Amirah Sackett
the evolution of the movement
We’re Muslim
Don’t Panic
Amirah believes her art and identity as both Muslim and American, has the power to build bridges between communities fostering mutual understanding, increased knowledge, awareness, and unity. She uses her voice to fearlessly combat negative stereotypes about Muslim women, and educate communities with little or no contact with their fellow Muslim Americans. She believes hip-hop, as a medium, to be a transformative art form, both for the audience and practitioners.
experiential
Services
PACKAGE ONE
Performance
Amirah gives a lecture about misconceptions about Islam and Muslim women. She shares her personal experiences participating in hip-hop culture, and the reasons she melded her Muslim and American identities together in her performances. Amirah then performs her signature solo works, using original sound design by Chicago musician and DJ, Nevin S. Hersch, and the poetry of Rumi. The evening ends with a Q&A discussion with the audience.
package two
Workshop
Amirah teaches an action packed movement workshop exploring foundational styles of hip-hop including: top rocking, breaking, popping, and tutting. Participants develop a better understanding and appreciation for hip-hop history and culture.
Performance
Amirah gives a lecture about misconceptions about Islam and Muslim women. She shares her personal experiences participating in hip-hop culture, and the reasons she melded her Muslim and American identities together in her performances. Amirah then performs her signature solo works, using original sound design by Chicago musician and DJ, Nevin S. Hersch, and the poetry of Rumi. The evening ends with a Q&A discussion with the audience.
package three
Full or Partial Teaching and Performance Residency
Amirah can work with presenters to custom build a schedule of events in their community. This can include master classes in hip-hop movement, lecture- demonstrations, classroom lectures on her Muslim American identity and artistry, community outreach activities, and ends in performance. A residency can be 3-5 days, or as long as two weeks, depending on interest and availability. Amirah finds a residency the best way to engage with the community and make the biggest impact on her visit. For descriptions of the performance and workshop, see Package 2.
package four
Creative Choreography Residency
Amirah will set original choreography on local dancers or students, culminating in a public performance. This residency requires daily rehearsals and needs to to be one week or longer. Amirah is especially skilled at using the talents of the dancers combined with her hip-hop dance vocabulary to create dynamic, original work. During that time Amirah can do master classes, and classroom visits as time permits. The new choreography will debut along with Amirah’s performance as described in Package 2. This creative residency bonds dancers together and creates a lasting impression and dance piece that can be performed in the community long after Amirah leaves.
