ARTIST LAB
CREATIVE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hi-ARTS ARTIST LAB is a workshop series designed to equip our community with skills and knowledge that support their creative growth and career development.
Whether you are an emerging artist, an aspiring professional, or simply exploring new artistic practices, there is an ARTIST LAB for you. Led by working artists and industry professionals, each session offers a practical and hands-on learning experience.
In addition to refining creative techniques, ARTIST LAB offers guidance on essential career-building skills such as marketing, pitching, and navigating the arts industry. Each session is crafted to help artists sustain and expand their practice while fostering connections within the Hi-ARTS community.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your craft, gain new perspectives, or strengthen the business side of your artistry, the ARTIST LAB Series is here to support your journey. Learn more below and step into the lab today.
ARTIST LAB Workshops
The Well-Rounded Filmmaker
with Director Brandi Webb
Looking to make your first film or video project, but not sure where to begin? The Well-Rounded Filmmaker is for you.
The Well-Rounded Filmmaker is designed for anyone interested in producing video content, from first-time filmmakers and content creators, to those who have always wanted to explore filmmaking but never had the opportunity. Participants will receive practical insights to every stage of film production, including writing, directing, producing, and shooting a short film using accessible resources.
This workshop provides a practical glimpse into the filmmaking process, equipping creators with the foundational skills to bring their ideas to life while learning to adapt to budgetary and logistical challenges without compromising their vision.
Participants should bring a laptop or iPad/tablet, and a phone with a working video camera. It is recommended to make sure that the phone has space to capture and store video. Participants without laptops/tables are still welcome to participate.
March 13, 4-8pm
4-8 pm | Hi-ARTS Studio
Enrollment: $20
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Director Brandi Webb (she/her) is a visionary filmmaker, writer, and director known for her bold storytelling and resourceful approach to filmmaking. Her journey began as a young girl with dreams of acting, which evolved into writing, directing, and producing for both stage and screen. In her teens, she made her debut as a playwright, producer, and director with her Off-Broadway stage play Yet to Evolve in Times Square in New York City, which gained significant attention and was featured on Bronx 12 News. The success of the production led her to establish her own theater and film company of the same name.
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Brandi has built a reputation as a producer who can attain the seemingly unattainable. Her ambitious nature and out-of-the-box mentality allow her to navigate challenges and bring productions to life with efficiency and ingenuity. As a director, she is recognized for her strong visual eye, skill in blocking, and camera composition, ensuring that each frame tells a story with depth and emotionBrandi’s professionalism stems from her early experiences as an actor, where she learned industry ethics such as discipline, preparedness, and respect for the craft. These principles have carried into her career as a filmmaker, setting the tone for every project she undertakes.
Brandi Webb holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts and Communication from Clark Atlanta University and an Associate’s Degree in Theatre Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Through her work, she continues to push creative boundaries, amplifying underrepresented voices and crafting stories that inspire, challenge, and activate.
Image courtesy of Director Brandi Webb
Acting: Breaking Mental Barriers
with Trina Asiedu
Looking to deepen your performances and break free from self-imposed limitations? Acting: Breaking Mental Barriers is for you.
This interactive workshop is designed for actors of all levels, whether you work in film, TV, or theatre, or are preparing for casting opportunities. Through dynamic exercises and guided exploration, participants will learn to connect authentically with their characters, unlock multidimensional portrayals, and embrace bold choices that push beyond conventional acting formulas.
This workshop challenges actors to expand their creative instincts, explore private moments and inner dialogue, and develop mental and emotional flexibility to adapt in real time. By stepping outside their comfort zones, participants will build confidence in their craft and strengthen their ability to deliver compelling, truthful performances.
Participants should bring a prepared one-minute monologue, a notepad, pen or pencil, comfortable clothing for movement, and snacks.
Thursday, April 10
4-8 pm | Hi-ARTS Studio
Enrollment: $20
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Trina Asiedu is a multi-talented artist whose passion for the performing arts spans acting, directing, producing, and even teaching Zumba. With a diverse career in plays, commercials, and film, Trina has honed her craft both in front of and behind the camera. As an actress, she brings a unique energy to every role, drawing from her deep understanding of storytelling and performance. Her love for directing and producing is matched only by her commitment to nurturing others in the industry, having written and directed her own short films that showcase her creative vision and innovative approach.
Trina's journey in the arts has been deeply personal, as she has overcome her own mental barriers to reach new heights in her craft. She believes that breaking through personal limitations is key to unlocking true artistic potential, a lesson she carries into her work. Whether working on set with independent filmmakers or coaching actors to embrace their authenticity, Trina is dedicated to guiding others toward bringing their most genuine selves to their performances.
