The Process

Hey Process Fam!   Here we are volume3, episode 3. Y'all. today's episode is full of those good good vibes because my homie Nora Sharp is here.  Nora's work spans dance, storytelling, comedy, and film, sometimes through solo performance and sometimes through directed collaborations.  Personally, I like to say they are a movement comedian and truth teller.  I've been lucky enough to work with Nora on several projects on and off the stage and Nora is invested in Chicago dance.  I appreciate that they are not afraid of digging deep and doing the work to address whatever fuckery is happening.  I'm so excited to talk with them about their latest work The Real Dance: A Micro Reality TV Show.  If you haven't watched- pause this podcast right now, go to their website, watch and come back and listen to this episode. It's 20 minutes of pure dance and movement bliss.  Nora had lots of reasons to create this work but my favorite is “My excitement about forms of entertainment (such as reality TV) that can frame experimental or process-based work in a way that changes the tone, lowers the stakes, and expands the ways we're invited to get invested in the work.”  I told, Nora is not afraid to ask the hard questions and do the work to find out the hard answers.  Our co-host for this episode is my good Sis, Tia Greer.  Tia is one of the most realest and kindest humans that I know.  She is close Fam and I'm thankful for the Black dance connection that brought us together many years ago.  Tia moves and speaks from true honesty and always with true clarity.  It's beautiful to witness and also experience on stage with her.

Volume 3 episode 2. Welcome, welcome y'all.  Today's episode is with one of the legendary members of the The Era Footwork Crew,  Sterling Lofton aka ‘Steelo'.  Steelo is a 2020 CDF Lab Artist and has been developing “Sterling Publishing Company (SPC),” a new performance at the intersections of fashion and dance across Black history.  Like many other artists the pandemic has been challenging for Steelo's creative process.  We will also be chatting about The Era's performance of In the Wurkz at Links Hall in 2019.  The group says their Links Hall performance “represents their “community debut” of the group and the long developed project.  I was fortunate enough to see this performance and remember walking away thinking that The Era is here to educate and also get you hyped. They're going to deliver a message and be always true to themselves. They are the shit. Our Episode 2 co-host is Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas.  Mad Dog is also a footworker as well as an extremely motivated dancer, activist, and youth mentor.  Mad Dog is the Program Manager for Kuumba Lynx and teaches a footwork program at the juvenile temporary detention center as part of a social/emotional learning program. Mad Dog is also a 2020 CDF Lab Artist and is spending his lab year codifying his style of Chicago Footwork while developing new choreographies that tell the stories of how bodies react to certain traumas, including his own.  

Welcome back and happy Volume 3 Process Fam! We start our volume off with the multidisciplinary artist, Mitsu Salmon.  I first saw Mitsu perform at Links Hall back in 2017. The best way I can describe Mitsu's work is that it's patient.  Mitsu will make you listen.  There is both honesty and bravery in her movement.  My brain and my body were connected in a really beautiful and unique way as an audience member.   Mitsu makes you slow down and really digest the gift that she's giving you on stage.  Today, we'll be talking about her latest work Orchid: Dormancy and Becoming, which weaves together motifs of mythology, heritage, imperialism, botany, sexuality, racism, and more.  Mitsu performed this work publicly right in the middle of the pandemic at the Ragdale Foundation and in today's co-host, Sara Zalek's backyard in Humboldt Park.  I'm really looking forward to talking to them both about the process of making this live performance during the pandemic.  My co-host is  interdisciplinary artist Sara Zalek.  She's invested and curious about every piece and square inch of Chicago dance.  Their work is “Rooted in physical investigations of trauma, resilience, and transformation, their work is intimate, raw, poetic.”  Sara is also one of my favorite people to see in an audience during a performance.  They have this contagious joy when it comes to movement.  

HAPPY VOLUME 3! We are back in your ears and hearts with some good good process vibes that are perfect as we enter cozy season. We are digging deep and talking about family with Mitsu in episode 1. Steelo discusses the the many many complexities around identity and what that means to place that identity on stage. In episode 3, Nora talks about how friendship can be an anchor and catalyst for the creative process.

Episode 3 of Volume 2.  We did it again ya'll. Another Volume in your ears for you to enjoy and be inspired by the beauty of Chicago dance.  Every episode is special to me in their own way, but this one is extra special because it's the Black Lady Episode.  *clap clap* In the booth with me this week is Elysia Banks, Artistic Director of Banks Performance Project. A Southside Chicago native Elysia is here to show the greater Chicago dance community that dance lives past the Roosevelt red line and they (you know who you are)  better pay attention. Banks Performance Project “strives to create works that are honest, sincere, and authentic to real life experience . We inspire to give the audience an impactful experience and encourage both dancers and audience members to allow themselves to be truthful.”  Elysia and Banks Performance Project is here to keep it 100.  One thing that I know about Elysia is that she is going to make it happen no matter what.  Today we will be talking about how BPP pivoted during the PanDemi Moore and created several digital dance works and the process of that experience.  My co-host for this episode is my Sis, Felicia Holman.  Felicia is a founding member of Honey Pot Performance and there is no other way to describe her other than unapologetic and proud.  Her joy is contagious and her art makes everyone think deeper and walk away smarter.  Like Elysia she is a Chicago native and is here to keep it 100 with everyone who is ready to listen.  I just want to take an extra second and thank Elysia and Felicia for giving me so much Black Joy while recording this episode. Unless you are blessed and highly melanated you really won't understand the feeling of being around beautiful unapologetically Black folks.  Recording this episode was truly something special.   I love yall. 

