Our Spotlight sequence emerged out of the need for audiences and different artists to attach with dancers who they could not know–as a result of the artist is new to the realm, or from a unique technology or pocket of the dance scene. The Q&A format lets Seattle dance artists to introduce themselves in their very own phrases, or share the place they’re on this second in time.
Name and pronoun:
Akoiya Harris, she/her
When did you come to Seattle and why?
I’m initially from right here, my household migrated to the Central District from Louisiana within the 60s. But I left for varsity and returned after graduating as a result of I had gotten a job with Spectrum that began fall of 2019.
What’s your position in Seattle dance?
I really feel like I put on many hats, I suppose you possibly can say I’m an lively participant. I was an organization artist with Spectrum Dance Theater. Since then, I’ve been freelancing. I’ve gotten to work on some actually cool initiatives, each with Seattle based mostly and out of doors choreographers. I’ve additionally begun to create work of my very own and been in a position to present it in some nice areas across the metropolis. I educate as effectively, at Spectrum and PNB 12 months spherical, and Ailey Camp within the summers. I’ve additionally been working to archive Seattle Black Dance oral histories by way of a challenge with Wa Na Wari. I’ve even dabbled in some dance writing by way of Black Embodiments Studio.
What type of work is your favourite to make/do?
I’ve a way of necessity round doing issues that replicate and respect the tradition I come from. I need to be part of artwork making the place I’m given area to write down my script as a Black Queer Femme into the narrative. That doesn’t all the time imply being part of “Black projects” however to ensure that me to really feel comfy, the make-up of my identification needs to be thought-about by these on the entrance of the room.
As a maker, I’ve been excited by taking a look at methods during which the physique and voice reply to one another. I feel it’s due to my love for Ntozake Shange and her choreopoems. Luckily I’ve buddies who’re wonderful poets and have let me use outdated work of theirs in addition to written new items for initiatives I’ve accomplished.
Really, I like making work with buddies. It jogs my memory of being a child and choreographing to Destiny’s Child and Ciara with my cousins. It’s enjoyable setting work on buddies, having them set work on me, and creating issues collectively. I additionally like reaching out to my non-dancer buddies and seeing what comes out of that. Just an entire bunch of homies making artwork, tryna receives a commission.
Tell us about your subsequent efficiency.
This isn’t my subsequent efficiency, there’s a pair issues taking place earlier than, however I’m actually enthusiastic about A PRACTICE OF RETURN. It’s taking place with The Black Collectivity Project by way of Nia-Amina Minor’s Made In Seattle residency. She introduced myself, marco farroni, and David Rue on as collaborators and we’ve been working collectively for a little bit over a 12 months on constructing the challenge. We’ve been deep within the basements of UW’s library taking a look at archival supplies, conducting oral historical past interviews, experimenting with methods to choreograph the archive, reaching out to the neighborhood to collaborate. I’ve by no means been part of constructing a present from scratch and I’m so grateful to be studying the method with such a tremendous staff. I’m actually excited to have the ability to share it with everybody.
What do you convey to the rehearsal room?
I’m a virgo moon and I feel I absolutely embody that in processes. If it’s another person’s rehearsal, I’ll take some diligent notes and bear in mind what you mentioned you wished to get by way of on the high of the day.
Tell us about your favourite efficiency that you simply’ve seen in Seattle and why you liked it.
That’s onerous, there’s a lot nice work taking place right here. In June of 2021 I went to a piece in progress exhibiting at Base of Jade Solomon’s Keeper of Sadness. Tilly Evans-Krueger danced and the viewers was lots of acquainted faces within the Black dance neighborhood right here. The exhibiting got here throughout a time after I didn’t know what was subsequent and that made me nervous. While watching, I used to be reminded that if I can rely on something, it’s that the world goes to dump its heaviness on the backs of Black femmes. At occasions we lend one another our unhappiness in order that we are able to bear in mind learn how to get up. Carrying all of it on our personal will make us crumble. This ignited in me the need to show to neighborhood and begin creating work by way of the help it provided me.
What are some media that you simply love or which are influencing you proper now?
Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, Ntozake Shange’s for coloured women who’ve thought-about suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, Audre Lorde’s essay Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power are three works that I usually discover myself returning to for grounding functions. They make me really feel seen, held, and challenged.
Recommend three issues!
If you’re in Seattle, go spend a day supporting the Central District (Arte Noir, Communion, Wa Na Wari, Simply Soulful, Central Cafe, Cafe Avole, and so forth.) however possibly think about not shifting there…
Get a canine, nice for psychological well being. Get one from the pound for moral causes plus they’re cheaper there. If you possibly can’t decide to a canine, possibly a fish.
Talk to the elders in your life. Write down their tales, file their voices, remind them that they nonetheless matter.
If individuals wished to comply with you and your work, what’s the easiest way for them to do this?
Instagram! @a_koi_ya