Performance Art | Kansas City Artist Directory

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Mariel Reynolds

Dance; Multi-Disciplinary; Performance Art; Theatre; Visual

Mariel Reynolds is a highly regarded performer & creator with decades of experience as an aerialist, with an old circus upbringing and a modern cirque education, and as a classically trained musician. As a soloist, she has performed worldwide with notable highlights at Teatro ZinZanni and in a Super Bowl commercial with the cast of Glee. She specializes in combining elements of multiple disciplines- visual, acrobatic and musical- to create a viscerally multidimensional experience. Specialties: Costume design, Art Direction, Musical Direction, Writing and development, Film and live event production, Performance

Stephanie Roberts

Community-Based Art; Multi-Disciplinary; Performance Art; Theatre

Stephanie Roberts is Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she teaches Mask, Commedia dell'Arte, Clown and Epic Storytelling. Originally from Seattle, she has been acting, teaching, directing and creating theatre for over 20 years. She has toured nationally and abroad with companies such as Annex Theatre, Tears of Joy, Living Voices and Seattle Mime Theatre. She has also taught and directed devised work for the Seattle Repertory Theatre as well as Cornish College of the Arts. Ensemble-generated works include Meanwhile, Slammed! Eat This! and Immeasurable Heaven, (UMKC Theatre), The Best Story Never Told (Dell'Arte International and CalArts) and Boom! An International Lost and Found Family Marching Band (national tour). Choreography credits include the world-premiere of Dead on Her Feet at The North Wall in Oxford, and The Arcola Theatre in London. Stephanie was a Charlotte St. Foundation Studio Resident Artist as well as a 2010 recipient of the Charlotte St. Foundation Generative Performing Artist Award. She also received an Inspiration Award from ArtsKC with which she developed her one-woman play, The Mask of the Broken Heart. Most recently, Stephanie won a “Best of the Writer’s Place” award for her original piece, Write to Me, at the Kansas City Fringe Festival, was an artist-in-resident at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and appeared in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She holds a BFA in Acting from Cornish and an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre.

Alexej Savreux

Film; Literary; Performance Art; Visual

Alexej Savreux is a poet, satirist, artist, and journalist who cuts multimedia with a conceptual practice rooted in using epistemology as a medium for electronic, literary, and performing interventions. Alexej’s work blends polystylism, neopragmatism, and digital media with an academic and satirical bent. In his work, he pursues the internal modification of the human heart as his primary intellectual, artistic, and philosophical objective. He has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and written for various regional art publications. Alexej’s poetry and art can be purchased on his website, at international auction houses, at regional and national bookstores, through most online vendors, and interlibrary loans. Savreux is available for readings, media interviews, artist presentations/guest speaking engagements, collaborations, and regional, national, and abroad opportunities.

