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Make Ready Again


Graphic of dancer Marguerite Hemmings jumping forward with face down over dirt. They are surrounded by grass and bush behind them. The photo is surrounded by a black background and text describing the event.

MAKE READY AGAIN

SHOW TIMES • DEC 5 @ 7:30 PM | DEC 6 @ 7:30 PM | DEC 7 @ 7:30 PM

THEATRE EXILE • 1340 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147


ABOUT THE EVENT

Join movement artist Marguerite Hemmings and an array of stellar musicians for Make Ready Again, an evening of dance, storytelling, and music. Plagued by the collective shadow of an unanswered call for reparations and repair for the African Diaspora, Marguerite performs a live process of meeting their own diaspora-shaped shadow, who invites them to unravel, rage, and grieve. Seeking answers at first, Marguerite comes up empty, but ready. Take your time and unravel – this is an invitation to become present again, clear again, ready again.

photos by Dante Napoli

  • Marguerite A.M. Hemmings is a Jamaican Philadelphia-based artist who specializes in emergent, improvisational and social movement styles and technologies. They are researching the subversive role of dance and music technologies throughout the African Diaspora and channels these technologies throughout their work using body, text, social/public media, and moving image.

    Hemmings’ work is also embedded in alternative pedagogy and social practice/research and they have worked at University of the Arts in the School of Dance, Arizona State University, Princeton University, and many afterschool programs and community centers. They have received grants and fellowships from the Jerome Foundation, Brooklyn Arts Council, Harlem Stage, University Settlement, Dancing While Black, Urban Bush Women’s Choreographic Center Initiative, Arizona State University’s Projecting All Voices Fellowship, Abrons Arts Center, Headlong Performance Institute, and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts to further their research. They've received a Bessie Award for Outstanding Performer in Eva Yaa Asantewaa’s Skeleton Architecture as well as directed and performed in the Bessie nominated piece, ‘we free’.

    Visit wefreeee.com and their IG page: @margueriteangelicamonique to see more.

  • Trumpet Wom' combines trumpet, keys and low sultry vocals into a singer/songwriter act that sounds something like Nina Simone meets David Bowie. T-Wom’ received a Bachelor’s of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Maryland College Park where she studied with Chris Gekker. Highlights from her career include recording at Converse Rubber Tracks, YouTube Studios and with GRAMMY winning producer Scott Jacoby. She is excited and honored to play freelance for Make Ready Again. Learn more at trumpetwom.com, and visit her on Youtube.

    Max Ilan Hoenig is a pianist, keyboardist, composer, producer and educator from Philadelphia.  He has performed with artists such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, Renée Fleming, Paul Simon, Maysa, The Force MD's, Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart, and members of The Platters, The Drifters and The Temptations. He has also collaborated with rising artists including Armani White, Ivy Sole, Orion Sun and Kayla “Black Buttafly” Childs. In 2017, Max began touring internationally with Grammy-nominated soul group, The Stylistics. Additionally, Max co-founded the collective Omar's Hat and has organized jam sessions and events in the city for over 8 years. You can find Max on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.

    Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Ajay Shughart, encompasses the vast, experimental nature of modern sound design with the soul-drenched ingredients that defined Philadelphia for decades. The self-produced artist's vulnerable falsetto vocals bring the nostalgia of 60s and 70s R&B into a new era of existential lyricism. While acting as touring guitarist/bassist to Alternative R&B artist, Orion Sun, as well as performing with local supergroup, Omar's Hat, AJAY has been able to create and expand upon his own unique perspective. Check out AJAY’s music on Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.

    Lee Clarke is a Philadelphia-based producer and multi-instrumentalist. Drawing on a background in jazz, R&B and experimental music, he has produced for a plethora of Philadelphia artists across genres, garnering attention from Pitchfork, NPR, The Fader, okayplayer and Afropunk. After years behind the scenes, his first solo project, ‘Off Nights’, was released on Astro Nautico in 2020. He has since released two LPs, including 2022’s ‘Genes’ which won Bandcamp’s album of the Day, and 2024’s ‘Lunar Retreat’. Find Lee on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.

