Geffri Maya Hightower picture

Unveiling The Visionary Artistry Of Geffri Maya Hightower

Geffri Maya Hightower picture

By  Shaniya McCullough

Geffri Maya Hightower is a choreographer and dancer who creates and performs works that explore the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality. She is also a founding member of the Bessie Award-winning collective Flux Theatre Ensemble.

Hightower's work has been praised for its originality, its fearless exploration of difficult subjects, and its commitment to social justice. She has received numerous awards for her work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Doris Duke Artist Award, and a United States Artists Fellowship.

This article will explore Hightower's innovative approach to choreography, her commitment to social change, and her impact on the contemporary dance world.

Geffri Maya Hightower

Geffri Maya Hightower is a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of the Bessie Award-winning collective Flux Theatre Ensemble. Her work explores the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, and she has received numerous awards for her original and thought-provoking choreography.

  • Choreographer
  • Dancer
  • Flux Theatre Ensemble
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Sexuality
  • Social justice
  • Guggenheim Fellowship
  • Doris Duke Artist Award
  • United States Artists Fellowship

Hightower's work has been praised for its originality, its fearless exploration of difficult subjects, and its commitment to social change. She is a true pioneer in the contemporary dance world, and her work continues to inspire and challenge audiences around the globe.

Name Born Occupation
Geffri Maya Hightower 1976 Choreographer, dancer

Choreographer

As a choreographer, Geffri Maya Hightower creates and develops dance routines and sequences. Her work as a choreographer is deeply influenced by her personal experiences and her commitment to social justice.

  • Storytelling

    Hightower's choreography often tells a story, exploring themes of race, gender, and sexuality. Her work is deeply personal and often draws on her own experiences as a queer black woman.

  • Collaboration

    Hightower frequently collaborates with other artists, including dancers, musicians, and visual artists. She believes that collaboration can create a more dynamic and meaningful work of art.

  • Innovation

    Hightower is known for her innovative and experimental choreography. She is not afraid to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of dance.

  • Social Justice

    Hightower's choreography is often infused with a message of social justice. She uses her work to raise awareness of important issues and to challenge the status quo.

Hightower's work as a choreographer has had a profound impact on the contemporary dance world. She is a true pioneer in her field, and her work continues to inspire and challenge audiences around the globe.

Dancer

Geffri Maya Hightower is not only a choreographer but also a dancer, bringing her own unique style and perspective to her work. As a dancer, she:

  • Performer

    Hightower is a highly skilled and expressive performer, bringing her own unique energy and interpretation to each role she plays.

  • Collaborator

    As a dancer, Hightower frequently collaborates with other artists, including choreographers, musicians, and visual artists. She is always willing to share her ideas and work together to create something truly special.

  • Storyteller

    Hightower's dancing is often infused with a sense of storytelling. She uses her movement to convey emotions, ideas, and experiences.

  • Activist

    Hightower uses her dancing to raise awareness of important social issues. She is a vocal advocate for social justice and equality.

Hightower's work as a dancer has had a profound impact on the contemporary dance world. She is a true pioneer in her field, and her work continues to inspire and challenge audiences around the globe.

Flux Theatre Ensemble

Flux Theatre Ensemble is a Bessie Award-winning collective of artists who create and perform original works of theater, dance, and music. The ensemble was founded in 1990 by a group of artists, including Geffri Maya Hightower, who were interested in creating work that was both innovative and socially relevant.

Hightower has been a member of Flux Theatre Ensemble since its inception, and she has played a major role in the development of the ensemble's unique artistic vision. Her work with Flux has explored a wide range of topics, including race, gender, sexuality, and social justice. Hightower's work is often characterized by its use of movement, music, and text to create a powerful and evocative theatrical experience.

Flux Theatre Ensemble has been a critical component of Hightower's artistic development. The ensemble has provided her with a supportive environment in which to create and develop her work. Flux has also given Hightower the opportunity to collaborate with other artists and to learn from their different perspectives.

