In What Language?
A Song Cycle of Lives In Transit

Composed by Vijay Iyer
Libretto by Michael Ladd

Directed by Rachel Dickstein

In What Language is a work of music and poetry created and performed by Vijay Iyer and Michael Ladd, leading a ten member ensemble of musicians and speaking voices. 

The work consists of a series of poetic interior monologues by people of color negotiating the hyper-globalized setting of an international airport.

Lighting and Projection design by Clifton Taylor
Performed by Ajay Naidu, Trevor Holder, Vijay Iyer, Dana Leong, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Ambrose Akinmusire, Allison Easter, Stephen Crump, Michael Ladd, and Liberty Ellman

Commissioned and produced by Asia Society, 2003. In What Language? was made possible with generous support from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and was a sponsored project of Creative Capital Foundation. Toured to PICA, REDCAT, and the Painted Bride 2004-2005.