Episode 2 of Volume 2.  Welcome back Process Fam.  I hope your ears and hearts are ready for this beautiful episode.  Today we are chatting with Chicago dancer Tuli Bera. Tuli is a “Bengali-American performer who is constantly in search of her most authentic and youthful self.  Through her artistic practice she is constantly exploring her cultural and social upbringing.”I met Tuli like most dancers do, in a dance class.  I couldn't stop watching her move and was pulled in by how even in a dance class I felt like I was watching a solo performance.  She stands out on the dance floor.  When you watch Tuli dance you can see the wide variety of dance forms that live inside her body and the power that each of them give her.  What I admire about Tuli is that she speaks her truth through movement and with her voice. You should follow Tuli on Instagram because she is asking Chicago dance some smart questions that need to be answered. Tuli dances with several companies where she is both a dancer and a dancemaker and I'm so excited to talk to her today about what it's like to contain those multitudes during the rehearsal process.  My co-host is a familiar voice and close friend of The Process, my co-producer Anjal Chande. Anjal is my right hand and left foot and I'm so thankful to have her on this episode.  I love Anjal because of how smart she is with her words and because of her creative talent on the dance floor.  She is a true badass in my book.   Here we go y'all.  

Volume 2!! I am so thrilled to be back in your ears ya'll and this Volume is something extra special because it's 100% femmes of color.  We are starting strong with Chicago dancer and dancemaker Hannah Santistevan.  I first saw Hannah performing with Chicago based dance company The Seldoms and was immediately drawn in by her stage presence and all around badassery.  I fell in love with Hannah's choreography after viewing several videos that she shared via Instagram.  Her movement made me feel grounded and I found myself always catching a vibe with her while watching.    Today we will be discussing her latest work The Brink.  Created with the support of Links Hall's Co-Mission, The Brink “ is a contemporary dance theater work containing reenactments of the highs and lows of modern civilization.”  When I watched it I couldn't help but think about where we currently were in the Pandemi Lavato.  I think it's a beautiful work that beautifully encapsulates feelings around this current time.  I sat with those thoughts for days.  The Brink makes you think deep ya'll.  My co-host today is Dee Alba.  If you are a part of Chicago dance and don't know Dee then you aren't paying attention.  I've been lucky enough to perform on stage with her and she is such a bad bitch.  Dee is 100% that bitch that you want on stage with you and also next to you at the afterparty.  You can find her dancing with The Seldoms, Loud Bodies Dance and Erin Kilmurray's the Function.  Lets go ya'll.  

This Volume is a special one because it is 100% Femmes of Color. So get excited because they all have very important and smart things to say! Volume 2 drops on July 23rd! 

Erin is one of the most talented creators in the city of Chicago.  I'm not biased in that belief she has been named one of the 50 people who really perform for Chicago.  She is a dance maker who is asking questions of herself, her dancers and of the audience. As someone who has danced in her work and has also watched, you cannot help but see the  “Concert dance, party culture, social dance culture, DIY art space culture, dance teams, music videos, contemp dance practices, burlesque practices….all braided together.”    Erins dances will make you literally scream with joy and lean in to learn more.  It's magical to witness.  Today we will sit down and talk about her latest work, the Function.  Created with the support from CDF Lab Artist Grant, Erin started off her lab year, right when the pandemic hit.  Creating anything during this time is tricky but my girl won't be defeated- she pressed forward and made plans and then made some plans off of those plans. She's getting the work done and I never had any doubts that she would.   I'm excited to sit down and dive into how she is approaching this process during this time.   By my side this week is my wife for life Sarah Gonsirowski.  I've known Sarah for an entire decade.  We've shared many car rides and dance floors.  Sarah, like me, has worked with Erin before and knows that process work is where the questions are asked and answered. I've had a few post performance drinks with Erin and Sarah and it's an absolute joy to watch them get lost in each other's eyes while talking shop.  

Breon has his own way of storytelling through movement that creates, connection and power. His movement is exciting for the eye and when you watch any dancer do his movement, you know they are having the time of their lives.   I can't quite remember when I met Breon, but I'm pretty sure it was on a dance floor.  To me Breon exemplifies the real artistic hustler life.  He dances, he acts, he does voice over work and ya'll….he even created Hauz of Arzell.  If you need a professional stylist, photo shoot director, event planner, and chef Breon is that person.  He just doesn't stop and I don't think he will be anytime soon.  

We sit down and talk to Jenn about her latest work Litany.  Litany is a 5 part dance film created by Jenn in collaboration with Jordan Phelps.  “Litany is an exorcism expelling antiquated notions of Blackness, queer identity, spirituality, grace, rage, and healing” Jenn premired each chapter over several months throughout 2020 and honestly, it was this healing event that got me though the year.  I'm excited to chat with Jenn about the creation of Litany, hear all about the deep connection between her and Audre Lorde and keep the kiki going.  My co-host this week is Jasmine Mendoza.  Jasmine works in a similar creative space as Jenn where she explores  “the roots and origin of her ancestors through time, environment, spiritual and ritualistic practices.”  Jasmine and Jenn have collaborated on several works together the latest being FORCE!, an opera in three acts by Anna Martine Whitehead.  

Every process has a beginning.  Before we get into the work we want you to get to know us a little more.  This intro episode is a conversation between Process host, Alyssa Gregory and Process co-producer Anjal Chande.  We are gonna tell you WHY this podcast is important, HOW this artistic journey began and what you can look forward to in Volume 1 of The Process.  

Be sure to like and follow so you don't miss any future episodes.  Follow us on Instagram @the.process.podcast for any news and updates.  Happy art making!