Kimmy and Chancz
Cleveland, OH + Regina, SASK
Kimmy Kat- A multi-talented Black, Trans Artist from Cleveland, Ohio. Kimmy is a Singer Songwriter, Dancer, Drag Queen and Actor. Kimmy has been Song-writing since she was 13, Leaning on that skill as a way of rewriting her chaotic reality and making physical situations playful. The foundation of her work is connected to her musical background. Musical theatre and Dance became a big part of her child life. She later found her voice through Solo music and Drag Performance. She is currently working on her first album with Producer Greg “Ghostly” Houston. The album projects a stimulating chimeric world that shows a vulnerable place in her sense of self. She values emotion and dreamlike ideas when in a creative ecosystem making partnership with Co-artist Chancz Perry a delight! Kimmy is Happy For the opportunity to be a part of the Social Distance Festival.
Aside from spending his time in graduate studies exploring the utility in art therapy programming, Chancz has spent over 30 years in the entertainment industry – on stage, screen, and behind the scenes. This multifaceted producer, choreographer, and triple-threat performer was nominated for two Jessie Richardson Awards and the recipient of the Vancouver Sun Reader’s Choice Award for Entertainer of the Year. Some film and theatre credits include Mr. Magoo, Bye Bye Birdie, Charlie Horse Music Pizza, West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, Five Guys Named Moe, Hip Hop Hoop Dance, and the Gabriel Dumont Wild West Show.
While continuing his practice as an interdisciplinary artist, Chancz has been an Artist in Residence in Regina Public Schools and a sessional instructor at the University of Regina (Media, Arts, and Performance Department; Kinesiology and Health Studies Department). He also carried several positions at Globe Theatre where he was the Educational Outreach facilitator who helped to bring creation-based theatre programming into marginalized schools and community organizations; the Shumiatcher Sandbox Series coordinator who helped local artists and production teams to platform theatrical creations; and a Theatre School Faculty specializing in creative expression with children of various ages.
Chancz’s purpose is to bring communities together through art, entertainment, culture, and ways of knowing. In his performances, Chancz offers inspiration, distraction and/or education, using approaches that are traditional, progressive, critical, or a mix. “I hope people take away an extraordinary artistic ability that inspires them to pursue their creative endeavours and natural impulses. I want them to realize that they can have success in pursuing their dreams.”
Website: https://www.chanczperry.ca;
Video Biography - https://vimeo.com/219529027
