The Ghetto Shaman

This interdisciplinary work employs movement, music, set design, and oral storytelling to express a narrative that revolves around a young woman embarking on a quest to find the neighborhood shaman from her grandmother's

stories. Upon encountering him, he guides her through a ritual called soul retrieval—a process that involves recalling and reintegrating the lost parts of ourselves. During this journey, she encounters a familiar spirit, which could potentially be a reflection of herself and/or a female ancestor.

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Are black people aware of their inherent magic?

What consumes us as black individuals?

What captures our spirits and focus?

And how can we release these strongholds through rituals of reclamation?

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I am utilizing "The Ghetto Shaman" to amplify black voices and illuminate spiritual lineages, both known and forgotten, within the minds of black people in the diaspora. My plan involves conducting interviews with black adults and children, delving into their religious beliefs, spiritual connections, and their views on magic. I'm intrigued to explore whether black individuals believe in miracles.

 

In my role as an artist, I see my purpose as alchemizing the pain and ignorance of others into a narrative that unveils the truth about our origins in a fantastical manner. This narrative aims to transport audiences of all demographics into a world where they are willing to temporarily abandon their personal perspectives and embrace the viewpoint of the black shaman, medicine man, or wizard.

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