X-RATED PLANET (X) confronts stigmatized experiences and challenge cultural perception and the demonization of perpetrator/victim binary that keeps sexual trauma a hidden epidemic. X used documentary theater and street dance to celebrate the voices of “Me Too Movement” leaders and survivors of sexual harm while humanizing both the perpetrator and the victim. Research for this work included a partnership with The Ahimsa Collective (TAC) focusing on alternative ways to address violence and heal trauma. EP has joined TAC’s work with incarcerated persons inside of prisons, participating in restorative practice circles that put an emphasis on understanding the root causes of sexual violence.

EP received a New England National Dance Project National Dance Project to support the premier X RATED PLANET at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and national tour.

Live music by: Composer Amikaeyla Gaston and adélàjà simon

Interactive video art by: Meena Murugesan

Stories/interviews sourced by: EP; Dr. Joy Degruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome; Tarana Burke, Me Too Movement founder

In 2015, EP premiered Chalk Outlines at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (San Francisco) featuring original live music composed by Valerie Troutt. The production received an Isadora Duncan Award in Outstanding Music. This work toured to Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, OR) and City of Eugene Cultural Affairs Party on the plaza (Eugene, OR).

Seed Language, inspired by Black Lives Matter, featured words and in-person appearances by BLM co-founder Alicia Garza and former Black Panther leader Ericka Huggins.

“This is an intense performance, a bit like taking a defibrillator jolt to the soul... also is exquisitely subtle in its way. Klaymoon has woven opposing perspectives together and left the threads tangled — as in art, so in life.” – SF Chronicle

With a large cast of interdisciplinary performers – featuring Tigre Bailando, Dre ‘Poko Soul’ Devis, Sammay Dizon, Amber Julian, Terrence Paschal, Johnny “Rawkit” Nguyen Keisha Turner, George Wukong and Chris Young-Ginzburg aka Fluidgirl – “Music of the Actualized Child draws upon a documentary film by Oakland-based educator and visionary Shakti Butler. The film, 'Healing Justice,' explores the phenomenon of the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ whereby mostly children of color are systematically funneled into juvenile incarceration and eventually into prison. Music of the Actualized Child uses the film as a springboard for physical and musical invention, catalyzing an original work of documentary hip hop theater in the process.”

This work was funded by MAP Fund, commissioned by ODC Theater, and toured to Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show (Ashland, OR).

In 2017, EP performed Ancient Children as part of YBCA’s 2017 Culture Moves festival, which featured emerging and established Bay Area choreographers and dance makers. Curated by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, EP was invited and commissioned to present new work.

Performers included: Nicole Klaymoon; SAMMAY; George “WuKong” Cheng; Amber Julian; Terrence Paschal; Johnny Huy Nguyen aka “Johnny Rawkit”; Andrea “Poko” Devis; Keisha Turner; Rama Mahesh Hall; Xoa; and Tigre Bailando Mashaal-Lively. Featuring live original vocals by gina breedlove and live video art/projection mapping by Meena Murugesan.

“The hip-hop dance was commanding, the truths delivered unflinching. In case I haven’t been emphatic enough: Call up your local presenter. You need to see this.” – Fjord Review

A study in intimacy, House of Matter examines the houses in which we belong – both the families that we are born into and those that we choose. Through vulnerable autobiographical narrative the performers unpack the complexity of their lived identities and give voice to the hidden and silenced narratives of the body. Featuring all Original Music by Valerie Troutt and her live House Ensemble MoonCandy.