In March 2023, I launched a survey for trans dancers in the Chicagoland area. I asked them how it felt to be a trans person in space with different companies and classes, how many of us were employed by dance organizations and who created a safe space for us to thrive in. I researched physically in a movement workshop in December 2023 by hosting trans dancers in a communal space, and we investigated questions like:

*what does community mean to you?

*what songs/clothing make you feel euphoric?

*how do we disfigure ourselves to fit into spaces that aren’t specifically trans?

I compiled these results in a zine that accompanied my performance at Synapse Arts New Works in June 2023, which you can see below.

The workshop showed a NEED for spaces for trans people to dance, facilitated by a community member. That’s where Synapse stepped in. Now a weekly offering, trans dance connect is a space for everyone to come together, get grounded, and connect with your body in a private, intimate setting.