Episode Overview: In this episode Chasity and Micah discuss: Vulnerable artistic and personal expression; Generational curses/blessings; Dance; Choosing to stand out; Choosing to be vulnerable and going against “norms”; Making change through the arts, impact of art even if no one likes it; and how we change things ourselves or things change for us.

More about the speakers:

Chasity Flores is a desert flower blooming in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a professional Dancer/Choreographer, an Arizona State University Alumni. She recieved her BFA in Dance and has been a part of many works at Arizona State University and throughout her home community of Arizona. Since she and her twin sister, Destiny Flores (aka Ave Marcello of The Sintrics;local Arizona Rock Band)were young girls they would sing in beauty pageants together and at many event as well as performing songs in ASL (American Sign Language).She has been performing since she could walk,as a child she was a young philanthropist for the Cool Hands Club Foundation,movement begin in competitive Cheerleading; she was featured on ESPN with her pop-warner cheer-team, the Boilermakers Fiesta bowl runner up for Best soloist 2014, and 12 years of teaching experience from learning centers , group homes,studios, interships, and her true passion for dance. She is a trauma informed artist and facilitator. Still competing for Crowns in Nevada; participating more in the Burlesque community of Las Vegas and it's glamourous appeal to empower sensuality through the female gaze; the art of tease,Flores was born to illuminate the stage. Follow her on Instagram for more: @florwerkberserk

A US-born transplant and newly ecstatic resident of Ottawa, Micah Jondel DeShazer (micahjondel.com), over the last 15 years (between New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago and Madison) has developed into an accomplished actor, director, musician, artistic leader and educator. He had quickly immersed himself in the Ottawa theater community, acting in several local works, musical directing at Orpheus Theatre (Memphis), and directing independent works (Puzzles, Ottawa Fringe Festival 2022.), while staying plugged into his roots in Phoenix through his continued work with GBC. Always seeking the unexpected and drawn to passionate artists, Micah is honored to have been an ever growing list of so many. Notable projects include: The Tempest (Torchlight Theater - Company of Fools), Matilda (CTM), Passing Strange (iTheatre Collaborative) & Native Son (ariZoni, Best Actor).

Producing Company Bio: Grey Box Collective (GBC) devises interdisciplinary, experimental, and post-dramatic work about social and emotional wellbeing (i.e. we make weird art about tough stuff). GBC finds innovative ways of exploring, challenging, and igniting difficult conversations. This is achieved by living in the messy grey areas of life and tackling socially relevant topics such as hate, shame, sexual violence, depression, and anxiety. GBC was founded in 2016 by Molly W. Schenck. Since then, GBC has produced over 20 new works, created by nearly 100 artists, and partnered with a dozen local organizations. GBC has presented work at the Boulder Fringe Festival, the Network of Ensemble Theaters’ annual conference, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and at the Phoenix Center of the Arts while in residency with nue[BOX].  In response to the pandemic, GBC expanded it’s digital offerings by hosting virtual workshops on Trauma-Informed Creative Practices, opening an online store with devising tools, and launching a podcast. For more information, sign up for GBC’s newsletter, check out GBC’s website, and follow GBC on social media.