Lab Artists Presentations

Six dancemakers standing side-by-side, smiling. They are wearing black with various pops of vibrant color or pattern.

05

July
Artists share new works and experiences developed as part of Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s Lab Artists Program.
An arm creating a kolam geometrical line drawing made of powder on the floor.
APRIL 2023
Kinnari Vora
Antarabhava

Kinnari Vora / Ishti Collective’s new work Antarabhava explores humanity’s impermanence, portraying ways that society can accept death to live presently while highlighting different cultural practices of grieving and healing. Loosely based on the Tibetan Bardo philosophy, Antarabhava (translated to “the phase in between) will be an interactive experience, including Ishti’s Indian contemporary dance work, communal healing rituals, and sensorial aspects of food, scent and live music all intended to help people explore different ways to live and grieve.

Performance information to be announced.
A dancemakers in ruffled orange maxi skirt and faux leather top stand profile, turning her head to the camera.
JUNE 10, 2023
Kia S. Smith
Memoirs of Jazz In The Alley

South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT) will make their Auditorium Theatre debut on June 10, 2023 as the finale of the Made in Chicago series. The company will present the world premiere of Kia S. Smith’s Lab Artist project, Memoirs of Jazz In The Alley, a celebration of Chicago’s jazz history and the legacy of renowned saxophonist Jimmy Ellis.

In Person: Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Auditorium Theatre
A dancemaker in a bodysuit with blue, white, and pink polka dots poses with his hands near his face.
AVAILABLE NOW
Fabulous Freddie Prodigy
The Chronicles of Fabulous Freddie Prodigy

Fabulous Freddie Prodigy presented a living document performance, “The Chronicles of Fabulous Freddie Prodigy – Coming Out & Coming Together: A Home Warming Party Performance” in October. The event was held at and sponsored by 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. “Coming Out & Coming Together: A Home Warming Party Performance” invites you to experience his embodied home-made-whole as he takes the audience into an autobiographical journey chronicling his life as a young Black Gay man coming into self-claimed greatness through his three super hero variant identities. This multi-practice and multi-media performance enlists dance, video projection, sonic soundscape narratives, and wearable art to weave a story of healing, heroism and humor into a fabulous epic tale of alchemizing surviving into thriving and shining.

An album of original tracks from the project is available for purchase, streaming, and download on Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and similar platforms. Search for “Vibe Variants.”
A tap dancer in an off-the-shoulder green and blue outfit, hoop earrings, and black hair gathered high on her head leans forward gazing toward the camera.
AUGUST 25, 2022
Star Dixon
Freedom Grooves Cypher

2022 Lab Artist and 2022 Dancemaker-In-Residence at Rebuild Foundation, Star Dixon presents the Freedom Grooves Cypher. This open jam is welcome to all with a special invitation to Chicago’s Tap Dancers, Drummers, African Dancers, & Afro Beat Lovers. Sounds by @mikeabrantie Special performance by Star and @foreign_yems. FREE EVENT.

In Person: Thursday, August 25, 5-9pm, Retreat At Currency Exchange (305 E Garfield)
Closeup of a performer smoking a cigar.
OCTOBER 1-2, 2022
Marcela E Torres
Fire Drilling

Marcela E Torres will be premiering their Lab Year project “Iyapokatzin; the venerable tobacco smoke” at Pilsen’s El Paseo Community Garden (944 W. 21st) on Saturday, October 1 at 7PM and Little Village’s Malinalli Garden (S. Ridgeway Ave. & 28th St) on Sunday, October 2 at 7PM. This choreographic work honors the history of tobacco from a Mexican perspective through Torres’ years of research and devotion to tobacco as a deity. Iyapokatzin is a Nahuatl (Uto-Aztecan language) word and its English translation “venerable tobacco smoke” highlight the intentions of this ritual. This production with collaborator Izayo Mazehualli combines performance with sculpture, taking place at the sites of Torres’ outdoor adobe monument  Xochiotia, and features live music by Chicago DJ LA Spacer.

In Person: Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 7 PM El Paseo Community Garden (944 W. 21st St., Chicago, IL)

Header Image: Chicago Dancemakers Forum 2022 Lab Artists (Star Dixon, Diamond Hardiman, Marcela E Torres, Kia S. Smith, Fabulous Freddie Prodigy, and Kinnari Vora), Photo by Matt Marion.