ABOUT THIS SHOW
Presented as a culmination of stories developed by the SQUAD, VOIR DIRE explores the presence and absence of choice from bodily autonomy byembracing unapologetic movement sequences in the Black majorette style while inviting collaborators to work through their own stylings of playful improvisation and deliberate commentary.
Featuring
Aaliyah Christina
Keyierra Collins
Dej
Giovanni Antonio
Samus Starbody
Naomi Baty
Kopano
Professor-Wrecks (DJ)
MEET THE COACH
Born in Ruston, Louisiana and raised across Louisiana, Maryland, and Texas, Aaliyah Christina creates and supports performance work as an administrator, curator, movement artist and writer. She makes dances and writes poetic stories about relationship/power dynamics, mental health and Blackness as a resident on the South side of Chicago. She works as the Artist Programs Manager and Associate Curator at Links Hall, co-organizes with Performance Response Journal (PRJ) and collaborates with community organizations and fellow artists across the city of Chicago. Since 2015, she has collaborated with Chicago artists like Keyierra Collins, Ysayë Alma, Darling Shear, Wisdom Baty, Ayako Kato and Dorian Sylvain to name a few. In 2021, Aaliyah received the 3Arts Make-A-Wave grant and as of 2023, she received the Illinois Arts Council Agency 2023 Artist Fellowship Finalist Award. In 2024, she was selected as a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist and a part of the Chicago Cultural Center Dance Studio Residency cohort. She created PRAISE MOTHER SQUAD to highlight the multifaceted possibilities of Black majorette dance and platform stories about mental health, reproductive rights and queer/chosen family dynamics.
Artist Links: @praisemother, linktr.ee/achristinamoves
Due to the high volume and wide breadth of work we present, we are often not able to proactively offer content advisories for individual performances. However, if you have specific concerns about stage effects (such as strobe lights or fog/haze) that might have a bearing on comfort or well-being, or if you would like to know more about the age appropriateness of the performance, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
Patron Code of Conduct
Welcome to Steppenwolf, one of the premiere ensemble theaters in America. By visiting us, you agree to adhere to the theatre’s Patron Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Protocols.