James "SugEasy" Singleton

Dance; Music; Performance Art; Visual

James “SugEasy” Singleton I am Hip Hop. I love this diverse culture, I live this movement, and I am an authentic advocate for the original missions of Hip Hop: peace, love, unity and having fun. Teaching the main creative elements of Hip Hop culture (Breaking, DJing, Emceeing/Beat Box, Graffiti Writing, and Street Knowledge) is a deep passion of mine as I believe these art forms enrich lives and help people discover their own expressive selves. Education Associate's Degree in Information Tech For Businesses, Brown Mackie College Recent Accolades Artist Inc Live Fellowship, presented by mid-america arts alliance--Fall 2018 Arts KC Inspiration Grant Recipient--February 2018 Artist Experience Choreographer/Performer Kansas City Heart Ball hosted by American Heart Association, February 2018 Choreographed Dance for ZTE Phone Annual Company Party in Shanghai, January 2018 Yanik Wedding First Dance Choreographed Routine, October 2017 “Fresh Pair” by Reach, Ft. Show Music Video Appearance, August 2017 Kansas City Heart Ball hosted by American Heart Association 2017 Dance USA, 2017 Kansas City Royals World Series Gala 2015 Cerner Masquerade Ball 2014 The Prodigal Daughter with Storling Dance Company 2013 Dance in the Park 2013 Project Dance 2012 America’s Best Dance Crew 2012 , Houston, Tx, CallBacks Legacy Christian Church -2011 & 2012 Christmas Show United Way – 2011 Commercial ESPN3 Bodybuilding Competition Competition 2011 MTV2 – Blonde Club in KC, video for “Lady Blake and Captain Nasty” Pomeroy (Alt Rock, Funk, Hip Hop Band)– Stage Performances for 11 years Kanrocksas Multi-Day Concert- Choreography and Performed Between Bands Mid West Model/Essence Tour – March 2010 Quake, Lebanon, MO, August 2008 Von Smith from American Idol, November 2009 Hip Hop Music Conference, Bartle Hall, KC, May 2009 Opened for DJ Magic Mike & Bad Boy Bill, Critical Mass Tour, Dec. 2008 Releve’ Competition Team, Lake of the Ozarks, MO – Placed Platinum and High Point Leigh’s School of Dance Competition Team, Olathe, KS – Elite Top First and Regional Category Cup The Culture House Dance Company, Olathe, KS Creative Dance and Movement Competition Team, Kansas City, MO – Platinum and Diamond Steps Competition Team, Osage Beach,MO – Platinum DeeJay and Emcee “My First Love” Daddy Daughter Dance at Crossroads Church, February 2018 New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at Lenexa Public Market, December 2017 No Trick Our Treat: Not Your Mummy’s Halloween House Party at Lenexa Public Market, October 2017 Lenexa Public Market Grand Opening, September 2017 Winter Party, Prom at Lutheran High School of Kansas City Winter Party, Father/Daughter Dance at Parkville High School Father/Daughter Dance at Rising Star Elementary Father/Daughter Dance at Legacy Christian Church Corporate Affiliates: Red Bull, Puma, The Nerdery Past Residencies: Lucky BrewGrille, The Foundry, Empire Room, Kabals, Danny’s North, Pour House, Mosaic Event Judge/Competitor Reign Royal Ball – Stepping Competition, 2016 The Hospital 4 2013, Oklahoma City--First Place City vs City 6 June 2010 Chicago, IL – Semi-Finalist There Kan Only Be One 2009 – 2nd Place Fresh Fest Competition, Omaha, NE – Title Winner in Breakdance, Beatbox, Popping Ore Negro Dance Battle KC – 2nd Place, 2009 Studio Teaching Experience (CURRENT) 360 Gym, Olathe KS Breakdance and Hip Hop Instructor Crescendo Dance Conservatory, Overland Park KS Hip Hop Dance Instructor, Choreographer Creative Dance & Movement, Shawnee KS Hip Hop Dance Instructor, Choreographer Deena Shroyer School of Dance, Leavenworth KS Hip Hop Dance Instructor, Choreographer (PREVIOUS) Mill Creek Activity Center, Shawnee KS The Culture House, Olathe KS Diamonds Dance and Gymnastics, Overland Park KS Christian Youth Theater, Overland Park KS Shooting for the Stars Smithville MO Miss Leigh's School of Dance Diamonds Dance Academy Kansas City Young Audience DanceWorks Shooting for the Stars Academy of Dance StarStruck Releve' (Osage Beach) Synergy LizDance School/Library Teaching Appearances Briarwood Elementary Rising Star Elementary Westwood View Elementary Spring Branch Elementary Pioneer Ridge Middle School Parks (Gordon) Elementary Midway Elementary Martin City K-8 School Grandview Middle School Crestview Elementary Center for Alternative Instructional Resources - C.A.I.R_x000B_ Clardy Elementary Chapel Hill Elementary Bridger Middle School Benton (Thomas Hart) Elementary Baptiste Educational Center Mid-Continent Public Library - Blue Springs North branch Mid-Continent Public Library - Raytown branch Mid-Continent Public Library - Riverside branch Community/Group Home Teaching Appearances Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City Garrison Community Center Wayne Miner Community Center Synergy Services - Youth Resiliency Center Synergy Services - Transitional Living Program Synergy House Spofford Home Passages Operation Breakthrough/St. Vincent Child Care Center Gillis Center-Boys Home Front Porch Alliance Hip Hop Camp/Workshop Organizing and Teaching Style Explosion Hip Hop Camp Olathe, KS 2011-Present: Breaking, DJing, Emceeing, Beat Boxing, Graffiti Writing Instructor, Choreographer Hip Hop Instruction/Choreography Workshops Kansas City Metro Area (MO and KS) 2001-Present, St. Louis MO 2017, New York City NY 2016, Minneapolis MN 2016, Los Angeles CA 2013 Dance Training I am proud and honored to have trained one-on-one over many decades with the following pioneers of Hip Hop Culture: Hip Hop: Emilio “Budda Stretch” Austin Jr. (one of the Electric Boogaloo’s founding members), Henry “Link” McMillan Breaking: Anthony “YNot” Denaro, Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon, Marc “Mr. Freeze” Lemberger, Kenneth “Ken Swift” Gabbert, Steffan “Mr. Wiggles” Clemente Popping: Timothy “Poppin’ Pete” Solomon, Sam “Boogaloo Sam” Solomon, Steven “SugaPop” Daniels-Silva, Steffan “Mr. Wiggles” Clemente Locking: Greg “Campbell Lock Jr.” Pope, Don “Campbell Lock” Campbell, Steven “SugaPop” Daniels-Silva, Jerry “Flo” Randolph House: Caleaf Sellers, Tony McGregory, Sekou Heru Recent Training Elite Force Crew Workshop with Buddha Stretch and Henry Link, Kansas City 2018 (Organizer, Student) Hip Hop, Plus history and knowledge Q&A session Mr. Wiggles Workshop, Kansas City 2017 (Organizer, Student) Popping, Breaking, Hip Hop, Plus history and knowledge Q&A session Street Style Lab, New York 2015. 2016, 2017 (Student) Hip-Hop, Popping, Breaking, Locking, House Poppin’ Pete Workshop, Kansas City 2017 (Organizer, Student) Popping YNot BBoy and TopRock Workshop, Kansas City 2017 (Organizer, Student) Breakin’, TopRock Budda Stretch Hip Hop Workshop, Kansas City 2016 (Organizer, Student) Hip Hop Electric Boogaloo Camp, Los Angeles 2016 (Student) Popping, Boogaloo

