Q: Do you believe dance can be a platform for social justice topics? If so, how? and/or Have you used your art form to make a difference?

Girl, you speaking my language. I am someone who is from an incarcerated family — my father, brother, uncles have all been incarcerated for over five years. I am lucky that through movement, I was able to break that cycle. On the path of my career, dancing for KyleAbraham and being the first African American male in [Punchdrunk’s off-broadway show] ‘Sleep No More’, I had to factor in how people saw me and the representation of my identity on stage. I am making a work now about me and my father and the idea of isolation and mass incarceration — I have been working on that for three years. 

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Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you as a performing artist?

Basically, it has put my entire life on hold. My tour was canceled with Camille. My teaching gigs were canceled. Everything was canceled. I have one paycheck and I’m living off that, waiting to see what happens next. But, I’m trying to be positive about it. I like to see the community coming together and working. Seeing everyone on social media interacting in class is so nice.