RELEASE: KST’s Freshworks Residency Program Invests in Pittsburgh’s Emerging Artists
Barbershop Talk by Yusef Shelton (Ys1) and Heavy Is The Crown by Arnita Simone Honor Black History and Culture Through Music and Dance
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is thrilled to support performances in progress from local artists through the theater’s ten-week Freshworks residency program. In the program’s 11th year, KST will present two shows: Yusef Shelton (Ys1)’s Barbershop Talk on Friday & Saturday, October 4 – 5, at 7:30 pm, transports the audience into the heart of Black barbershop culture with music. On Friday & Saturday, November 1 – 2, at 7:30 pm, Arnita Simone’s Heavy Is The Crown honors the beauty of Black hair and the Black diaspora through dance. Immediately after each performance, the audience is encouraged to respond to the work and share feedback with the artists at a post-show discussion.
Each season, KST incubates two Freshworks performances by artists based in the greater Pittsburgh region. The theater provides artists with planning support and guidance, studio space, production staff, lighting and sound design, an honorarium, and a resource budget. In weekly meetings, artists exchange ideas with KST’s Programming team and receive administrative and technical support across various departments. Facilitating a space for the first iteration of the artist’s project to develop as they collaborate with others is at the heart of the program.
Ys1 and Simone learned about Freshworks through their past engagement with KST’s programs and felt drawn to apply. Ys1 previously participated in Fully Expressed: The Lyricist’s Journey (2022) as a Hip-hop artist. Simone has been a teaching artist for the Adult Jazz Heels class at KST’s Alloy Studios in partnership with PearlArts and has also collaborated with Fall 2023 Freshworks artist Andraya Rand-Mathis. Ys1 and Simone have grown creatively inside the KST community over the years and are now bringing their ideas and experiences to the next level.
“After working with both Ys1 and Arnita Simone in various capacities over the past two years, as a next step in our relationship and their career trajectory, the residency allows for a more focused developmental period towards building a new production, which the artist can continue to incubate on their own or in collaboration with KST following the residency. The program helps lay out the steps towards a sustainable career,” said Ben Pryor, Programming Director at KST.
The 2024-2025 Freshworks application cycle attracted a record number of applicants, marking the most interest KST has seen since the program’s inception in 2013. Recent Freshworks artists have explored themes like internet culture, self-care, and ancestral memory. This season, KST is pleased to present two new works by Ys1 and Arnita Simone that coincidently complement each other and reflect on aspects and histories of Black hair culture in different artistic forms.
Yusef Shelton (Ys1), Photo by Tosin Adebayo
Barbershops have long been centers of economic prosperity and societal transformation, serving as safe havens for Black folks and homes for the early hip-hop scene. Through original live music, spoken word, and dance, Barbershop Talk by Ys1 immerses the audience in Black barbershop culture, bringing to life the candid conversations and shared experiences that make these spaces transformative.
Arnita Simone, Photo by Jenna Taddeo
Heavy Is The Crown is a celebration of African American culture and the beauty of the Black diaspora. In this contemporary dance performance in progress, Arnita Simone explores the interconnected, sacred histories of Black hair traditions, honoring them while educating audiences about the fascinating origins and revolutionary applications of these styles.
KST’s Programming Manager Sarah Gilmer facilitates the program: “Both performances honor Black culture, specifically relating to hair, and invite audiences to engage with some of the rich histories and communal practices that shape the Black experience. I’m excited for us to explore and celebrate the strength, identity, and vulnerability brought forth in these new works by artists from Pittsburgh.”
KST remains committed to fostering creative experimentation and supporting emerging artists. We look forward to introducing Ys1 and Arnita Simone’s powerful new works to our community.
Freshworks: Yusef Shelton (Ys1), Barbershop Talk
Friday & Saturday, October 4 – 5, 2024 | 7:30pm – 9:00pm (including discussion)
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
Tickets for Barbershop Talk are available on a sliding scale, from $15 to $30 per attendee, and can be purchased at kelly-strayhorn.org or at the door.
Freshworks: Arnita Simone, Heavy Is The Crown
Friday & Saturday, November 1 – 2, 2024 | 7:30pm – 9:00pm (including discussion)
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
Tickets for Heavy Is The Crown are available on a sliding scale, from $15 to $30 per attendee, and can be purchased at kelly-strayhorn.org or at the door.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Yusef Shelton (Ys1) is a multidisciplinary artist known for his innovative blend of music, storytelling, and visual aesthetics. With a passion for exploring cultural narratives, Ys1 creates immersive experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. From humble beginnings, Ys1 has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Mellon University and the August Wilson Center. He recently launched his merchandise line, “Da First,” and his new album Ignite, which showcases his boundary-pushing resilience and commitment to purpose-driven art.
Arnita Simone is a choreographer, and creative director from Pittsburgh. After earning a Psychology degree from Clarion University in 2019, she pursued the arts, holding positions such as teaching artist for Propel Schools, Manager of Residential Programs for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and dance instructor for various studios, including KST’s Alloy Studios. Inspired by the human psyche, history, and cultural influences, her mission is to express through movement and art the unspoken and often overlooked nuances of life. She aims to leave her audience with new insights and perspectives.
ABOUT FRESHWORKS
Freshworks is KST’s creative residency for artists and collaborators based in the greater Pittsburgh region. Freshworks made its debut in 2013 and supports playful exploration in performance through interdisciplinary work in contemporary dance, theater, music, and multimedia.
The program provides artists with planning support and guidance, studio space, production staff, lighting and sound design, a stipend and resource budget, and encouragement for creative risk taking. Artists are invited to apply either as an individual or as a collaborative group.
ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER
Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices.
KST is an institutional arts anchor in Pittsburgh’s East End that has served the community for more than two decades. Since launching KST Presents programming in ’08, KST has been Black-led, fostering radical imagination for Black and queer arts, culture, and community in Pittsburgh by cultivating BIPOC and/or queer artists, entrepreneurs, and arts administrators, developing their careers, and shifting narratives around Black possibility.