ABOUT

Renowned dance artist Lil’ Buck created Memphis Jookin’ the Show Powered by Nike to tell the story of the singular dance style known as Memphis Jookin’ and showcase the exceptional talents of Jookin’ dancers. Co-Written by Ameenah Kaplan and Malcolm Barrett, Memphis Jookin’ the Show Powered by Nike is a metaphor for the evolution and history of Memphis Jookin’ told through the lives of fictional characters. A young aspiring film maker, JJ, is front and center for the ups-and-downs of the burgeoning international dance movement known as Memphis Jookin’. Through the lens of JJ’s camera, we witness the community of Memphis Jookin’ through their joys, battles, struggles, and successes.

The production starring Lil’ Buck and directed by Amy “Catfox” Campion, features 12 Memphis Jookin’ dancers performing to a soundtrack by the Mulherin Brothers and Young Jai that evokes the energy of the streets and clubs where Memphis Jookin’ was born. Marico “DrRico” Flake, Terran Noir Gary, and Lil’ Buck create choreography in collaboration with cast members that shines with signature Memphis Jookin’ movements artfully crafted into the narrative. Memphis Jookin’ the Show Powered by Nike launched in 2022 receiving standing ovations at every theater from Memphis to Berkeley.

Sponsored by Arnhold Foundation

Major support by Jody and John Arnhold, Anhold Dance Innovation Fund

CREATIVE TEAM

Charles “Lil Buck” Riley, Producer, Choreographer, Performer (Bucktown)

Charles “Lil Buck” Riley is a movement artist known for bringing a freestyle-based street dance involving intricate footwork, called Memphis Jookin’, to a mainstream audience across the world.  Raised in Memphis, TN he was introduced to the urban street dance style around the age of 13 years old; after moving up in the Jookin’ ranks, he studied ballet for two years on scholarship.  He quickly made a niche for himself by adding his own style and imagination to create signature moves – which include gliding across space as if gravity doesn’t exist.

In 2011, Lil Buck performed with YoYo Ma to his rendition of Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan.”  Spike Jonze happened to be in the audience and was so blown away by the performance, he taped it on his phone and posted it on the internet.  The video quickly went viral with over 3 million views on YouTube. Since then, he’s performed with Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: One”, Benjamin Millipied, Janelle Monae, and Madonna to name a few.

His dancing abilities combined with his unique style has made him a fashion icon. Lil Buck was awarded the Wall Street Journal Innovator award in 2014. In 2015 he collaborated alongside Mikhail Baryshnikov in a campaign for Rag & Bone’s Fall/Winter campaign and has appeared in ads for brands such as Jordan, Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel, Kaporal Jeans, Gap and more. He also designed a capsule collection for Versace.

Lil Buck continues to defy gravity in Apple’s AirPods commercial which garnered over 8 million views on YouTube within two weeks.  He also starred in Lexus’ 2017 Super Bowl commercial, and you can see some of his moves through the role of the “Mouse King” in Disney’s feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.”

Buck is Co-Founder of MOVEMENT ART IS, an organization focused on using movement artistry to inspire change in the world. Lil Buck collaborated with dancer Jon Boogz and artist Alexa Meade to create “Color of Reality”, a short film addressing gun violence.  The film won CNN’s Great Big Story “Art as Impact” Award and Toronto Short Festival’s “Best Experimental Film” and was also nominated for World of Dance’s “Concept Video of the Year”. Buck also starred in the nature inspired short film “Honor Thy Mother” which addresses the need for humans to take better care of our planet. Lil Buck continues to share his Art, Activism, and one-of-a-kind style of movement with the world.

