Devised Theatre Work

THE RIVER OF LIFE/EL RÍO DE LA VIDA: WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN STORY/

TODOS TENEMOS NUESTRA PROPIA HISTORIA

Project Concept, Co-Research Contributor, Lead External Collaborator

A summer intensive participatory action research program, funded by the 4-VA Collaborative Research grant, will take place at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The program will focus on creating theater performances based on the experiences of newcomers (refugees) in the city. The participants will showcase their final performance in different spaces within the community to encourage public dialogue. The study aims to evaluate the impact of the theater-making process, performance, and ensuing dialogue on the confidence of newcomers, building a sense of community and belonging, and promoting active participation in advancing equity. More Coming Soon.

‘AMPLIFY THE POLL!’- INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS-BASED ACTIVISM EXPLORATION 

Project Concept, Director

As a part of the C4AA Faculty Fellowship, this interdisciplinary collaboration initiative with the ODU Theatre programs and the Center for Artistic Activism explores the methodology of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques for civil dialogue using performative activism in support of implementing creative, pro-voter nonpartisan campaigns on college campuses in Hampton Roads community at large and statewide.  More Coming Soon.

AMPLIFIED: THE ST. PAUL’S PROJECT (Ongoing)

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 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. 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

AHAZAZA: AGAHOZO-SHALOM YOUTH VILLAGE PROJECT

Co-Director, Lead Deviser

International-based devised theatre initiative/project in Rwanda, Africa with Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village and the In[HEIR]itance Project.

Ensemble-based devised theatre work collaborating with students and staff at ASYV to create a brand new piece of theater mirroring the values of ASYV by focusing on how art can be utilized for equity, confidence, and healing and will help participants hone their public speaking and storytelling skills and build confidence communicating in English. See More Info

ECLIPSE: FANTASTIC PLANET FESTIVAL 

Project Consultant, Creative Content Contributor 

10-minute devised theatre piece directed by Leila 'Stephanie' Earl.   

Contributed original narrative-based devised theatre method of the ‘umbrella’ method and framework for an immersive theatre performance that combines ‘sheet work’ (original technique) spectacle and collaborative conversation to investigate the state of our planet, examining the environmental impact of conservation (or lack thereof) and ways in which we can adapt or adjust day-to-day cultural and industrial activities to be more earth-friendly; consulted with the Old Dominion University Department of Communication and Theatre Arts and Rouge Productions.

OPERA FOR US: FALL PROGRAMMING SERIES

Creative Content Contributor  

Contributed narrative-based artist and performance technique to tell the stories of the community through opera music.; consulted with 'Opera for Us' organization directed by Denise Nicole Battle and local artists from the Hampton Roads community. 

AMPLIFIED: THE ST. PAUL’S PROJECT (Ongoing)

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 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. See More Info

TAG! YOU’RE IT! 

Director, 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 initiative centered on the history of the Attucks Theatre and exploring how creativity and cultural legacy impacts health and wellness. 

AMPLIFIED: THE ST. PAUL’S PROJECT (Ongoing)

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 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. See More Info

WHOLE HUMAN/ I AM BEAUTIFUL: ‘Ur Roots Amplified’ extended project

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; immersive theatrical exploration in a performance highlighted at three high-profile Norfolk locations: Hermitage Museum, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and Virginia Stage Company. This project incorporated visual art, spoken word poetry, cultural dance, and audio recordings of 3 primary subjects highlighting the ‘whole human’ and their journey of beauty and peace by living in Tidewater Gardens and the greater city of Norfolk.  See More Info

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.

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. 

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 (Ongoing)

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 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. See More Info

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. 

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.

VIRGINIA TECH HISTORY PROJECT, VOICES IN THE STONE

Project Consultant 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.

RESILIENT SUSTAINABILITY SIMPLIFIED: 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

ALWAYS KNEW: 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. Partnership with the UGA Latin American Caribbean Studies Institute (LACSI), Portuguese Flagship Program (PFP), UGA department of theatre and film studies, and the UGA LGBT Resource Center.

https://www.ugatheatre.com/news-updates/alwaysknew

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.