Rennie Harris Presents: Rome & Jewels at The Vets

Rodney Mason aka Duck Butt

Transplanted to Portland from South Philly, Rodney is a Song and Dance man who won the starring role of “Tony Sinclair” for the Tanqueray worldwide campaign beating out the Wayans brothers and 800 candidates in the US and UK for this sophisticated Black Brit. Rodney has become a famous character in commercials, print/editorial, billboards, and live guest appearances at major events. Rodney has served his country and is a Gulf War Veteran. His experience defending his country as a Marine has colored his work and his performance message. He is also a theatre and performance artist, utilizing his Street Dance skills, spoken word poetry, and rap to create many unusual and original characters for film, television, commercials, and stand-up comedy appearances. Rodney has also worked with the Groundlings and 2nd City in Chicago and toured the world with Rennie Harris Puremovement, an American Street Dance Theater company out of Philadelphia PA, as a core member. He is known for his award-winning role (Lawrence Olivier Award—Best Performance) in ROME & JEWELS. Other stage work includes TOTEM ROAD with the Olive Dance Company and a stint with the Baltimore Outreach Program in YO BALTIMORE where he received critical acclaim. His TV appearances include the MTV Vibe awards, hosting Comedy Central, and cable TV.

Joel Martinez aka Teknyc

was born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico until 13. He credits an early interest in breaking "breakdancing" to his older brother Willie Martinez. As a B-boy, Teknyc and his crew, Skill Methodz, became one of the most iconic crews in the dance's street dance history as a graffiti writer Teknyc is a proud member of one of the most legendary crews, Fame City Kings (FC) and Fast Breaking Artists (FBA). Teknyc has painted murals worldwide, from NYC to Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, Paris, Japan, London, Amsterdam, Portugal, Dubai, Prague, Berlin, Argentina, and Brazil. He was also a member of Rennie Harris Puremovement in Rome & Jewels, Facing Mekka, and repertory works nationally and internationally. As a member of Rennie Harris Puremovement, he served as an ambassador of Hip-hop for President Obama's Dance Motion USA that toured Israel, Eygpt, Jerusalem, Palestine, and other surrounding countries on behalf of the United States.

Joshua Archibald aka butterfly.god

is a Jamaican-born, Miami-raised multidisciplinary performance artist. Having a background in music production and performance as well as theatrical performance and writing, Joshua received most of his dance training at Miami-Dade College as both a dance major and member of Jubilation Dance Ensemble. Following his studies, he moved to Atlanta, GA, in pursuit of his artistic career utilizing all his experiences and acquired knowledge. Having completed a season with T. Lang Dance Company, Joshua spent 2 additional years in Atlanta training the rest of his skill set. In that time he worked with production crews for many local events (such as art installations, galleries, live performances etc.), as well as frequently engaging with artists of those respective communities. Since then, he has moved back to Miami to further his development and begin creating work for himself as an independent artist.

Ozzie Jones

Born in West Philadelphia September 6th, 1970 Mr. Jones has directed The Countess Cathleen by William Butler Yeats and composed the score for Third and Indiana by Steve Lopez for the Arden Theater Company. A representative for the Philadelphia Theater Initiative in the United States and Europe, he also became the First African American in the Republic of Ireland’s history to direct a play in Ireland for an Irish Theater company, directing a production of Othello for Second Age Theater. David Nolan of the Irish Times called the production “the most creative and innovative production of Shakespeare seen in Ireland in decades.” Ozzie “Old Man” Jones, along with Larry “Mr. Cisum” Fowler Jr. and Jared “Grand Agent” Taylor, started the hip hop group NAME. NAME went on to become one of the central figures in the Neo-Soul and underground Hip hop scene in Philadelphia, which produced stars like DJ Drama, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and The Roots. The records released by NAME within 1995 and 2000 include, Mohammed Ali, Black Thought, Artist of the Yeah (Featuring Poor Righteous Teachers and Schooly D), Twelve, Logic, and By Design by Grand Agent featuring Ozzie “Old Man” Jones. NAME toured throughout the United States and Canada. In 2000, Mr. Jones became the Producing Artistic Director of the Walt Whitman Arts Center in Camden, NJ, until 2007. Currently, Mr. Jones is developing an extensive series of plays on Jazz called The Real Book. He has directed staged readings for Chasin’ the Bird and Kind of Blue an African. Mr. Jones has just completed writing a road gang and cotton field hollers opera called, Gwine Dig a Hole, and recently starred in the film Hail Mary, which is written and directed by Nnamdi Kanga and will be released in Spring of 2021.

