PERFORMANCE RESIDENCY

Re-Writing the Declaration

Chicago native Quenna Lené Barrett is a dynamic theater artist, director, performer, and educator. Rooted in Black radical wisdom, her work amplifies marginalized voices, fostering collective dreams for bold action. As an Associate Professor of Applied Theatre at Governors State University, Quenna shapes participatory, theater-based programs at prestigious institutions like the University of Chicago and Goodman Theatre. Adept in devised and social justice theater, she conceived and directed "Re-writing the Declaration," a groundbreaking play interrogating the nation’s founding by centering Black, queer femmes. A versatile collaborator, Quenna has contributed to projects with Paramount Theatre, NYU Steinhardt, and For Youth Inquiry, among others.

Blackberry Blues Cabaret

Sea M. Miller is a cultural writer, educator, and theater-maker based in Chicago, IL. Their scholarly & artistic work is rooted in the performance traditions of Zora Neale Hurston, August Wilson, and Ntozake Shange. Drawing inspiration from these sources, as well as their own experience growing up in the Black charismatic church, they approach performance as a mode of embodied research and as a spiritual technology—for ancestral veneration, time travel, and social change. Originally from the Jersey Shore, Sea received a B.A. in English Literature & Language with a concentration in Poetry Writing from the University of Virginia. They also hold an A.M. in Theatre and Performance Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. They have directed, produced, and devised performances for audiences in St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL, and Brooklyn, NY. Currently, Sea is translating their passion for theater and performance through the lens of burlesque.

The Legacy Project

Born and raised in Chicago, Roy Kinsey defies tradition as a black, queer-identified rapper and librarian. Unapologetically non-conformist, his albums, including "Blackie: A Story by Roy Kinsey" and "Kinsey: A Memoir," explore his life with potent musical performances. His upcoming release, "A Westside Story: The Legacy Project" (September 2024), promises more autobiographical depth. Shaped by witnessing threats to Black and queer bodies in Chicago and beyond, Kinsey's works meditate on his experiences coming of age. Featured on major publications like Chicago Reader and Billboard, his storytelling prowess solidifies his place in black music and literature. As a librarian for 11 years, his profession fuels self-examination, reflected in his impactful rhymes. He believes his heartfelt creations will resonate widely.