In addition to her film and theater work, Trina is also a certified Zumba instructor, which reflects her belief in the importance of movement and energy in both life and art. By encouraging others to explore and connect with their own authenticity, Trina has become a trusted mentor for actors looking to push their boundaries and deepen their creative expression. She’s passionate about fostering an environment where performers can fully embrace their craft, and she is continuously inspired by the transformation that comes when actors break free from self-imposed limitations.
Putting Words to Your Art
with Robyn Ayers
Have you struggled with writing about yourself and your art? This workshop guides you through the process of creating and editing written materials for application and audition season.
Putting Words to Your Art is an experiential learning workshop led by Robyn Ayers, geared towards emerging and early-career artists. This workshop will guide artists through generating and editing written materials in advance of application and audition season. At the conclusion, participants will have completed a biography, artist statement, and project proposal.
Robyn leverages the intersection of their experiences as a performer, grant writer, producer, and art administrator to facilitate the development of both creative and practical written materials for artists. Participants can expect experiential learning methodology that utilizes solo prompts, group brainstorming activities, individual coaching, and an editing process.
Participants should bring a personal laptop or other means of drafting/editing written work (pen and paper, tablet, etc.). All other materials will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring pre-existing drafts of written materials, but may also come to start from scratch.
Thursday, May 8
4-7pm | Hi-ARTS Studio
Enrollment: $20
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Robyn Ayers (they/them) is a movement artist and facilitator living on occupied Lenape land / New York City. They hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fordham University and The Ailey School, with majors in Dance and philosophy. As a performer, Robyn moves through the worlds of formal stage production, site-specific installation, and film; wandering the intersection between classical modern, and gestural contemporary impulse.
Beyond the stage, Robyn works in instructional design, event production, and arts administration. They design and facilitate experiential learning sessions geared towards young professionals, nurturing an honest and playful love of their creative practice. Their primary goal is to interrupt the teacher/student hierarchy, instead leaning into question-based coaching that supports artists in making informed decisions about their careers.
Image by Whitney Browne
The Block Party
with Cheri L. Stokes
Get your dancing shoes on! Explore the vibrant history of dance through the lens of 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop culture in New York City. Celebrate the roots of Hip-Hop while fostering a sense of community, creativity, and cultural appreciation.
This interactive and engaging workshop explores the vibrant history of social vernacular dance through the lens of 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop culture in New York City. Designed to bring together participants of all ages, the session celebrates the roots of Hip-Hop while fostering a sense of community, creativity, and cultural appreciation.
Participants will engage in a timeline history of Hip-Hop’s evolution and its impact on social dance culture through movement. Through hands-on learning of choreograph storytelling inspired by class Hip-Hop moves, this interactive and nostalgic workshop will bring elements of the 80s and 90s block parties to life including music, dance, and communal celebration.
Please wear comfortable clothing to move in, 90s theme attire is suggested! Don’t forget to bring water!
Cheri L. Stokes is a 2024 Hi-ARTS SKY LAB Artist Alumn. While in residence she concentrated on the development of Around the Way Gurl: The Block Party.
Thursday, June 12
5-8pm | Hi-ARTS Studio
Enrollment: $20
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Cheri L. Stokes (sh/her), a Brooklyn, NY native, is a choreographer, performer, educator, and arts administrator whose work centers on the intersections of Hip-Hop culture, African diaspora movement styles, and community-centered storytelling. She holds an MFA. in Choreography and Performance from Florida State University (2017) and a BA in Dance Studies with a K-12 North Carolina Dance Teaching Licensure from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2005). Her performance background spans West African, Afro-Contemporary, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop dance forms. Through her choreographic research, Cheri investigates how social vernacular dance forms—particularly Hip-Hop and Dancehall—shape her contemporary practice and artistic voice.
Cheri is the recipient of numerous prestigious residencies and grants, including the Stephen Petronio Retreat and Restore Dance Residency (2021), the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) Space Grant Residency (2023), the Hi-ARTS CRITICAL BREAKS Artist Residency (2024), and the BAX Artist-in-Residence (2024/2025). Her work has been supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Support for Artists Grant (2024) and The MAP Fund (2024). Excerpts of her latest work, Da Block, have been presented at the MODArts Collective Thread Festival (2021) and SummerStage at Crotona Park (2022).
With over a decade of experience in dance education and arts administration, Cheri has served as a guest teaching artist at institutions such as Florida State University, Austin Peay State University, Elon University, Western Kentucky University, the University of Tampa, Bard College, and the University at Buffalo. She is part of the Urban Bush Women (UBW) family, where she served as the Associate Producer of Special Projects (2017-2025) and was a UBW Choreographic Center Producing Fellow (2023).