James Colter aka Cricket

is a professional street dancer who has performed, taught, and lectured on the form internationally for over 22 years. In addition, he is a well versed visual artist (sequential art, children’s book illustrations, etc) choreographer and artistic director. Mr. Colter (Cricket) has taught globally at numerous hip hop dance festivals including Bates Dance Festival and the Illadelph Legends Festival. Cricket was a featured dancer in the Disney movie Step Up 2: The Street and has danced for various recording artists including, Boys II Men, KRS-1, Will Smith, Eve, Avril Lavigne, Fall Out-Boy and was a host MTV Japan’s "Dreamers" television show. Cricket has worked with the legendary street dance pioneer Bill "Crutch Master" Shannon, urban tap dancer, Tamango Van Cayseeleas, and London’s best known urban theatrical wordsmith and curator, Jonzi D. Cricket has produced and directed various dance pieces in Philadelphia, New York City and London, including “Heroes,” a London based hip hop theater show where he acted as director and principal costume designer. Mr. Colter is a part of the “Step-Fenz” dance crew, a NY based dance group that is known for its mix of B-boy and House dance. He is a founding member of Rennie Harris Pure Movement (RHPM) and has worked with the company for over 16 years. He is an original cast member of Rennie Harris’s Bessie award winning multidisciplinary hip hop theater presentation, “Rome and Jewels.” During his time with RHPM, Cricket was involved in teaching and performing throughout the globe and was the leader of Puremovement’s educational outreach program. Cricket’s artistic mission is to push the limits of the various movements that exist in Hip- Hop and in other contemporary dance forms by blending various art forms in order to tell a viable story on the concert dance stage and rid the stigma that Hip-Hop is merely an athletic form of dance that can only be performed in a showcase setting. Cricket believes that, through Hip Hop, complex stories can be told and the boundaries of theater can be pushed by adding the urban/hip hop aesthetic to costume design, set design, soundscapes, etc. Mr. Colter has recently founded his own company “Concept Kinetics” to accomplish his goal.

Phil Cuttino, Jr. aka JipTheRuler

is a Philadelphia native hip-hopper from birth, is skilled in breakin', graffiti, DJ-ing, and rapping. His first performance was at the age of four with his father, a prominent MC and B-Boy in the Philadelphia hip-hop scene. He started in a crew called the X-men doing local talent shows and learned from some Philadelphia greats. He has toured throughout the United States and internationally and currently is a core member, advisor and the director of social media of 'Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater.

Evil Tracy The International Showoff

started under a local Philly legend, DJ Grand Master Ant, who used to rock house and block parties back in 1981. Ant would let Tracy and a friend carry crates and rap with his legendary Philly group Fatal Funk Force. Eventually, Tracy began DJing under his cousin DJ Kid Swift and later founded Action Figure Crew, which included his cousins DJ Kid Swift, DJ Aktive, and DJ Ghetto (Battle Champions) along with other legendary Philly DJs. To his credit, Tracy is in video and television programs such as Street Soldierz by On The Go Magazine and the Tru Heads Movie, which premiered on HBO, BET, and The Avenue. He has opened for several artists, including Busta Rhymes, Raekwon the Chef of Wu-Tang Clan, to name a few. Tracy has toured briefly with Lyfe Jennings and did a couple of shows behind Melanie Fiona at two separate events in Philly. He has also toured with Rennie Harris Puremovement on three award-winning productions: Rome and Jewels, Illadelph Legends, and Facing Mekka, all of which are internationally acclaimed. Tracy was able to showcase his talents on Broadway (NYC) and London's West End. He was the star DJ for Illstyle & Peace Productions "Hit the Breaks," a B-boy and tap dance show. Additionally, he has performed in the internationally acclaimed Steve Love production of Break The Urban Funk Spectacular. Tracy is also the creator of his show Needle To Da'Groove, which toured briefly to three U.S. Cities. "In black society, being a showoff is frowned upon. The term itself means someone is doing the most or being extra, over the top with whatever they're doing, wearing, or saying at the time to impress whoever. Simply put, I own it, I'm a showoff because when you think about it, every professional artist that you know gets paid to travel the world and show off their skill or knowledge. When you come to see artists perform, it's called a "show." When we are on our game, we often refer to it as going off on stage or wherever. I have to be honest and say, I like it when my family and friends are in the audience. It inspires me more because I'm literally showing off for them" ~Evil Tracy The International Showoff~

