This page contains a selection of images, videos and writing about my work. If you need further information, please contact me at aleashachaunte@gmail.com
Out of the Narrow Place: A ritual for black descendants of slaves
Show program: pdf (scroll to read)
Collaborations
Testimonials and Statements of Interest
"I write in support of your application for Developing Your Creative Practice. The Unity, Liverpool, has benefited from your creative work for several years now, including a piece you started to develop with us as part of our Open Call, entitled, ‘Out of the Narrow Place’. Your work not only resonates with audiences throughout Merseyside, it actively encourages them to seek an understanding between one another and the way in which we function.
It is interesting to note the eclectic nature of form that are embodied in your work. This sets you apart in Liverpool. Form and content that could alienate in the hands of others are carefully woven to stimulate an understanding and provoke conversation.
We certainly believe that you are an artist worth investing in, having done so ourselves at Unity. Your vision aligns with Unity’s to present and support high quality creative encounters that challenge the status quo and we look forward to working with you on future projects as they develop.
Gordon Millar
CEO / Artistic Director Unity Theatre
"Out of the Narrow Place gives a voice – a personal, human voice – to part of recent history, bringing its impact to life in the present. A thought-provoking piece of work delivered with warmth and technical skill; this is worth experiencing should the opportunity arise again."
Ezzy LaBelle 5 star Review North West End
"I was able to view Aleasha's latest performance as an online audience member after I was unable to make the in-person event. The work brought together a group of local black women to share their place at the table. The tales and anecdotes that Aleasha brought together, referencing myths, elements of meditation, and singing, made a profound impact on me. I was aware that Aleasha was researching her own heritage as part of this project and I was particularly impressed with how she navigated this subject matter to create an experience of joy.
The piece made me smile, laugh and cry in equal measure and it was through Aleasha's amazing ability to create a blend of ritual, performance, and raw emotional storytelling that keeps me wanting to see more of her work. I hope that there is more of this project to come and that more people get to share the experience. It was the most inspiring and important piece of theatre I have ever experienced on the subject of race and social justice.
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Jenny Porter
Director Metal Liverpool
"Having known you for a long time and observed the different ways you have supported, researched and manifested the work you do it gave me an appetite to want to get into a space and do some work with you. I feel you have a real sensibility around improvisation and performance.
Your voice is extraordinary. In the array of different songs you have sung, I hear that you have a great deal of plasticity in the style, performance intention and genres you work with."
Jo Blowers
Liverpool Improvisation Collective and mentor/collaborator in this project's research phase
‘I have worked with Aleasha Chaunte on a number of occasions over the last two years. I have found her to have an intelligent and considered approach to project management and to be an articulate, reliable and consistent deliverer of quality activities. I am in no doubt whatsoever that the proposed project will engage, energise and be of great value to those involved and that it will be delivered very successfully by Aleasha and her project partners.’
Sean Durney
Arts Development Officer at Liverpool City Council
Culture Liverpool
I feel that given the complexity of the experience of loss and healing, hand washing is a beautifully simple act to stimulate reflection on those concepts and anchor it in a real physical experience. It also feels like quite an accessible piece that I expect will engage the minds not just of those participating but also watching. I think it will resonate with the very broad LightNight audience - people of many different age groups and backgrounds.
Christina Grogan
Open Culture Director & Light Night Producer speaking about my research event during Light Night 2016
The quality of Aleasha’s research into particular areas of anthropological and cultural performance practice and her own field work in the rehearsal room seeking to gain an understanding of and re-balance her own encultured psychological/emotional and muscular processes was exemplary.
In addition she revealed both sensitivity and rigor producing some remarkable insights and manifestations her through her MA practice.
Gabriel Gawin
Song of the Goat Co-Founder
Fallen Angels Dance Theatre’s Liverpool group has been thrilled to participate in the research of the Handless Project. Aleasha has been so generous with her time and approach with the group, going above and beyond to ensure they feel included in the project and different aspects. One beneficiary wrote a blog entry on the workshop she delivered for the group: https://risendance.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/hand-to-mouth/ siting the workshop as "It really was a sublime experience."
There is a synergy with Fallen Angels practice which leads to a natural collaboration with themes such as overcoming and adversity coming through.
Claire Morris
Charity Manager
Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
I have only known Aleasha for a short time, but her impact on me was massive from both a personal level and professional, I first meet her during a session she delivered as part of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival around immigrants and their stories. She was a great facilitator in drawing individuals to share their stories without feeling threatened. With this in mind I invited Aleasha to facilitate a session with some of the women I work with within the BME communities. I was a bit hesitant about how it would go as we haven’t done this before, but the outcome was very positive and I am hoping to develop this further and one way is by getting involved in the Handless Project.
Savera UK is a charity tackling domestic abuse and harmful practices, Savera UK want to provide the women with a range of ways to express themselves and build confidence and self-esteem and the Handless Project would offer a great opportunity for those women who are isolated from their family community and society, because of being a victim of domestic abuse, Honour based Violence, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation. Savera UK fully support this fantastic project.
Afrah Qassim
Director Savera UK
Aleasha Chaunte is the kind of artist with integrity that we all need to support. She deeply believes in what she does, only supporting projects she’s passionate about and works tirelessly to ensure her project has the depth it needs.
Montserrat Gili
Creative Director
Hope St Ltd.
I first discovered Aleasha’s work quite by accident last Light Night, in a performance at the Lady Chapel in Liverpool. I was struck by the work’s quiet beauty, and its clear resonance with audience. Through subsequent discussions with Aleasha about The Handless Maiden we discovered a range of synergies with Unity’s current programme. Initially that led to Aleasha being one of the three artists invited to provide a Call and Response to our major Autumn project Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone, and in May we plan to play a key role in realising the next stage of The Handless Maiden for Light Night 2017.
Part inspired by the work of Adrian Henri (as part of the Mersey poets celebration) are loose theme for Light Night 2017 is Happenings. Aleasha’s City Wide Ritual Walk fits strongly with that in so many ways – rituals were a key part of Henri’s work, as was a focus on looking at the city differently, and the way Aleasha’s walk draws on a range of art forms is very much in the spirit of happenings.
I whole heartedly recommend both Aleasha and this work to you.
Matthew Linley
Former Artistic Director of Unity Theatre
Unity Theatre
The Handless Project is an emotive piece that really pulled on my heart string, I have never felt so emotional about an art work, that not only captures art but touches on so many of your senses. Opens up your heart to be open of others but also open to yourself
Ngunan Adamu
Producer/Presenter Upfront Show
BBC Radio Merseyside
Story Map and Audio from The Handless Project
20 minute soundscape including sound from interviews and events collected during the project including a rally with 30,000 people on the steps of St Georges Hall to acknowledge the verdict of unlawful killing in the Hillsborough enquiry. Played to 1000 of people during a ritual at Liverpool Cathedral, Light Night 2017 on the eve of our 36 hour walking ritual.
