LEWISTON — The 2014 Bates Dance Festival will present the internationally acclaimed Camille A. Brown & Dancers with an evening-length work exploring images of African American performers in the media.

Known for high theatricality, gutsy moves and virtuosic musicality, Brown and company return to Bates to perform “Mr. TOL E. RAncE,” their newest work, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, July 17 and 19, in Bates College’s Schaeffer Theatre, 329 College St.

Drawing on the legacy of blackface minstrelsy in America, “Mr. TOL E. RAncE” examines black performers in both past (“Amos and Andy,” “The Jeffersons”) and contemporary media (rappers, reality TV). With a live piano score by Scott Patterson supporting the fierce and funny dancing of Brown’s company, the piece is a culturally charged mix of images, associations and references.

Brown & Dancers hold a free Show & Tell lecture-demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, in Schaeffer, and offer question-and-answer sessions following the July 17 and 19 performances. Dance writer Debra Cash precedes the July 19 performance with an Inside Dance lecture at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.batesdancefestival.org/EventNotes/CamilleBrown14.html.

Tickets cost $25 for the general public, $18 for seniors and $12 for students. These may be purchased online, by phone at 207-786-6381 from 1-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, by mail or in person. Learn more: http://batesdancefestival.org/tickets.php.