Performance group

WHAT: "The Immersion Lab"

WHEN: Wednesdays 730-10pm & Saturdays 3-6, Aug 8 - Dec 5th. Show Date: Dec 4th & 5th 

WHERE: Wednesday’s Whim W'Him, Saturday’s Baila District 

WHO: Jojo Diggs + Guest Teachers and Choreographers 

HOW MUCH: $720 PIF, or $205 x 4 months 

GROUP SIZE - Small, Approx 15 people (up to 20 max) 

This group is for you if:

• You want to dive deeper into understanding *your movement instead of just learning choreo / someone else’s movement. 
• You feel ready for something more soulful and personal through a smaller group (approx 15 people) 
• You are available to commit to rehearsal and performance dates 
• You want to learn how to apply the forms (such as House, Hip Hop, Locking, etc.) into choreography and/or performance

This group is NOT for you if: 

• You are not ready to dive deep, and vulnerable, and change. 
• You can’t commit to the rehearsal days and times 
• You don’t yet have an understanding of your *basics in movement and/or your Self 

About the IMMERSION process:

Come and meet a deeper side of you, your artistry and the artistic process. 

Immersion, in relationship to artistry, is defined as the complete focus on something, where the rest of the world disappears. Some might call it flow state. Through exploring the “shadows” of your identity and artistry we will uncover what holds you back from this complete immersion. 

• Where do you lack the trust for yourself and others that allows yourself to immerse? 
• Where do you limit yourself because of perfectionism or people pleasing?
• And what does the practice of letting go of this in a loving way feel like?

Jojo will utilize a combination of shadow work, somatic awareness, dance and community to help you discover what holds you back from your liberation and how to choose something different and new. 

Through a strategic series of questions, sharing, improv practices and choreographed pieces that dive into your psyche, Jojo will help you identify where you hide, what you (over)compensate with, and how to gently and boldly let go to try something else - something more “you” - and maybe most importantly - something that doesn’t feel like a “fix” or dominance but an act of self-respect. 

Through this exploration the show will be created. Each cast members journey will create the show, and the show will be the cast. No two shows will ever be the same. 

Come experience this practice of immersion. 

Expected Results: 

• More relaxed state of being in your body in both dance and day to day life
• Fuller self-expression in life and in your movement 
• Greater endurance in dancing through learning how to mentally breathe 
• Self-acceptance 
• Expanded willingness to be seen as you are instead of trying to become an imagined perfect version 
• Deeper awareness of who you want to be outside systems of colonized thinking  
• Emotional process and release during the creation of the show 
• Soulful connection to Jojo and the rest of the cast
• Opportunity to perform in a completely unique and inspiring show with incredible cast 

Seeking: 

Those with a demonstrated ability to execute movement through choreography, freestyle and/or foundation, and a willingness to crack open emotionally. 

What the choreography / performance will be like: 

All choreography will be rooted in Black cultural forms and will carry deeper themes to express emotions such as anger, confidence, fear, joy, passion, insecurity, etc. Genres such as House, Hip Hop, Whacking, and Waving (and more) will be utilized to express the human experience. There will also be pieces with freestyles, sometimes solos, and often shared improvs passed back and forth. You will not only be learning choreography, you will be learning who you have been, are, and want to be, inside of your movement. 

Process: 

This process will include both private and open questions / shares to expose and unpack in a safe container. This will help you meet yourself in a whole new way and will manifest in a shift in your souls expression. 

The process will culminate in an evening-length performance held December 4th and 5th. Through our creative journey you will learn about yourself and others, and about yourself through others. 

Much of the content of the final piece will be co-created through the timeline and vulnerability of your shares.