‘Round the Way Girl!
A performing artist, choreographer, scholar, and educator, Cheri’ L. Stokes‘ expertise includes over ten years of dance education and arts administration. Cheri has been a guest teaching artist at various institutions including, The Florida State University, Austin Peay State University, Elon University, Western Kentucky University, University of Tampa, Bard College, and The University At Buffalo. She was the recipient of the Stephen Petronio RETREAT & RESTORE Residency for Dance Artists (Spring 2021). Additionally she’s received the Brooklyn Arts Exchange Space Grant Residency (2023), Brooklyn Arts Exchange Artist in Residence (2024/2025), Hi- Arts Critical Breaks Artist in Residence (Spring 2024), the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Support for Artists Grant (2024), and the 2024 MAP Fund Grant for the development of her newest work “Around the Way Gurl”. Excerpts of her latest work, “Da Block” was featured in the MODarts Collective Thread Festival (2021) and SummerStage at Crotona Park (2022).
With a movement style that spans the African diaspora, from West African dance forms to Hip-Hop, Cheri’s research and choreographic viewpoint examines intergenerational movement aesthetics, innate movement patterns, and community dancing. The work is process driven with a focus on research and development and deeply drawn to investigating the past to shape the present (and beyond), and create a movement language that represents embodied experiences and histories while offering an opportunity to lend voice as a storyteller. BIPOC women/womxn have unique stories and perspectives that are too often undertold. Cheri aims to contribute to the ever shifting canon of dance, and encourages others to step forward and share their stories. Cheri is part of the Urban Bush Women organization serving as the Associate Producer of Special Projects.
