'Devising' is building a theatrical production through a process where a creative team develops a show collaboratively with each contribution serving the narrative/story/plot as a whole. Devised theatre makers often begin their process without a script, involving some or all members of the production staff to create the text through improvisatory collaborations.
Starting in Fall 2023, I will serve as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)
Region IV 'Devised Theatre Initiative Coordinator.'
Please view this digital portfolio of my 'devised' applied theatre projects and contributions.
UNTITLED AGAHOZO-SHALOM YOUTH VILLAGE PROJECT (FORTHCOMING)
Co-Director, Lead Deviser
International-based devised theatre initiative/project in Rwanda, Africa with Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village and the In[HEIR]itance Project.
A new devised project in development. See More Info
SILHOUETTES: CUT TO BLACK - THE KARA WALKER PROJECT
Director, Project Concept
Community Engagement Project with Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Virginia African American Cultural Center.
Ensemble-based devised theatre work culminating in a moving performance demonstrating some of the ways Walker's work resonates today in our region of Coastal Virginia. See More Info
TAG! YOU’RE IT!
Director, Playwright, Project Concept
ODURep Theatre/Old Dominion University
From Aug. 2022 to Oct. 2022, this commissioned devised theatre piece was built as an interactive, ensemble-based play utilizing the Boalian technique of Image Theatre. In a 4-week rehearsal process, our ensemble cast will create and devise original text/literature (poetry/rap, choreography, etc.) that explores issues of individualism, unmasking/unveiling of freedom, creative self-expression through performance, exploration, resistance, and protest. The collective ensemble will culminate in creating a living “mural” that will live on in the minds of audience members long afterward. See More Info
THE IN[HEIR]ITANCE PROJECT: EXODUS COASTAL VIRGINIA
Asst. Director, Creative Content for Devised Theater, In-field Research Contributor
Community Engagement Project with (not limited to) Virginia Arts Festival, Zeiders American Dream Theater, Teens with a Purpose, and WHRO
From Sept. 2021 to May 2022, this community-engaged devised project is an examination of the history and lived experiences of the people of Hampton Roads in relationship to the themes and narrative of the book of Exodus. The final play will premiere at the Virginia Arts Festival in May 2022 at the Attucks Theater. See More Info
THE CULTURAL LEGACY OF THE ATTUCKS, A Creative Exploration and Workshop
Project Co-Lead, Creative Content Development Lead
Community Engagement Exploration with In[HEIR]itance Project & YWCA South Hampton Roads
For Black History Month 2022, a creative exploration centered on the history of the Attucks Theatre and exploring how creativity and cultural legacy impacts health and wellness.
WHOLE HUMAN/ I AM BEAUTIFUL: ‘Ur Roots Amplified’ extended project (In Progress)
Creative Content Development Lead
Community Engagement Project with Dept. of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University, Teens with a Purpose
Summer-based creative applied theatre performative project; performance locations: project incorporated visual art, spoken word poetry, cultural dance, and audio recordings of 3 primary subjects highlighting the ‘whole human’ and their journey through life in Tidewater Gardens. More Info Coming Soon
THE HIDDEN HISTORY: THE BANJO, A Celebration of Juneteenth
Director, Project Lead, Project Consultant, Creative Content Development Lead
Creative performative project in script development and performance creation partnering with Zeiders American Dream Theater, City of VA Beach Cultural Affairs, VB GIGS, Teens with a Purpose, and Tidewater African Cultural Alliance. See More Info
INTERSECTIONS OF RACE AND GENDER JUSTICE: A Performative Discourse
Project Consultant, Creative Content Development Lead
Contributed Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed methodology of ‘Image Theatre’ and Cornerstone Theater Company’s ‘community-based collaboration technique’ for an interactive theatrical exploration of space, time, and body in response to attacks on the Capital in January 2021.
Consulted with the Dept. of Women’s and Gender Studies at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech Women’s Center.
SYMPTOMATIC: IRL
Director, Playwright, Project Concept
ODURep Theatre/Old Dominion University
From Sept. 2020 to Nov. 2020, this devised theatre piece centered on embodying the psychological dilemma and chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic and national regulations. This show intends to amplify the complex narrative that embraces the absurd contradictions of the COVID-19 and its diagnoses/treatments and its adverse effects on our social lives and livelihoods. See more info
THE RACE 2020
Creative Content Contributor
Contributed Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed methodology of ‘Image Theatre’ creative content for an interactive live-streamed theatre performance that combines spectacle and collaborative conversation to investigate the state of our democracy; consulted with the Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts and The Civility Project.
