Dream Feed
Dream Feed is an intimate, surreal live concept album by The HawtPlates, a two-time Grammy Award-winning theatrical family band. Through improvised and composed vocal music, trip-like lullabies, bold imagery, and a dreamlike atmosphere, the performance explores shared dreams and the subconscious, touching on life, death, memory, lineage, and personal history.
The psychedelic musical-theater work was commissioned through HERE’s 2023 Artist Residency Program, with additional support from the Under the Radar Festival. The page describes it as having premiered at HERE Arts Center in January 2026 and as making its world premiere at the 2026 Under the Radar Festival. The experience has been described as warm, visceral, spiritual, funky, and difficult to categorize.
When: November 19–22, 2026.
Showtimes: Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 PM; Friday, November 20 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; and Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 PM.
Tickets: Price not available. The November 19 performance is sold out. The other performances are listed with ticket availability. Tickets may be purchased individually or through ArtsEmerson season packages and group sales; the page notes that season packages offer the best prices.
Run time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Ages: No age restriction is specified.
Content warning: The performance includes moments of bright or low lighting and haze.
Accessibility: Audio description and a touch tour are offered on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 PM.
Venue: Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre at the Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111.
Company: The HawtPlates, comprising drama desk-nominated composer and performer Justin Hicks, singer-songwriter Jade Hicks, and Tony-nominated actor and singer Kenita Miller-Hicks. The group creates vocal performances by deconstructing vernacular musical forms and rebuilding them through improvisation and composition, drawing on their lineage and personal histories.
Performers: Jade Hicks, Kenita Miller-Hicks, and Justin Hicks.
Creative team: Phillip Howze directs. Kent Barrett is the scenic designer, with Michelle Gabrielle as assistant scenic designer. Tuçe Yasak designed the lighting, and Sean Davis designed the sound. Sydneii Colter is production stage manager, with Nia Blizzard as assistant stage manager. Robin Margolis is audio engineer; Sky Sherer and Chikadibia Ebirim are audio technicians; and Cheyanne Williams is production manager. “Mustard Anthem” was written by Dawn Meredith Smith and arranged by The HawtPlates.
Background: The HawtPlates have collaborated with artists and organizations including Meshell Ndegeocello, Abigail DeVille, Kaneza Schaal, Hilton Als, Helga Davis, Steffani Jemison, Reggie “Regg Roc” Gray and The D.R.E.A.M. Ring, National Black Theater, Charlotte Brathwaite, The Public Theater, Performance Space New York, and Park Avenue Armory.
All dates: Nov 19 at 7:30 PM · Nov 20 at 8:00 PM · Nov 21 at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM · Nov 22 at 2:00 PM