Hightower's work with Flux Theatre Ensemble has had a profound impact on the contemporary dance world. She has helped to pioneer a new approach to choreography that is both innovative and socially relevant. Her work has inspired and challenged audiences around the globe.

Race

Race is a critical component of Geffri Maya Hightower's work as a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble. Her experiences as a queer black woman have profoundly shaped her artistic perspective and the themes she explores in her work.

Hightower's work often challenges traditional notions of race and identity. She uses her choreography to explore the ways in which race intersects with other forms of oppression, such as sexism and homophobia. She also uses her work to celebrate the beauty and resilience of black culture.

For example, in her work "The White Album," Hightower examines the ways in which whiteness is constructed as the norm in American society. She uses movement, text, and music to create a powerful and evocative exploration of the ways in which white privilege operates.

Hightower's work is not only informative but also deeply personal. She uses her art to share her own experiences and to challenge the status quo. Her work is a powerful reminder of the importance of race in shaping our lives and our world.

Gender

Gender is a central aspect of Geffri Maya Hightower's work as a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble. Her experiences as a queer black woman have profoundly shaped her artistic perspective and the themes she explores in her work.

  • Identity

    Hightower's work often explores the ways in which gender intersects with other forms of identity, such as race and sexuality. She uses her choreography to challenge traditional notions of gender and to celebrate the fluidity and diversity of gender expression.

  • Power

    Hightower's work also examines the ways in which gender is used to create and maintain power structures. She uses her choreography to critique the ways in which women and queer people are often marginalized and oppressed.

  • Representation

    Hightower is committed to creating work that is representative of the diverse range of gender identities and experiences. She often works with transgender and non-binary dancers, and she uses her choreography to challenge the erasure of these communities.

  • Liberation

    Ultimately, Hightower's work is about liberation. She uses her choreography to create a space where people of all genders can feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Hightower's work on gender is groundbreaking and important. She is a pioneer in the field of dance, and her work has helped to change the way we think about gender. She is an inspiration to all who are working to create a more just and equitable world.

Sexuality

Sexuality is a central aspect of Geffri Maya Hightower's work as a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble. Her experiences as a queer black woman have profoundly shaped her artistic perspective and the themes she explores in her work.

Hightower's work often challenges traditional notions of sexuality and gender. She uses her choreography to explore the ways in which sexuality intersects with other forms of identity and oppression. For example, in her work "The White Album," Hightower examines the ways in which whiteness is constructed as the norm in American society. She also explores the ways in which heterosexuality is often seen as the only "normal" or "natural" form of sexuality.

Hightower's work is not only informative but also deeply personal. She uses her art to share her own experiences and to challenge the status quo. Her work is a powerful reminder of the importance of sexuality in shaping our lives and our world.

Social justice

Social justice is a central aspect of Geffri Maya Hightower's work as a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble. Her experiences as a queer black woman have profoundly shaped her artistic perspective and the themes she explores in her work. Hightower's work often challenges traditional notions of race, gender, sexuality, and class, and she uses her art to advocate for social justice and equality.

  • Equity

    Hightower's work promotes equity by challenging systems of oppression and discrimination. For example, her work "The White Album" examines the ways in which whiteness is constructed as the norm in American society, and how this can lead to the marginalization of people of color.

  • Diversity

    Hightower's work celebrates diversity and inclusion. She often works with dancers from a variety of backgrounds, and her work often explores the intersection of different identities. For example, her work "Woke" explores the experiences of queer and transgender people of color.

  • Intersectionality

    Hightower's work recognizes the intersectionality of different forms of oppression. She understands that people can be marginalized in multiple ways, and her work often explores the ways in which race, gender, sexuality, and class intersect to create unique experiences of oppression.

  • Empowerment

    Hightower's work is empowering. She uses her art to give voice to the marginalized and to challenge the status quo. Her work inspires others to fight for social justice and equality.

Hightower's commitment to social justice is evident in all of her work. She is a powerful voice for change, and her work is an important contribution to the fight for a more just and equitable world.

