Created by WADE after a series of listening sessions with the LGBTQA+ artistic community, the project responds to the need for underrepresented and historically marginalized artists for free rehearsal space, professional production opportunities to create work plus logistics and financial support to interact and impact the communities that are important to them.

The residency awarded seventy five (75) hours of rehearsal space to emerging LGBTQ2+ choreographers to create a new work or finetune an existing one. The choreographers received mentoring feedback from WADE collaborators, a formal studio showing with a Q&A talkback, professional photographs and videos for their portfolio, a fully-produced performance at The Tank as part of the International Human Rights Arts Festival, and a small stipend. The residency responds to the need for underrepresented and historically marginalized artists for free rehearsal space and professional production opportunities to create work that amplifies their voices and experiences.

Resident Choreographers:
Donald Lee, Noel Olson, Gesture Theater/Lou Sydel, John Trunfio

Gesture Theater: Lou Sydel is a choreographer whose work draws from the study of gesture as well as experiences of transness, imagining dance as a living journal for a body moving towards new directions. Past work has been shown at NYLA with Ellen Robbins, Triskelion Arts, Celebration Barn, La MaMa Puppet Slam, PortFringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Bowdoin College, Accademia Dell’Arte, Sokolow Theater / Dance Ensemble, Norte Maar Dance at Socrates, and the International Society for Gesture Studies. Lou is currently in the Artistic Leadership Circle for NYC’s first ever Physical Theater Festival, PhysFest. Find more at lousydel.com. @gesturetheater

John Trunfio: John Trunfio graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2020 with a BFA in Dance and is a certified aerial hoop/lyra instructor. He recently completed JV2 in England where he refined his physical theatre skills. johntrunfio.com @john_trunfio

Donald Lee: Donald Lee is a conceptual mover whose naive expression and experimental practice center on his evolving body, narrative, and belonging. His methodology transforms the aesthetic of damage into a system of repair. Donald is a member of Heidi Latsky Dance and Tap: On Tap. He has been profiled by PBS and New York Times. He presented at the 2023 HASTAC conference at Pratt Institute. Donald is also a contributing artist in Miranda July’s latest work in her upcoming solo exhibition at Fondazione Prada. He is a proud recipient of the 2024 WADE Pride Residency. @donaldklee

Noel Olson: Noel Olson is a dancer and choreographer from Omaha, Nebraska, based in New York City. They studied at The Ailey School, graduating from the certificate program in 2023, and are currently training with GibneyPRO. They have worked with Red is Dancing in a tribute to Judy Chicago featured in Elle Magazine. They also worked alongside Katy Pyle in “Travesty Doll Play Ballez (After Copelia)”. In 2023 they performed Algorithm Ocean True Blood Moves, created by Ana Pi and Julien Creuzet, commissioned by Performa and featured in the New York Times. Noel’s practice also incorporates elements of drag and dance theater in nightlife settings including their performance in GODSPAWN created by GODCOMPLEX, and Lover Boys co-created with Jules Assue. They have also performed work by Ronald K. Brown, Peter Chu, LAJAMARTIN, Ana-Maria Lucaciu, and Darrell Moultrie. Noel is eager to expand their own repertoire, with a focus of centering queerness in their work. noelolson.com @noelisinnocent