Nia Witherspoon’s Priestess of Twerk
Dec. 9th – 10th, 2022
Priestess of Twerk is a new work-in-development from National Theater Project Award-winning theater-maker, vocalist, and composer Nia Witherspoon. A Black feminist temple of pleasure, Priestess of Twerk is inspired by the “bad bitches” of hip hop, the reproductive justice movement, and sacred sex workers that graced ancient Egyptian temples.
This extraordinary, theatrical collaboration between creatives from New York and Chicago invites audiences into the world of Priestess of Twerk through a ritual concert (December 9th at 8pm) and immersive temple experiences (December 10th at 3pm & 9pm) at Links Hall.
Priestess of Twerk features the work of: Dreeemy Bae (aka Reem Abdou) (Sound designer/Performer), Jenn Freeman (aka Po’Chop) (Performer/Installation Design), Jack Fuller (Music Director/Performer), Justin Hicks (Sound Dramaturg/Witness), Brandi Holt (Costume Designer), Serena Ebony Miller (Performer/ Cello), Caren Celine Morris (Production Stage Manager), Shelley Nicole (Performer), and Anna Martine Whitehead (Dramaturg), and Nia Witherspoon (Creator/Performer).
In preparation for the performances, Links Hall will host Witherspoon and her creative team for an 8-day creative development residency, in partnership with the Ragdale Foundation.
EVENTS:
PRIESTESS OF TWERK: An Intergalactic Ritual-Concert
Friday, December 9, 2022, 8 pm
A participatory evening of invocations, conversations, conscious trap, sacred twerk, and spirit-filled song. Experience medicine songs for apocalyptic times, meditate while you twerk, and imagine your fugitivity as we introduce you to the world of Nia Witherspoon’s Priestess of Twerk, which places Black femmes at the center of evolution. This event will include ASL interpretation.
Tickets for this event are on set on a tiered ticketing system, from $10-40.
Get Tickets Here: https://linkshall.org/nia-witherspoons-priestess-of-twerk/
PRIESTESS OF TWERK: Sunset Temple Experience
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 3-7 pm
The Sunset Temple Experience is for women, non-binary, and womb-carrying folks. Healing and reflective work may include aspects of Birth, Creation, Womb Wellness, and Reproductive Justice.
Temple Experiences are focalized portals of loving support for Black Femme healing. Each immersive experience focuses on a different aspect of Black Femme experience including birth, creativity, womb health, dreaming, erotic–with ritual, meditation, journaling, cleansing, work with herbs, and ceremony. Details about each temple experience are forthcoming, including guidelines for each chamber.
$12 All Tickets, Limited to 10 participants
Get Tickets Here: https://linkshall.org/nia-witherspoons-priestess-of-twerk/
PRIESTESS OF TWERK: Night Temple Experience
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 9 pm – 1 am
The Night Temple Experience may include dream incubation, a dream circle, collective rest, ecstatic dance, and a traditional steam. Open to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
$12 All Tickets, Limited to 10 participants
Get Tickets Here: https://linkshall.org/nia-witherspoons-priestess-of-twerk/
