CELIA BENVENUTTI

Celia Eleanor Benvenutti is an Afro-Latina dance artist, native Detroiter and graduate from La Academia de las Americas, Cass Technical High School and Howard University. Currently, her movement practice is inspired by African Spirituality, the Katherine Dunham Technique, Afro- Caribbean folklore, Afro- Carribean contemporary styles, traditional African,  and African-Contemporary dance. She believes that self- examination, detachment, and discrimination, the three philosophies within the Katherine Dunham Technique, is key to evolution towards higher knowledge and forms. When not in the space of dance, she seeks sanctum in the kitchen, pulling recipes from her African, Puerto Rican, and American roots. Her goals are to continue the work in creating spaces for observation in Afro-Caribbean dance while using contemporary dance forms to further prompt the observer for more investigation and awareness in Afro-Caribbean folklore and spirituality. 

PC: Bree Gant

CHRISTINA CHAMMAS

Christina Chammas was born in Detroit, Michigan and earned a BFA in Dance from Wayne State University before moving to Chicago in 2016. Her choreography has been showcased at the Michigan Dance Festival, Going Dutch Festival, J e l l o at Links Hall, and more. She is currently a member of dropshift dance. Christina was commissioned as the 2019 Alumni Choreographer in Residence at Wayne State University. Christina's choreographic works are reflections of her lived experiences as a woman, a person of color, and a queer person. Her work is driven by a fascination with the passing of time and memory. Christina views her art as an extension of herself, and finds joy in the ability to connect and share a part of herself with others. 

PC: E.Ru Photography

LOCAL DANCE ARTIST RESIDENCY

SPRING | MARCH 1 - MAY 31, 2020

SUMMER/FALL | POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The Local Dance Artist Residency is awarded to 2 local artists annually, and is limited to Southeast Michigan based dance artists. This program intends to support Detroit artists with interests in developing their creative practice. Artists will share their movement research in an open works-in-progress showing where audiences provide critical feedback through moderated conversation as well as teach CSD weekly class and share their methods in a classroom setting.

The residency includes:

• 70 hours of rehearsal over 10 weeks

• 2 works-in-progress showings

• $1,000 stipend

• Teach two weekly CSD classes

VISITING DANCE ARTIST RESIDENCY

DATES DEPENDENT ON ARTIST

The Visiting Dance Artist Residency is awarded to one artist annually. This program intends to support dance artists with interests in developing their creative practice. Artists will share their movement research in an open works-in-progress showing where audiences provide critical feedback through moderated conversation as well as teach CSD weekly class and share their methods in a classroom setting.

The residency includes:

• 10 hours of rehearsal over 1 week

• 1 works-in-progress showing

• $200 stipend