Stephonne Singleton

Multi-Disciplinary; Music; Performance Art; Theatre

STEPHONNE Rock and R&B collide with the sultry, silky and vocal grit of Stephonne, an artist who conjures up the spirits of Prince and Billie Holiday but that delivers something inimitable, visceral, strange and beautiful.

Samantha Slupski

Community-Based Art; Literary; Performance Art

Samantha Slupski is a poet and mental health advocate based right in the heart of the Midwest. She first stepped on stage in December 2015 at Uptown Arts Bar in Kansas City, Missouri, and stage has been her home ever since. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Poetic Underground, Slam Master of Kansas City Poetry Slam, co-director of Chameleon Arts, a board member for Fountainverse, the Kansas City Small Press Poetry Fest, an ARTS KC grant recipient, and was voted the 2nd best spoken word artist in The Pitch's Best of 2017. Samantha's first book of poetry was published in January 2017 by EMP Press in Kansas City, MO, has been published in various online journals such as Pressure Gauge Press, Blue Mountain Review, and Jazz Cigarette, and has been published on the Write About Now Youtube Channel. She has performed at Midwest Word Fest 2016, and has competed in Texas Grand Slam 2016 and 2017. She is known in her beloved city as the "Queen of Sad," due to her Sad Poetry™ but can most often be found smiling while drinking coffee or playing with other people's dogs.

Anson the Ornery

Literary; Multi-Disciplinary; Music; Performance Art; Theatre; Visual

Anson the Ornery’s artwork combines his artistic disciplines to create interactive installations that make the viewer a part of my creative process. These interactive artworks are a satirical comment that parodies controversial issues to give a more nuanced and alternative view. Anson constructs full sensory environments with his backgrounds in music, visual arts, writing and acting to immerse the viewer in his artwork strengthening the connection between the viewer and the content. To build these elaborate installations he uses the latest technology along with a wide variety of materials from flowers to social media to entice the viewer into engaging with the artwork. Anson’s artwork is a conversation not a lecture. It is not meant to be placed on a pedestal but instead sculpted by others’ hands resulting in surprising and unpredictable outcomes. Anson shares creative control with the viewer to develop a communal experience where the viewer is in direct contact with the subject matter breaking down defenses to new ideas leaving space for a change of thought. Anson also runs the art installation company DeOrnery Fine Art Services. DeOrnery (Dee-On-Ray) Fine Art Services provides installation for fine art in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Their wealth of experience in art installation comes with a knowledge of design and placement. DeOrnery Fine Art Services is available for any sized job from large corporate installs to that perfect painting you need hung over your couch. They specialize in all mediums and will help you find the best way to securely display your art.

