Theatre Nobody
Co-MISSION Artist-in-Residence

Kevin Michael Wesson (he/they) is a proudly unrepresented puppeteer/playwright based in Chicago. Originally from Tampa, FL, he received a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of South Florida. He is an artistic associate of the Chicago-based puppet theatre company, Rough House Theater, a founding ensemble member of the performance art company, Stop Motion Plant, and an ensemble member of the physical theatre company, Theater Unspeakable, and the voice of the experimental free theatre company, Theatre Nobody.

Co-MISSION Artist-in-Residence

Amanda Maraist is a movement deviser + improviser from the Texas Gulf Coast and co-directs bim bom studios. Her movement work exists as both dance-making and physicalized space-making towards supporting a holistic performance and movement community. Through authentic movement practices and meticulously rendered improvisational scores, she engages in playful, process-forward work with a do-it-together demeanor.

Co-MISSION Artist-in-Residence

Dani Oblitas (she/they) is a dance artist and educator currently based in Chicago, IL. With an emphasis in choreography, Dani graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in Dance and Environmental Studies. She is passionate about making movement accessible to all, and views dance as a life affirming act of both community cultivation and individual embodiment. Dani has collaborated on a dance film for the UW Madison P.O.W.E.R. Collective CYPHER for Restorative Justice that was featured in the 2023 Short Stack Film Festival and is a choreographer for the One Hour Project in 2024. They have additionally danced with Liz Sexe Dance, KLJ Movement, We Are Collective, 773 Dance Project, Helen Lee, Sildance/Acrodanza, and Albany Park Theater Project’s Port of Entry. Currently, she is a Teaching Artist for NorthShore Elite Talent, Simantikos, IdeaBox Integrated Arts and a Teaching Artist Mentor with ArtsXChange. Dani is currently completing the Spiral Body Techniques® teacher certification with Molly Shanahan.

Co-MISSION Artist-in-Residence

Selena Lasley (She/They) is a Chicago based artist originally from D.C and Temple Hills, Maryland. They are a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Acting (2019). Selena also studied Modern, West African, Vogue Aesthetics, and Improvisation. This will be their first residency at Links Hall.

JAQUANDA & JACINDA
Co-MISSION Fellow-in-Residence

Executive Director & Co Lead Creative, Jaquanda Saulter-Villegas is a Fly Girl Chicagoan by way of South Carolina, Jaquanda is one of the three Founders, and a Co-Creative Lead of Kuumba Lynx (KL) (Arts/ Education Organization). She has been engaging youth and their families in Hip Hop Arts Activism and Culturally Relevant programming for 25 years. Jaquanda get’s FREE as an Arts Educator, Mentor, Yoga Instructor, Shamanic Reiki Healer, Performance Artist, Arts Administrator, International Peace Movement Honorary Ambassador, and Hip Hop Theater Director. As a healer Jaquanda is dedicated to holding space for community to address harm, break generational curses, and interrupting systematic sabotage by re-engaging in indigenous and african healing practices.

JAQUANDA & JACINDA
Co-MISSION Fellow-in-Residence

Jacinda Bullie (aka Jah da Amp Mouth) is an instigating art maker, creative activator, and practicing heart soother. This sage burning Muslim seeks to practice gratitude & presence. Jacinda likes to write, perform, paint, talk story, move and engage in radical love play. She is a Hip Hop Theater producer, host, arts facilitator & manager who finds freedom in remembering that she is simply a spiritual being having an earthly experience.

Co-MISSION Fellow-in-Residence

Tuli Bera is a Bengali American movement artist. They draw from various styles of dance: Indian folk and classical forms, classical and contemporary ballet, modern, aerial dance, and improvisation. Bera has collaborated and performed with various companies and individual artists: Ayako Kato, Aerial Dance Chicago, Ishti Collective, Ashwaty Chennat, Cristal Sabbagh's Freedom From and Freedom To, and Darling Squire. Beyond performance, they support independent artists as a producer for dance and teach ballet and aerial dance for all ages.