Today we’d like to introduce you to Maia Maiden. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Award-winning Maia Maiden Productions is a BIPOC and Women-led independent Twin Cities-based performing arts presenter. Our foundation is Hip-Hop. Our mission is to provide an equitable and engaging platform for Hip Hop, BIPOC, youth, and women through performing arts. Established in 2009, the MMP team includes Maia Maiden (Curator and Director), Ashuna Moore (Production Manager), and Corina Seuasoukseng (Media Producer).
Maia aka Rah Fyah is a South Minneapolis native and has been a leader in the dance community for over 20 years. Representing Hip Hop culture, Maiden’s background includes dancers and choreographers. She has served on numerous fellowship/grant panels, and boards and has been recognized with many honors. She is also the Director of Arts Learning and Community Engagement at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Ashuna, Kent State graduate and MN Sage Dance Award nominee joined MMP in 2014- building excellent artist relationships and savvy marketing strategies. Corina, a multidisciplinary Lao-American artist, and MN Sage Dance Award nominee, also joined MMP in 2004-creating outstanding videography and signature photography looks.
MMPs flagship presentations include ROOTED: Hip-Hop Choreographers’ Evening, Sistah Solo| Being Brothas, and premiering June 9-11, 2023-The SOTA Movement: Minnesota’s Street Dance Festival.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When MMP became a presenting organization in 2009, there was little to no Hip-Hop/street-style dance being seen across stages and theaters across Minnesota by other presenters. The validity and technique of these styles were often questioned. In addition, even though Black and Brown people originated these styles and there were lots of Black and Brown practitioners they were largely missing from the stage. Moreover, Hip-Hop/street styles dancers and choreographers received little to no awards, grants, or fellowships; or were on panels.
When ROOTED premiered in June 2009, it changed the trajectory of how Hip-Hop/street styles were seen in the dance and performing arts communities in Minnesota. Its positive impact and commitment to excellence opened many doors and won acclaim.
As an independent presenter, MMP is not a part of any institution-which means nothing was already created or given. Everything from infrastructure to the logo was built with our own money, time, and resources. Over a decade later, we can proudly say that we still do everything with excellence but are grateful to have received numerous grants since 2018!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
MMP specializes in uplifting and celebrating Hip-Hop/street culture-especially the dancers and choreographers. Through our work as a presenter, we are proud that dancers and choreographers have been removed from the background and brought to the foreground-front and center.
We are excited to continue grassroots work to identify those who are not recognized, get overlooked, or need a boost and support them in the artistic journey.
We are honored to be trusted and respected by artists and audiences, going strong for 14 years-continuing to be the lead presenting organization for local BIPOC Hip Hop/street dance artists (or as we say at MMP, “world class artists based in MN”).
What matters most to you? Why?
To continue to present artists and work that is reciprocal from artist to artist and artists to the audience. It is how we maintain, acknowledge, and celebrate culture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sotamove.com; www.maiamaiden.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/maiamaidenprod
Image Credits
Roosevelt Mansfield
