DBR Lab: Spring 2019
The inaugural DBR Lab came together as driven artists at Arizona State University pursuing passionate individual projects. They were invited by Daniel Roumain to form an artist collective and collaboration space for exceptional artists to develop and present their work. Together, they developed the foundational structure for the DBR Lab by meeting weekly with Daniel individually and as a group.
The Spring 2019 DBR Lab cohort produced a Spark at Dark event at the Mesa Arts Center in March 2019 and presented an original performance at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, New York in April 2019. Photography by Keegan Carlson.
LADY CARESS
MFA: Theatre (Acting)
For over 10 years, nationally recognized poet, Lady Caress has dedicated her life to the art of communication as both a poet and public speaker. As a National Poetry Champion in 2010 at Pi Kappa Delta, Lady Caress has designed and executed public speaking and poetry workshops for various organizations. She has featured at over 150 colleges and universities all over the country with her unique beatbox storytelling show. Seen on BET at the 365 Black Awards and Season 4 of Verses and Flow on TvOne, Lady Caress is truly a dynamic performer.
ADELE ETHERIDGE WOODSON
BFA: Music
Adele Etheridge Woodson joined the DBR Lab as a junior music major at ASU. She has actively practiced music for thirteen years, composing, playing violin, and collaborating. In her first semester at university, Adele composed for and performed in her own solo show. Since then, she has completed several large projects, including a sound installation for an art museum, a London internship, performances in Nashville, and a hiphop string quartet.
SARAH “SAZA” KENT
MFA: Dance
Sarah “Saza” Kent is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of EPIK Dance Company (est. 2007), a group of artists who combine street and concert dance styles with elements of hip hop theatre, spoken word, media and song to tell stories & spread a message. She received her MFA in Dance from ASU and travels nationally choreographing, teaching, performing, and emceeing.
MALENA GROSZ
MFA: Theatre (Arts Entrepreneurship & Management)
As an MFA candidate in Theatre, Arts Entrepreneurship and Management at ASU, Malena’s research explores the intersection between underground party culture and creative community development. Her project is the Party Pro Toolkit, which shares best practices and stories through podcast interviews with party professionals in New York, Detroit and Phoenix. Malena aims to cultivate community through creative nightlife experiences, creating a platform and safe space for expression, collaboration and celebration.
JORDAN KLITZKE
MFA: Dance
Always fascinated by subconscious communication, Jordan Klitzke researches the human experience through choreography, teaching, and dramaturgy. He received his MFA in Dance from ASU and was recently Executive Director/Company Manager of Ate9 for the 2018-19 season. Jordan holds a BA in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College and studied at the Professional School of Dance in Mazatlán, México. He was the resident choreographer of the National Contemporary Ballet of Ecuador in 2015/16 and continues to travel to Latin America for choreographic and cultural exchange projects.