2020 ODU SUMMER ARTS SERIES: RESILIENT STILLNESS— A Project about Stillness and Togetherness
Project Lead, Creative Content Development Lead
Virtual Performative Community Engagement Project/Workshop
Documented in the creation of an archivable video montage, Resilient Stillness blends together each participant’s physical embodiment of embracing the theme of “stillness” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Led and provided a collaborative tool devised from Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed technique ‘Image Theatre’ in which still images are used to explore abstract concepts, such as relationships and emotions, as well as realistic situations. More Info Coming Soon
ADVENTUROUS TEEN SUMMER EXPERIENCE: ‘Ur Roots Amplified’
Project Lead, Creative Content Development Lead
Community Engagement Project with Dept. of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University, Teens with a Purpose, and Open Norfolk
Summer-based creative applied theatre performative project; performance locations: Open Norfolk’s The Safe Creative Community Space (SCCS) and Garden, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, St. Paul’s Quadrant Neighborhood (Various outdoor locations)
AMPLIFIED: THE ST. PAUL’S PROJECT (In Progress)
Project Co-Lead, Creative Content Development Lead
Community Engagement Project with Dept. of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University, Teens with a Purpose, and New Virginia Majority
Amplified is an original devised theatre project exploring issues and perspectives of children of St. Paul’s Quadrant and the consequential effects of the redevelopment process. These stories will be woven together into an original performance piece that creates a dramatic dialogue using movement, text, music, and projections.
ECHOES: TRANSCENDING THROUGH STORY
Director, Playwright, Project Concept
ODURep Theatre/Old Dominion University
From Jan. 2020- Mar. 2020, this devised theatre piece centered on deliberately targeted the generational echoes of caution and criticism that ring in every woman's ears: that "mother within" whose cautions and criticism benefit only their oppressors. See more info
The performance had community outreach elements including a panel discussion titled ‘Young Women Talking Change the World: Telling Stories to ignite Social Change.
LIVING BEYOND SOUTHERN LIVING: PERSONAL NARRATIVES FROM SOUTHERN WOMEN
Project Consultant, Dept. of Women’s and Gender Studies at Virginia Tech
A year-long creative project in development from the VT Feminist Theory grad seminar, writing creative non-fiction essay about their relationship to social justice causes and/or feminism to be read/performed at the yearly Women’s and Gender Studies student showcase.
THREE HYSTERICAL WOMEN: EXPLORATIONS OF FEMININE RAGE
Co-Collaborator
An original theatrical production that embodies creative resistance against oppressive stereotypes and violence. By curating three original solo pieces into one production, we explored issues of inclusion and social disparity, including imposed gender roles and racial stereotypes. The work is relevant to our students and campus communities with a cathartic response to the #MeToo And TimesUp Movement.
More Info Coming Soon
VIRGINIA TECH HISTORY PROJECT, VOICES IN THE STONE
Co-Collaborator with Dept. of Theatre and Cinema, Dept. of English, Dept. of History
Long-term creative project in anticipation of the university's 150th anniversary in 2022; site-specific dance/theatre piece focused specifically on the narratives of the first Black women to attend Virginia Tech in 1966.
Article from The Roanoke Times about VT History Project: https://www.roanoke.com/news/education/higher_education/virginia_tech/virginia-tech-council-telling-university-s-complex-history/article_2676c54f-41b3-5715-b787-d110f3ccf272.html
BLACK LOVE EXHIBIT, SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF 'BEING B.A.D.'
Co-Collaborator with Virginia Tech Women’s Center
Performative, audience-immersive projects comprised of pairing with the Perspective Student Gallery, Virginia Tech Women’s Center, and Dept. of Theatre exploring the depths of embodying redemption through theatrical performance.
DEVISING PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP, 'SPEAKING UP'
Project Lead
Laboratory workshop involving the collection of interviews, transcribing and creation of an oral history performance piece.
ADVANCING THE HUMAN CONDITION SYMPOSIUM
Project Lead
Engaging scholars, academics, and practitioners in transdisciplinary inquiry around the critical questions of our age, with equity premised as the driving force of our deliberations. Collaborated with Dr. Madeleine Flint, Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering and Materials and Virginia tech students to develop a piece on structural sustainability and human involvement.
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES PROGRAM
Project Lead and Co-Collaborator
Service learning focused project, Community-based theatre, also known as theatre for social change, used Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques and study the hallmark troupes and artists of the field. Co-taught service-learning component, students led workshops at Coile Middle School (Athens, GA), the Parkview Community Center (Athens, GA), and other site
TRANSLATING IDENTITIES, QUEERING BORDERS
Co-Collaborator
Original devised theatre project utilizing collected personal narratives to explore the particular issues facing LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff at UGA and in the Athens community.
DEVISING PERFORMANCE, FALL 2016, 2017, & 2018, 'SPEAKING UP'
Project Lead
Laboratory course involving the collection of interviews, transcribing and creation of an oral history performance piece.
SOLO PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
Project Lead
Interactive course traces and examines a selective history and development of Contemporary Solo Performance within the 20th and 21st Century; invites students of all levels to explore creating and performing original theatre works.
BEAUTY UNCHAINED
Project Lead
Director of Final Class Performance: "Beauty Unchained”- Our main preface for the project was to embody the essence of Black Theater. See More Info
EXPLORATORY IN MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE, 'SEE ME MOVE'
Specialization in Hip-Hop, Modern, and Jazz technique and performative narrative work.
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I utilize the practices and criterion set forth by governing tenure and promotion guidelines of the Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). ATHE serves as a strong advocate for maintaining that system through the establishing and sustaining of tenure-track and tenured positions for faculty in the field of theatre and performance studies.