Reynaldo Piniella (he/him) is an actor, writer, activist and educator from East New York, Brooklyn. As a CRITICAL BREAKS Resident, Reynaldo is continuing the development of his WORK IN PROCESS Afroborinqueño.

CRITICAL BREAKS Artist Andrea Ambam (she/her) is a storyteller and truthteller whose roots sprout from Cameroon. As a politically-engaged performance artist and writer who believes in the art’s potential for movement-building and transformative justice, Andrea puts narrative to use – creating theatrical experiences that world bend and record truth.

During her time in residence she will continue the development of TWELVE ANGRY BLACK WOMEN, a Black feminist re-interpretation of Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men wherein the United States of America is on trial and its fate lies in the hands of an all Black, all femme 

Evelyn Tejeda (she/her), originally from the Dominican Republic, is a Dominicana's Got Talent Semifinalist and a Founding Member of the Contemporary Dance National Company of the Dominican Republic, directed by Marianela Boan. During her time in residence as a CRITICAL BREAKS Artist, she will continue the development of Temporary Flesh.

As a CRITICAL BREAKS Artist in Residence, Jay’s will continue the development of Spirit in the Vine: A Sankopera.  Spirit in the Vine: A Sankopera takes place in the mythic realm of Zaradús, drawing direct inspiration from the African-American folktale High John and Devil’s Daughter while expanding its lore. The story begins when a wise woman creates a baby of extraordinary magical ability for the childless rulers. Their joy, however, is darkened when the High Queen is suddenly murdered.

Alle Mims (they/them) is a Black, biracial genderfluid artist living in NYC. They are a cultural archeologist and political satirist who writes about Black, Queer, and Radical History.

As a CRITICAL BREAKS Artist, Alle will continue the development of A Soviet Film on Negro Life in America. A Soviet Film on Negro Life in America ​​is a satirical history play that uses masks and puppets to tell the unbelievable true story of the Soviet Film that almost changed the world.

While in residence, Cheri will work on the development of Around the Way Gurl, a movement investigation that highlights and celebrates the cultural significance and the contributions of women in Bed-Stuy have made to Brooklyn and HipHop culture during the 1980s and 90s.

While in residence at Hi-ARTS, Curtis will continue the development of and addition of choreography to Homenaje a los Rumberos. Homenaje a los Rumberos is an original music composition that pays homage to the rich legacy of traditional Afro-Cuban Rumberos and serves as a heartfelt tribute to Rumbero's living and past.

During their time in residence, Charlene will continue the development of BRICKS, a new funk-rock musical about family legacy, a mom, her daughter, and the ancestors that preceded them. BRICKS is currently being developed in part with support by Hi-ARTS' CRITICAL BREAKS, a residency program for artists who are in a pivotal phase of developing new work in partnership with En Garde Arts, an artist-centric organization supporting artists in the development and production of new work.

SoHumanity is a collaborative duo between Tanya Birl-Torres and Sasha Hutchings. During their time in residence, they will continue the development of A Play in 3 Movements, an immersive and ritualized choreo-play that explores how autoimmunity is an expression of non-consent to a diseased system.

As a polymedia artist, Zane focuses on publicly-engaging work addressing decolonization, the intersection of traditional and contemporary music, and ideas of transcendence. He performs and composes with electro-acoustic instruments, videos, and found/re-purposed instruments.