teachings of Earthseed — embracing change as a divine force and forging a collective path forward.
Known for his genre-defying fusion of dance, music and narrative, d. Sabela grimes transforms the stage into a portal — one that invites us to reimagine humanness and belonging in times of uncertainty.