DJ Razor Ramon

is a DJ/ Turntablist/ Producer from Philadelphia. He has been in the Philly Hip-Hop scene for over 30 years and has been influenced by DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, Grandmixer D.XT., the late Jam Master Jay, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Cash Money. The award-winning Turntablist is the 2001 Philadelphia City Paper Pitch Control DJ Battle Champion as well as the 2002 NBA All- Star Weekend DJ Battle Champion and the 7- time Power 99fm (Clear Channel) DJ Battle Champion. Ramon has also performed on stages throughout the United States and internationally including Toronto (Canada), Venice Italy), Monaco (France), London (U.K.), 23 cities in The Netherlands, Auckland (New Zealand), 6 cities in Mexico, Bejing (China), and Melbourne and Sydney (Australia). Razor Ramon has performed with such artists and poets like Ursula Rucker, Mo Beasley and Rich Medina, Hip Hop artists Grand Agent, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, Poor Righteous Teachers, DJ Cash Money, Supernatural, Medusa, Hezekiah, Boogaloo Sam (the creator of popping & boogaloo) & The Electric Boogaloos, the late Don Campbell (the creator of Campbell Locking), Crazy Legs, Pop Master Fabel. The Rock Steady Crew, Illstyle and Peace Productions Dance Theatre Company, Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble, and Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theatre Company, to name a few. Ramon was part of one of the first Hip- Hop acts to perform at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Pa. (Rennie Harris’ Hip- Hop Legends). He has commercially recorded music with Grand Agent, Mel Ink, Shawn Kelly, Boyz II Men, Wort Und Totschlag (W.U.T.-German Hip Hop Artists), and NFL Films. He also released two solo albums entitled INTRODUCING THE TURNTABLISTIC DJ RAZOR RAMON and FOR BEATS SAKE VOLUME I. DJ Razor Ramon is the recipient of the 2003 Philly DJ Appreciation Award for his years of dedicated service, and he continues to create music, perform in theatres, clubs, and lounges throughout Philadelphia and abroad, displaying his skills and passion for the art of Turntablism.

Anthony Denaro aka B-boy YNOT M.F.A

explores the design, sustainability, history, and community of Hip Hop. Through a futurist lens, YNOT’s work manifests in dance, typography, music, and architecture. YNOT’s reputation in the dance world precedes him. As a B-boy, he’s traveled the world extensively judging battles, teaching workshops, and building cultural awareness. In YNOT’s vision of the sustainability of Hip Hop, teaching and mentorship are paramount. Currently, YNOT teaches workshops internationally as well as virtually and in person through University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Arizona State University, and Texas Tech where he facilitates Breaking Technique, Stylized letterform Design and Sound Design For Electronic Music Production. Alongside his dance and professorship, YNOT creates two- and three-dimensional visual works (physical and digital) that construct a possible future of the Hip Hop aesthetic.

James Colter aka Cricket

is a professional street dancer who has performed, taught, and lectured on the form internationally for over 22 years. In addition, he is a well versed visual artist (sequential art, children’s book illustrations, etc) choreographer and artistic director. Mr. Colter (Cricket) has taught globally at numerous hip hop dance festivals including Bates Dance Festival and the Illadelph Legends Festival. Cricket was a featured dancer in the Disney movie Step Up 2: The Street and has danced for various recording artists including, Boys II Men, KRS-1, Will Smith, Eve, Avril Lavigne, Fall Out-Boy and was a host MTV Japan’s "Dreamers" television show. Cricket has worked with the legendary street dance pioneer Bill "Crutch Master" Shannon, urban tap dancer, Tamango Van Cayseeleas, and London’s best known urban theatrical wordsmith and curator, Jonzi D. Cricket has produced and directed various dance pieces in Philadelphia, New York City and London, including “Heroes,” a London based hip hop theater show where he acted as director and principal costume designer. Mr. Colter is a part of the “Step-Fenz” dance crew, a NY based dance group that is known for its mix of B-boy and House dance. He is a founding member of Rennie Harris Pure Movement (RHPM) and has worked with the company for over 16 years. He is an original cast member of Rennie Harris’s Bessie award winning multidisciplinary hip hop theater presentation, “Rome and Jewels.” During his time with RHPM, Cricket was involved in teaching and performing throughout the globe and was the leader of Puremovement’s educational outreach program. Cricket’s artistic mission is to push the limits of the various movements that exist in Hip- Hop and in other contemporary dance forms by blending various art forms in order to tell a viable story on the concert dance stage and rid the stigma that Hip-Hop is merely an athletic form of dance that can only be performed in a showcase setting. Cricket believes that, through Hip Hop, complex stories can be told and the boundaries of theater can be pushed by adding the urban/hip hop aesthetic to costume design, set design, soundscapes, etc. Mr. Colter has recently founded his own company “Concept Kinetics” to accomplish his goal.

