Creative expression within the LGBTQ community is crucial for many individuals as art can often serve as a lifeline and refuge.
New York City has always provided abundant opportunities for LGBTQ artists to showcase their work and talents. Today, by continuing to provide spaces for LGBTQ artists to create and exhibit their craft, self-expression remains core to fostering a sense of community and acceptance
For Brooklyn-based artist Cain Coleman, the freedom to express creativity has consistently served as both a means of sustenance and a source of inspiration. Coleman, a well-known performer and artist, originates from Richmond, Virginia, began his formal training at various institutions in Richmond, including the Richmond Ballet, Henrico High School Center for the Arts, Virginia School of Arts, and Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center. It was at the City Dance Theater where he first discovered his passion for performing.
Following his education at the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase, Coleman embarked on his professional journey with Philadanco and subsequently became a member of The Martha Graham Dance Company. His experience includes collaborations with prestigious organizations such as the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Theatre and The Metropolitan Opera, where he continues to challenge conventions and delve into the limitless realms of artistic creativity.
During the last academic year, Coleman has been engaged in teaching and crafting innovative material alongside dance students from Purchase. This partnership culminated in performances for the Purchase Dance Company’s spring concert and a residency initiative at The Shed. Coleman’s primary focus was on incorporating participants from Purchase into the creative development of ‘New Information’.
In the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion, The Shed, a cultural independent nonprofit, has launched Open Call, a large-scale commissioning program for early-career, NYC-based artists. As part of its inaugural-year program, the nonprofit is dedicated to promoting art forms, addressing pressing issues, and ensuring that its work has a meaningful and sustainable impact on the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.
This season, Open Call is also showcasing a complimentary series of fresh performance pieces by eight up-and-coming artists based in NYC. The selected artists will debut their new works on specific weekends from June 20 to August 17 at The Shed’s Griffin Theater and Level 4 Overlook, featuring Cain Coleman, Kyle Dacuyan, Kayla Hamilton, Nile Harris, NIC Kay, Asia Stewart, Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre, and Garrett Zuercher.
The artists produce pieces in various fields such as drag performance, sculpture, filmmaking, and poetry, with each offering thoughtful and community-oriented reactions to the pressing matters of today. From November 4, 2023, to January 21, 2024, the showcase featured 10 artworks that intersect between personal narratives with world events.
In July, ‘New Information’ by Cain Coleman invited the audience to embark on a journey of self-discovery and the unwavering pursuit of artistic expression. Through an immersive setting, attendees were drawn into a memorable evening filled with original music, live instruments, performance art, and captivating visual displays. Inspired by Coleman’s background in Brooklyn’s queer nightlife scene, ‘New Information’ seamlessly blends the creativity of a concert or theatrical production with the vibrancy and sense of community found at a lively dance gathering.
Coleman frequently engages the Purchase network to collaborate with various artists. The band for “New Information” includes drummer David Frazier, a graduate of the class of 2012 and recipient of a Master’s degree in 2014 in Jazz Studies, along with bassist John Feliciano, who graduated in 2010 and completed his Master’s in 2012, also in Jazz Studies. Feliciano serves as the Music Director, while Chazz Giovanni Bruce, a graduate of 2014 in Acting, takes on the role of Assistant Director. Additionally, the production features nonbinary DJ producer and youth advocate, DJ Samuella.
Characterized as a “pulsing, vibrant self-exploration through a concert, immersive performance, and dance party,” “New Information” highlights the diverse elements of Coleman’s artistic expression and promises “an unforgettable evening, showcasing original music, live instrumentation, performance art, and striking visual art.” This event also marks the release of Coleman’s new EP, which shares the same title.
“New Information” is an immersive performance that combines different artistic worlds. The show begins with a striking performance by Coleman in drag setting the tone for the diverse range of artists involved. Coleman intentionally wanted to create a space where all types of artists could come together and express themselves. He felt it was important to share the stage with his students and showcase the power of queer artistic formance. By merging these different worlds “New Information” aims to break boundaries and inspire creativity in all who experience it. The 75 minute performance encompasses numerous segments that address themes such as racism, the challenges faced by the BIPOC community, the anxieties experienced by queer artists, and the significance of aspiring to achieve dreams.
Open Call aims to bridge the gap between different art forms and audiences, offering a platform for contemporary issues to be reflected through powerful and thought-provoking art. The Shed is dedicated to addressing pressing matters of our era. This value influences involvement in the continuous effort to achieve a world that is more diverse, fair, inclusive, and accessible for artists.
Focusing on BIPOC artists and the integration of disability arts, Open Call strives to move past mere discussions of representation by backing urgent, artistically challenging projects, innovative ideas, creative artists, and varied audiences. Open Call remains committed to nurturing and aiding the upcoming generation of NYC artists through the upcoming fourth edition of the program set to be revealed in late 2024.
For more information about Open Call and The Shed, click here.