Lauren Thompson

Community-Based Art; Dance; Multi-Disciplinary; Performance Art; Visual

'The more frequently we engaged with something the stronger our connection is to it. This seems obvious, but this connection is underutilized in dance. I develop works that encourage the audience to have a direct participation in the work, their presence is necessary and contributing to the existence of the work.' Lauren holds degrees in dance, psychology, and women and gender studies as well as an advanced degree in counseling and guidance. She also has training as a yoga and Pilates instructor and owns a Pilates studio in downtown Kansas City. Her work at her studio is where she combines her knowledge of working with the human body and mind to help her clients achieve animproved sense of health. In addition to her work with her clients, Lauren also uses her studio to work on her choreography. Her choreography often centers around the common human experience and healing movements she has been introduced to through her yoga and Pilates. Lauren has also utilizes her background in psychology to develop large scale, optical illusion installations in Kansas City. These installations include, Life Turning, a zoetrope installed on the Main St bridge, and Faces of KC, an installation utilizing lenticular design that highlighted the history of arts and culture in Kansas City.

KiYanna Uchawi

Community-Based Art; Multi-Disciplinary; Music; Performance Art; Theatre; DRAG/FEMALE IMPERSONATION

Te’ Minor also known as KiYanna Uchawi is a drag artist based out of Kansas City, MO. For the last 8 months KiYanna has realized the need for diverse entertainment and inclusion was missing in Kansas City. As the Show Director of Queen Priscillas, located off of the historic 39th Street in KCMO, KiYanna has successfully curated a space within the LGBTQ+ community that over 50 entertainers can call home. With a background in theater and competitive acting KiYanna focuses their performances on soul, and storytelling. A song is more than a song, a song is a message with a deeper meaning and KiYanna finds passion in expressing that vision. As an activist within the KCMO community, KiYanna protested during the Black Lives Matter movement during the Summer of 2020. KiYanna uses their voice to not only fight to disrupt injustice within systems of oppression but, they use their voice to empower and educate others around them. KiYanna is more than an entertainer, they’ve realized that through the art of Drag they’ve gained a platform to change the minds of many. KiYanna aspires to use their gift to continue to work with excluded groups to bring, joy, passion and entertainment that anyone can enjoy.

Julia Vering

Community-Based Art; Multi-Disciplinary; Music; Performance Art

I am a performance artist, musician, animator and hospice social worker. I balance my client-centered social work with the need to create intensely personal, introspective performances to share with the public. Through music, interactive projections, costumes, stop motion animations and narration, I draw the audience into an absurd, magical world. Collaborating mostly with marginalized members of society, my work is therapeutic in process, visually captivating and emotionally relatable. I explore mortality, loneliness, absurdity and empathy, monumentalizing the mundane and forgotten through multimedia performance. I conduct bi-monthly experimental video-based drama therapy with individuals with dementia for Jeanne’s Place Dementia Activity program. My solo multimedia performance work has continued to evolve, utilizing large-format interactive projections, 2 channel video, processed accordion, and collaborations with individuals with dementia as actors and dancers culminating in The Understudy, a piece funded by The Charlotte Street Foundation. I am continually compelled to make art, a ritual that gives my life meaning.

AY Young

Dance; Music; Performance Art

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, AY is a producer, writer, rapper, and singer/songwriter. AY got his musical start in 2012 on the X Factor TV show, receiving four Yes’ from celebrity judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Louis Walsh, and Demi Lovato. Performance AY independently performed 215+ Tour & college shows (2015-2016), 230+ in 2016-2017, and 175+ in 2017 including opening for SHAGGY, Aaron Carter, T-Pain, Timeflies, Flo-Rida, XV and more. AY’s first single “Say Hey” has nearly 40K views on Youtube, and his newly released “Creep Creep" has over 27K views. Ourstage Charts (MTV partner) -Reached 13th Best Urban Charts 2015 -Reached Top ten in Rap and Hip Hop 2015 -Reached Top in R&B March 2015 -Reached Top 10 Hip Hop December 2013 AY founded the "Battery Tour" The |TOUR| just released it's debut album "Above & Beyond" which is available everywhere digital music is sold. First Battery Tour release, "Above and Beyond" includes the single’s “Say Hey” & "Creep Creep." The Battery Tour is a grant recipient of the prestigious ArtsKC Inspiration Grant during the 2017-2018 Grant Cycle.

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