ABOUt
the mission
Psychopomp is a diverse group of makers and dance artists that create dance theater works and host movement workshops. The core group of artists in Psychopomp includes five to six performing artists in addition to Shenandoah Harris and her collaborator Ryan Howard who assists in the production of all of Psychopomp’s work. Psychopomp creates and shares the Jewish way, battling erasure and rebelling against universal conforming belief systems, making space for the Jewish perspective and all historically excluded viewpoints. In Miss Harris’s work she invokes her cultural and ancestral practices of Talmudic study, acting in Chevruta (partnership), making accessible spaces for everyone to participate in the creation, appreciation and discourse of dance. The movement style is rooted in complex floorwork, powerful acrobatic Parkour movements and draws spaciously powerful traveling modern dance techniques. Psychopomp explores identity, morality, and questions our place in the world. The work is highly narrative, drawing inspiration from Jewish mythology along with Rabbinic and wider cultural commentary. We compare these formative stories cross-culturally, working to recontextualize them into modernity.
artistic Director
Shenandoah Harris is the Artistic Director of Psychopomp Dance Theater. Miss Harris has been a Curriculum in Motion Fellow with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, an artist in residence with MashUp Dance Company, Terra Nova LA and Highways Performance Space. Additionally Miss Harris toured nationally as a performer and teaching artist with Diavolo: Architecture in Motion. Miss Harris has been a guest lecturer across California including UC Santa Barbara and CSU Fullerton and on the faculty at Genesis LA. She continues to host numerous Los Angeles based contemporary movement, acrobatic skills and creation workshops in conjunction with Psychopomp. Miss Harris has also hosted several community based movement programs with local Angelenos in the jewish community and beyond.
Under her leadership the company has self produced numerous shows including performances at Highways Performance Space, Stomping Ground LA and Diavolo Dance Studio Theater. Psychopomp Dance has performed across numerous stages in California. Most recently, the company’s work has been presented live at Lighting in a Bottle Music Festival 2022 on the main Thunder Stage, with Heidi Duckler Dance at the Baldwin City Scenic Overlook, Live with UCSB Percussion Ensemble, At the Brand Library in Glendale, in Seattle Washington at the Yaw Theater. Upcoming Shenandoah will be in residence at Keshet Makers Space in New Mexico and the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center.
Miss Harris hosted Psychopomp’s third annual Summer Creation Workshop this past August 2023. The workshop drew dancers from across California for three days of intense creation, culminating in a sold out performance of a new work. In addition to the summer workshop, Shenandoah also produced a two weekend multidisciplinary dance festival at HIghways performance Space entitled CHAOS! In 2023 and will be returning for a second year this august 2024.
Miss Harris is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Nutritionist. Her work as a fitness and health practitioner is a key element in her philosophy of creating positive learning and work environments for dancers to thrive in.
Production DESIGNER
Ryan Howard is the production designer and artistic advisor for psychopomp dance theater. He designs all costuming and props as well as advises on dramaturgy of the movement.
Ryan was born and raised in Buellton, California and has a degree in Theater Production and Design from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He now works and lives in Los Angeles as an Artist and designer. Currently, Ryan is a prop artisan for Universal Studios Hollywood and in the past has worked with Center Theater Group as a Prop Carpenter and Theater Technician. His work has been seen onstage at the Ahmanson Theater, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Kirk Douglas Theater. His current artistic adventure is exploring the world of analog film, in both still and motion picture formats.