FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Makeda Smith
UBW Marketing Manager 
msmith@urbanbushwomen.org
(718) 398-4537

URBAN BUSH WOMEN LAUNCHES NEW
Choreographic Center Initiative Producing Program (CCI 2.0)

Brooklyn, NY — March 29, 2022 — Urban Bush Women (UBW) will launch its new Choreographic Center Initiative Producing Program (CCI 2.0) in April 2022. This pilot program is designed to cultivate the next generation of Women+ of color producers through collaborative experience and hands-on opportunities, while at the same time continuing to support Women+ of color movement makers who have participated in the CCI in the past.

 

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“We need the stories that Black and Women+ of Color choreographers need to tell with, through, and because of our bodies. To tell these stories we need the critical infrastructures that producing support brings. I am so thankful for the funding and admin support to realize this dream. I want to be a part of changing the narrative of “making a way out of no way” (we know how to do that!) - Instead, let’s see what gets unleashed when we can pave a road of support and deepen the commitment to developing Black Women+ and People of Color into the field of producing. “The way” needs all of us!”

— Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Urban Bush Women Founder & Chief Visioning Partner

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Working with UBW Founding Artistic Director Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, CCI 2.0 Project Producer Lai-Lin Robinson and Producing Director Jonathan D. Secor selected four inaugural fellows Morgan Johnson, Pia Monique Murray, Stephanie Rolland, and Cheri Stokes. These four fellows receive hands-on experience working as Producers on four projects being created by CCI Alum. In addition, they will participate in 65 weeks of collaborative learning, receive a weekly stipend, and receive mentorship from Women+ of color Producers in the field; Sandy Garcia, Laura Greer, Linda Walton, Lisa Bryd.

CCI 2.0 Producing Fellows:
Audrey Elaine Hailes
Pia Monique Murray
Stephanie Rolland
Cheri Stokes

CCI 2.0 Producing Mentors:
Lisa Bryd
Sandy Garcia
Laura Greer
Linda Walton

CCI Alum Supported Artists/Projects:
Maria Bauman
Marguerite Hemmings
nia love
Chanon Judson
Kesha McKey
Mame Diarra (Samantha) Speis

An advisory committee of prominent women+ producers, women who have helped paved the way to make this program possible will serve as an advisory committee for this pilot program. The advisory committee consists of Linda Brumbach, Stephanie Hughley, Hanako Yamaguchi, Mikki Shepard.

CCI 2.0 Advisory Committee:
Linda Brumbach
Stephanie Hughley
Mikki Shepard
Hanako Yamaguchi

 

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"Once again, Jawole demonstrates her visionary leadership and commitment to the field of dance with the development of UBW CCI 2.0 - a comprehensive and thoughtful initiative that addresses inequities in the dance world. I am honored to be an advisory council member of this unique program that provides the necessary support to amplify the voices of women choreographers of color."

— Mikki Shepard
Producer & CCI 2.0 Advisory Committee Member

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Learn more about the Choreographic Center Initiative Producing Program (CCI 2.0)
For more information contact CCI 2.0 Project Producer, Lai-Lin Robinson at cci@urbanbushwomen.org

 

ABOUT URBAN BUSH WOMEN

Urban Bush Women (UBW) burst onto the dance scene in 1984, with bold, demanding and exciting works that brought under-told stories to life through the art and vision of its award-winning Founder, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. The Company weaves contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of the African Diaspora under the artistic direction of Chanon Judson and Samantha Speis.

Off the concert stage, UBW has developed an extensive community engagement program, BOLD (Builders, Organizers, and Leaders through Dance). UBW’s largest community engagement project is its Summer Leadership Institute (SLI). This 10-day intensive training program connects dance professionals with community-based artists/activists in a learning experience to leverage the arts as a vehicle for civic engagement. UBW launched the Choreographic Center Initiative (CCI) in January 2016. The CCI supports the development of women choreographers of color and other underheard voices.

Urban Bush Women would like to extend our thanks to our creative partners:

The Apollo Theater
CIPA (Creative Independent Producer's Alliance)
HowlRound Theatre Commons
Junebug Productions
Producer's Hub
The Theater Leadership Project
TPOC (Theater Producers of Color)
WOCA (Women of Color in the Arts)

Urban Bush Women’s Choreographic Center Initiative 2.0 pilot program is generously supported by Mellon Foundation.

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