Guggenheim Fellowship

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation awards Guggenheim Fellowships to exceptional individuals in pursuit of advanced research in any field of knowledge and creation. These prestigious fellowships provide financial assistance to scholars, artists, and scientists, allowing them to conduct their research and produce groundbreaking work.

Geffri Maya Hightower is a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble who has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. Hightower's work explores the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, and she uses her choreography to challenge traditional notions of identity and power. The Guggenheim Fellowship has been a critical component of Hightower's artistic development, providing her with the financial resources and time to create new work and push the boundaries of her art form.

For example, Hightower's work "The White Album" was developed with the support of a Guggenheim Fellowship. "The White Album" is a powerful and provocative work that examines the ways in which whiteness is constructed as the norm in American society. Hightower uses movement, text, and music to create a visceral and evocative exploration of the ways in which white privilege operates.

The Guggenheim Fellowship has been a transformative experience for Hightower, allowing her to deepen her artistic practice and create work that is both innovative and socially relevant. Hightower's work is a testament to the power of the Guggenheim Fellowship to support and nurture artistic excellence.

Doris Duke Artist Award

The Doris Duke Artist Award, established by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, provides financial support to individual artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent and promise. This prestigious award recognizes artists across various disciplines, including theater, dance, music, and visual arts.

Geffri Maya Hightower, a choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble, has been the recipient of the Doris Duke Artist Award. Hightower's work explores the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, and she uses her choreography to challenge traditional notions of identity and power.

The Doris Duke Artist Award has been a critical component of Hightower's artistic development, providing her with the financial resources and time to create new work and push the boundaries of her art form. For example, Hightower's work "The White Album" was developed with the support of a Doris Duke Artist Award. "The White Album" is a powerful and provocative work that examines the ways in which whiteness is constructed as the norm in American society. Hightower uses movement, text, and music to create a visceral and evocative exploration of the ways in which white privilege operates.

The support provided by the Doris Duke Artist Award has enabled Hightower to delve deeply into her artistic practice and create work that is both innovative and socially relevant. Her work serves as a testament to the transformative power of the award in fostering artistic excellence.

United States Artists Fellowship

The United States Artists Fellowship, established in 2006, is a prestigious award program that provides unrestricted financial support to exceptional artists across various disciplines. This fellowship recognizes and celebrates individuals who demonstrate originality, innovation, and artistic excellence, fostering the vitality of the cultural landscape in the United States.

Among the notable recipients of the United States Artists Fellowship is Geffri Maya Hightower, a renowned choreographer, dancer, and founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble. Hightower's work has consistently explored the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, challenging traditional narratives and societal norms through the medium of movement and performance.

The United States Artists Fellowship has played a pivotal role in the artistic development of Geffri Maya Hightower. The unrestricted nature of the fellowship has allowed Hightower to pursue her creative vision without financial constraints, providing her with the time and resources to delve deeply into her artistic practice. Through the support of the fellowship, Hightower has been able to create works that push the boundaries of contemporary dance and engage with urgent social and political issues.

The connection between the United States Artists Fellowship and Geffri Maya Hightower exemplifies the transformative power of artistic support. The fellowship has empowered Hightower to take artistic risks, experiment with different forms of expression, and make a significant impact on the cultural landscape. Hightower's work continues to inspire and challenge audiences, fostering greater understanding and empathy through the universal language of dance.

Throughout this exploration of Geffri Maya Hightower's artistry, several key ideas have emerged. Firstly, Hightower's work consistently interrogates the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, challenging conventional societal narratives through the expressive medium of dance. Secondly, her commitment to social justice is deeply embedded in her choreography, using her platform to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for equity and inclusion.

Hightower's groundbreaking approach to dance and her unwavering dedication to fostering social change have earned her recognition as a visionary artist. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of the arts, encouraging viewers to critically engage with societal structures and work towards a more just and equitable world. As Hightower continues to push the boundaries of her art form, her influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of artists and activists alike.

Geffri Maya Hightower picture
Geffri Maya Hightower picture

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Picture of Geffri Maya Hightower
Picture of Geffri Maya Hightower

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Picture of Geffri Maya Hightower
Picture of Geffri Maya Hightower

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