About

From subtle interaction to bombastic theatrical expression, Private Places examines notions of order—how we order, categorize, groom, distinguish, and distort ourselves to achieve standards of presentation. Immediate and exquisite switches of physicality, direction, and formation create a dizzying interplay between the movement of one and the movement of the group.

For its premiere in the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival in 2012, Private Places was performed alongside a collection of programmed events, including a panel discussion called Privatizing and Publicizing Gender: An Intimate Dialogue into Private Places, in which panelists dialogue about gender and race identification, gender and race fluidity, status, appropriation, and self-discovery.  Also included among the events was an evening called We Just Gon’ Buck – assembled by Marcel Williams Foster in partnership with MANY organizations, in which J-Sette and Vogue performance met side-by-side at the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. The event incorporated live performance, lecture/discussion, workshops, and socialization.

Production History

2012 – Presented at Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. Pittsburgh.
2012 – Premiered at Philadelphia Live Arts Festival (now FringeArts). Live Arts Brewery. Philadelphia.

Project Credits

produced by idiosynCrazy productions
directed by Jumatatu Poe
dramaturgy by George Sanchez
choreographic consultants Jermone Donte Beacham and LaKendrick Davis
lighting design by Catherine Lee (Philadelphia premiere); Scott Nelson (Pittsburgh presentation)
scenic design by Evan Leigh (Philadelphia premiere)
garment design by Katie Coble
video and sound design by Steve Surgalski
graphic design by Cara Cox
rehearsal direction by Mina Estrada
rehearsal assistance by Griffin Dowdy
performance and movement design by Leanne Grieger, Gregory Holt, Shannon Murphy, Jumatatu Poe, Gabrielle Revlock, Samantha Speis, Zornitsa Stoyanova, Michele Tantoco
performance videography by Tayarisha Poe and Steven Surgalski

Press

“Dance Review: Private Places by idiosynCrazy productions.” Coal Hill Review. Adrienne Totino. 2012.

“What We Can Learn From Airline Stewardesses.” Broad Street Review. Jonathan M. Stein. 2012.

“Public Spaces, Personal Places.” thINKingDance. Kariamu Welsh. 2012.

Funding and Thank Yous

Private Places was developed with many minds and bodies contributing to the creation process. From the workshop phase of the work, we would like to give special thanks to choreographic consultant Jasmin Vardimon, performance collaborators Danielle Currica and Maya Johnson, and scenic designer Caleb Levengood

Private Places was produced by idiosynCrazy productions, and has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through Dance Advance. Private Places is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Private Places is supported in part by a New Edge residency at the Community Education Center, and a creative residency through the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. General operating support is provided, in part, by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund

Click here to see a copy of the program booklet, with design by Cara Cox and writing by Jumatatu Poe and Lela Aisha Jones.