Miyeko Urvashi Rennie Harris

the eldest daughter of Rennie Harris was born in Philadelphia and began training at the age of eight in Austin, Texas. She later returned to Philadelphia and began her pre-professional training at the Koresh School of Dance where she trained under Melissa Rector, Roni Koresh, and Eva Szabo. Harris performed with Koresh Youth Ensemble for three years. Most recently she performed with Maura Townsend Dance at the 2022 Los Angeles Dance Festival at the Luckman Theatre. Harris is a recent high school graduate currently attend California State University of Los Angeles with a major in Communication Disorders. She is excited to be performing with Rennie Harris Puremovement and looks forward to this next chapter in her life.

Fyness Mason

was raised in New York City, is a Temple University, B.A., and Harcum College Graduate. Her Hip Hop dance career began with Rennie Harris Puremovemnt Dance Company in 2005. Mason has performed nationally and internationally in theaters such as the Kimmel Center, Kennedy Center, Saddlers Wells in London, England, Alvin Ailey theater, Carpenters Center in Long Beach, Joyce theater, Lied Center, Bates Dance Festival, Bryn Mawr College, Wells Fargo Center, N.Y.C. SummerStage, and Bam Theater. In addition, she's taught classes at Temple University, Bryn Mawr College, Florida State University, Bates Dance Festival, and more. Fyness teaches classes that incorporate movement from the African Diaspora, as well as Hip-hop. Fyness has also performed with Face Da Phlave Entertainment, Montazh all woman's Hip Hop Dance Company, Flyground with Lela Aisha Jones, Oyin Hardy's Troupe Dada, and the late Kariamu Welsh. During Fyness's hiatus from dance, she went back to school to study Occupational Therapy Assisting. She raised three children with her husband, Steve Mason (resident D.J. at W.D.A.S. Philadelphia radio station). Recently Fyness returned to the stage and is ready to share her love for dance with her community with the goal of uplifting women through hip hop dance culture with a message that you can do anything you put your mind to and then some.

Angel Anderson

is a movement artist whose origins are the south suburbs of Chicago. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Anderson’s interests revolve widely around dances of the African Diaspora, traditional dances from West Africa and the ways in which both can and do exist in a contemporary setting. She is also interested in the hybridization of and dialogue between dances from the African Diaspora and continent. Her research largely examines this, and the African retention present inside of street and club dance culture in forms such as House and Hip Hop. She has received her certificate of completion for finishing her first year of the Africa Diaspora Training Program at Ecole Des Sables. During her time in Senegal, she trained with artists such as Serge Aimé Coulibaly, Alesandra Seutin, Josepha Madoki, and Anani Sanouvi. Alongside performing as a new core member in Rennie Harris Puremovement in works such as LIFTED, Nuttin’ But A Word, and Rome and Jewels, she is also studying under Rennie Harris University to expand her knowledge on the lineage of street dance and club culture. She is most looking forward to the opportunity to develop her own pedagogy and teaching practice.

Maggie Waller

is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Heavily involved in the local hip hop community, she pulls from various dance forms, such as Waacking, House, Locking, Breaking, Hip Hop, Postmodern Contemporary, and Tap, in her performance work, choreography, and freestyle/battle practice. She is a recent graduate of Arizona State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, a Minor in Justice Studies, and two Certificates in Arts Entrepreneurship and Socially Practice in Design and the Arts. In addition, Maggie is a Fulbright Summer Institute Participant, a recipient of the Joan Frazer Memorial Award for Judaism and the Arts, and a published writer. Maggie currently lives in Washington, D.C., teaching and making. She is deeply honored to be a core company member of Rennie Harris Puremovement and to be a part of the Rome & Jewels legacy.

Rachel Snider

is a Chambersburg, PA native who now resides in Philadelphia. She began training under the direction of Moncell Durden's Keystone Dance Project, performing lecture demonstrations and after-school programs. Rachel later met her biggest dance inspiration and mentor, Marcus Tucker, of The Hood Lockers, whom she's trained under for six years. She is an alumnus at Jacob's Pillow for Social Dances - Jazz to Hip Hop. Rachel performed in Hood Nation's D.E.E.T.O.U.R. show at Jacob's Pillow, Ursinus College, and York College and supported Marcus Tucker's teaching residency at Eastern University. She has taught in Philadelphia for six years at Movemakers Philly and First Position Dance Arts. Rachel is excited to continue her dance journey with Rennie Harris Puremovement in this work.