    Lenny Mobley is a Philly native who plays multiple instruments: drums, bass, piano, organ, guitar. Lenny grew up in church where he was able to develop these different gifts and skills. Lenny is also a two-time No.1 Billboard charting musician and producer who has worked with artists like Carol Riddick, J. Brown, Ms.Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Y.G. Marley, Marc E Bassy, and many more. Lenny has also helped score movies and documentaries such as “A Nashville Legacy” and American Masters Renegade series. You can find Lenny on Instagram and Facebook.

    Daniel Suun is an all in one artist. Having the skill set of a singer, songwriter, multi- instrumentalist and producer, he is proving himself to be an artist to watch. After picking up piano and honing in on his vocal ability, Daniel chose to attend Berklee College of Music to broaden his musical horizons. Daniel has shared the stage and/or performed with Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Nona Hendryx, and Vernon Reid to name a few. After attending Berklee, Daniel left Boston for New York to be a part of the cast for the Off-Broadway show “What’s it All About: Bacharach Reimagined” which ran at the New York Theatre Workshop. After the run was over, he decided to put all his focus on his original music. Daniel has developed a solid fan base as well as working with critically acclaimed collaborators Meshell Ndgeocello and Bob Power on his single “Lightwalk.” He has toured as support for artists such as Leon Bridges, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Nick Hakim and had his song “Long Ways” featured in the season 1 finale of OWN network’s Queen Sugar. Find Daniel on Instagram and TikTok.

    JONILL is an emerging singer, songwriter, and producer in the Philadelphia area. His art serves to reflect and connect focusing on themes of self love, growth, and mental health through the lens of alternative R&B, jazz, neo-soul, hip hop, and indie. In innovating and emulating sounds of the past, he strives to make music that is unique yet nostalgic. Stay up to date on all things JONILL on Soundcloud and Instagram.

  • Max Brown, COSTUME DESIGNER

    Max Brown has been making clothes since she learned to sew at her grandmother's knee as a little girl. She has worked with a host of performers and productions including the incomparable Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret/Dito Van Reigersberg creating original hair, make-up and costume looks. Max has also worked with Wilma Theater, Opera Philadelphia, Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Pig Iron Theater, Swarthmore College, FringeArts, Mural Arts, and with performers such as Annie Wilson, Johnny Showcase and the Mystic Ticket, Red 40 and Eliza Hardy Jones. Visit Max’s work on Instagram and Facebook.

    Tania “t” Saiz Perez, STAGE MANAGER

    Tania “t” Saiz Perez is a queer immigrant dance artist and stage manager currently based in Philadelphia, PA. They graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Dance, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield, in 2021. Most recently, Tania served as the Production Coordinator and Stage Manager for the School of Dance at UArts and had the opportunity to work with Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, Jesse Zaritt, Jordan Lloyd, Juel D. Lane, Netta Yerushalmy, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Sidra Bell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, amongst others. Additional freelance stage management credits include BigKid Dance, Cannonball Festival, and MICHIYAYA Dance. You can find T’s work on their Instagram.

    Rick Rein, AUDIO ENGINEER

    Rick Rein is a musician, sound engineer, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. His work revolves around live performances, whether in theaters or concert halls or clubs or recording studios. Until recently, he taught classes related to sound engineering at the University of the Arts. He has performed or mixed every genre of music that exists. Visit Rick on Instagram, and on his website rickrein.com.

    Su Güzey, LIGHTING DESIGNER
    Su Güzey is a dancer, performer and choreographer. In 2009, Güzey started studying Management in Performing Arts in Bilgi University and two years later she entered in MSGSÜ State Conservatory of Contemporary Dance, from which she graduated in 2015. As a performer she has worked with choreographers and companies such as Jerome Bel, Helder Seabra and La Fura Dels Baus. In 2014, she presented her choreography Store My DNA, So They Can Regenerate My Soul at İKSV 19th İstanbul Theatre Festival. Since 2015, she has been working with Aakash Odedra. In 2019, she started collaborating with Evrim Akyay with whom she created kitty kitty. Together with Metehan Kayan, she is founder, curator and coordinator of Visibility in Arts Festival (Sanatta Görünürlük Festivali) organised in collaboration with Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, the festival which started in İstanbul is now also taking place in İzmir in collaboration with Budalasultan collective.

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