NETneXt Initiative - Ongoing - Network of Ensemble Theaters - Bridge Ensemble Member
Throughout this time of cultural reimagining, mostly spent physically apart, the NET staff and Board, in consultation with folx across the membership, have been deep in conversation about the organization’s—and the field’s—future.
In Fall 2022, with multi-year, leadership support from the Mellon Foundation, NET began the first phase of an eighteen-month process of organizational re-envisioning to better serve a changing field. This visioning process will turn the transformational practices of ensemble creation on NET itself, in order to co-create the organization’s future in collaboration with its national membership.
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Spiritual Experience - 2023 - Perfect Day - Performer
an intimate performance experience
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Other Orbits - 2021-2023 -Applied Mechanics - Performer/Creator
Other Orbits is a multi-modal serial performance piece running from 2021-2023 with episodes in many different formats, from a radio station to a tabletop role-playing game to a comic book, all telling an epic story of ecological reckoning and cultural survival that will culminate in a live performance in the Spring of 2023.
Sweet Melodies & Salty Air - 2023 - Swarthmore College - Director
In this spiritual, sensual, and powerfully personal solo performance, Marie Inniss ’23 seeks to form a bond with her ancestors. This cabaret night is Marie’s honors thesis in both acting and Black Studies, and to prepare for it, she researched her family history and interviewed family members about those who came before. Through storytelling, humor, and songs ranging from musical theater to calypso and pop, Marie will bring us to a sunset on the Virgin Islands, introduce us to the tastes and smells of her childhood, and explore ideas about Black womanhood, deep roots, and taking up space.
Medicine Meditation - Ongoing - Lead artist -
Medicine meditation. 1 of 4. Enjoy this aural soundscape designed by we Severin Blake and Marina Murayama. This contribution came from my deep need for healing justice and more visibility of Black BIPOC voices in the world. We felt called to be engaged with our emotions and bodies as we grow beyond the outdated limitations of the manifest destiny and into a space that allows the earth and all its creatures are free. For now, get comfy, grab some headphones, touch softness and don't forget to breathe. Would like to honor a and uplift the works and wisdom that inform and inspire this piece: the Dagara Medicine Wheel, The Moon in Hand, The Four Fold Way, Other Orbits, Undrowned.- for the Ancestors
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V- ongoing -an immersive interdisciplinary reimagining of the classically white male epic trope, the myth of the Minotaur. It is loosely autobiographical, shaped around the transformation of creator/performer Anita Holland aka Severin Blake. V is the story of a life still being lived, engaging the senses and intellect through movement and language. The core of the piece is multiplicity -- the disinterest in telling one narrative, in order to embrace and many versions of a complex identity and story. Previous iterative showings:
V.i The Rotunda Labyrinth embodied narrative traversal solo
V.ii SuperObject: 004 Bodies - Labyrinth traversal w/ VO and + 7participants
(featured above at First Unitarian Church, Video by Tyler Burdenski)
V.iii Painted Bride Art Center - Exhibit Labyrinth traversal VO+ 2participants
V.iv Fringe Arts' Scratch Night - Guided meditation with an audience of bodies and light scape
V.v SubCircle’s Dollop - Labyrinth embodied narrative traversal + 1 participants
V.vi COMING SOON!
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Off the Wall - May 7-8 & 14-15, 2021 - Painted Bride Art Center - Artist
Seeking to create gallery spaces that center human connection and radical joy, Painted Bride’s Off the Wall exhibition will create “extroverted” environments that are designed to encourage conversation between strangers, artists, and people who’ve traditionally been excluded from galleries.
Impact.Engineered - 2021 - ASME Foundation - Virtual - Performer
Impact.Engineered will showcase illustrious speakers and an inside look at what’s trending in the world of Engineering for Good. Celebrate the champions who are disrupting the status quo and witness electrifying performances
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Care Package- 2021 - Obvious Agency - Game Maker - Community Supported Art (CSA)
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Build Forward - 2021 - FoolsFURY - Curator - Facilitator
Build Forward is a two-day event featuring interactive townhalls, Art Shares with Microturgs, and discussions designed for artists, activists, culture workers, educators, theater professionals, and anyone interested in building effective, long-lasting systemic change.
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Come 2 PAPA - 2021- Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists - Performer - Facilitator
A convening to celebrate the ingenuity and necessity of our Pan-Asian performing arts community with our virtual festival COME TO PAPA. With live and pre-recorded performances, workshops, community meals, pitch sessions, showcases, and more, we’re creating space for artists of Pan-Asian descent, audiences, administrators, and presenters alike to forge relationships and COME TO PAPA.
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BlackBestFriend - June 19, 2021 - BlackBestFriend - Performer
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Yesterday's Garbage 2019 & 2021 - Annie Wilson - late night cabaret meets late night where your art garbage is our delight.
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Deprogramming Alienation - Workshop - Facilitator
A shared brave space of amplified thoughtfulness and reflection. This journey includes somatics, critical analysis and objective observation. Presentation at Come to PAPA and Temple University.
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Trail Off - 2020- SwimPony- Voice Actor
A transmedial walking performance created by Swim Pony in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC
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The Bandits - Band - Vocals
The Bandits is a polyvocal project. The Bandits believe in radical love, transparency and accountability — with radical compassion, moving towards transformation of our world and ourselves
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Instructions - 2019 - Annie Wilson - Dancer
Alien bodies navigating space together, a dance.
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Homeworld For Babies - 2019 - Ninth Planet - Performer
A performance installation for babies and their caregivers. Homeworld is a drop of water on the moon.
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DGJam - 2019 - Directors' Gathering - Director
Since 2014, (DG) has been committed to gathering with and for regional theatre directors through building director-centric community and opportunity. We have celebrated 30 early-career directors. These directors are the essential catalysts of countless productions, companies, collaborations, projects, and movements. These directors are arts and culture creators, leaders, educators, and change-makers. These directors are the present and future of theatre.
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This is on Record - 2018 - Applied Mechanics - Performer/Creator
In a world of fake news and fractious political journalism, Applied Mechanics examines how stories are told, and who gets to craft the narratives delivered to the public.
The Quiet Circus - 2017 - Headlong Dance Theatre - Lead Participant
The Quiet Circus is a 15-month long performance residency at the Washington Avenue Pier, created by Headlong. Audiences and participants alike are invited to engage in a single, ongoing arc of events along Philadelphia’s Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers.
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The End - 2017 - Swim Pony - Guide
A new form of storytelling guides participants on an individual journey to confront mortality and celebrate life.
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War of the Worlds - 2017 - Swim Pony - Performer
interactive game/theater performance and community engagement.
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Souls of Black Folk 3: The Sisters Are Alright - 2017 - Painted Bride Art Center - Artist
A theatrical journey through black womanhood and the black woman’s mind and mental health, tackling the stereotypes of Jezebel, Sapphire, and Mammy.
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We Are Bandits - 2014 - Applied Mechanics - Performer/Creator
A raucous call to arms, a celebratory punk prayer, a wild adventure fueled by the radical spirit.
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Testimonials
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Severin's experience as a deviser and ensemble member combined with decolonizing community skills with an eye towards inclusion allowed the art share artists to feel held authentically and share deeply in cohort. Severin co-hosted in the live platform with ease and grace.
- Deborah Eliezer Artistic Director FoolsFURY
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It was splendidly self-nurturing, gently "nudging" everyone to a quiet place of amplified thoughtfulness and self-reflection--what a gift to participate. My only regret is not having more time to spend with you!
- Rhonda Moore Adjunct Teaching Faculty - Boyer College of Music & Dance
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