Amy “Catfox” Campion, Director

Amy “Catfox” Campion is a dance art maker, activist, and educator who empowers people through Hip-Hop Culture. Her work crosses artistic and cultural boundaries: transplanting hip-hop dance from street to stage, remixing street dance vocabularies, and telling stories through a multimedia intersection of dance, theater, film, poetry, graffiti art, and music. Through a collaborative creative process, Campion partners with performers to create choreography that is both virtuosic and expressive. Her work showcases the innate capacity of Hip-Hop art forms to advocate for positive social change. Campion’s dance art experience spans two decades and includes multiple dance styles, most prominently, Breaking, Hip-Hop, and Capoeira. In 2006, Campion graduated from UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures with an MFA in Choreography. From 2007 to 2019, Campion founded and directed Antics, a multimedia hip-hop dance theater company. Campion’s work has been presented internationally, nationally, and extensively throughout greater Los Angeles. She is a part-time faculty member at California State University Long Beach Dance Department.

Ameenah Kaplan, Writer

Ameenah Kaplan holds a BFA in directing from the Academy of Art University Film School. She also attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for acting. She has served as Resident Director for Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway and on the show’s North American tour, and appears on the ABC+ show Encore! as a choreographer and director. She spent her early career working as an actor, choreographer, and drummer. Her acting credits include Avengers: Infinity War, guest star and recurring roles on The Office and Grey’s Anatomy, and she was in the original American cast of Stomp. She’s been a drum coach with Blue Man Group for 18 years and has played drums for Rihanna, Macy Gray, Adam Lambert, and Rod Stewart. Other directing credits include The Wiz for First Stage Milwaukee, Our Country’s Good at American Players Theatre, Meet Vera Stark at Purdue U., How to Break for the Village Theater Seattle, The Royale at ACT Theatre Seattle, and Bash’d for LA’s Celebration Theatre. She directed Molodi: Up Close and Personal for Las Vegas’ premiere body percussion group and consults for Antics Hip Hop Theater Company in LA. She has twice directed for Noah Wylie’s Young Playwright’s Festival. Her short film, Man with a Movie Camera premiered at Hollyshorts Film Festival in 2014. She directed an award-winning short, The American Failure, hosted by multiple film festivals. She has choreographed more than two-dozen shows for stage and TV, including Dancing with the Stars. She originated the choreography for The Royale at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in LA and for The Dancing Granny by Ashley Bryan at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Ameenah is the recipient of Gregory, Ovation, Sherwood, Queen of Angels, and multiple NAACP and LA Weekly awards for choreography, fight choreography, and directing.

Malcolm Barrett, Writer

Malcolm Barrett is a veteran stage and screen actor/playwright who most recently can be seen in the Emmy-nominated series GENIUS: ARETHA FRANKLIN opposite Tony-Award winner Cynthia Erivo. Known for television series like THE BOYS, IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, THE SOPRANOS, and series regular roles on BETTER OFF TED, PREACHER & TIMELESS, he’s also made numerous film appearances in movies like Tom Hanks’ LARRY CROWNE, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, PEEPLES, the Academy-Award winning THE HURT LOCKER, etc. More recent credits include Disney Plus’ JUST BEYOND and Shudder’s Black horror anthology HORROR NOIRE. A former Nuyorican Poetry Cafe national team member, he also wrote, produced, and acted in the play, BRAIN PROBLEMS (The Pico), which was nominated for an Ovation writing award and produced by Ammo Theatre, of which he is a founding member and former Artistic Director. Short plays he’s written include TRIAL BY FURY (MCC Theatre) and THE BOARD ROOM (Acme Theatre). He is an Ovation-Award winning actor for the play, The Recommendation. He is thankful to the performers who gave their whole spirit to this production and to the creative team behind Memphis Jookin’ – The Show for this opportunity, including Lil Buck, Jai, Amy, the Mulherins, Helena, Terran, Dr. Rico and decades long friends and family, co-writer Ameenah Kaplan, Producer Alex Barnes and the Orpheum’s Jen McGrath.

Terran Noir Gary, Choreographer
A native of Memphis, TN Terran Gary is currently the Dance Team Manager for the Memphis Grizzlies NBA Basketball team where she is responsible for the management, direction, choreography & staging of Grizzlies Dance Entertainment Teams including Grizz Girls, Blue Bunch and Grannies & Grandpas.

In addition to her work with the Grizzlies, Terran is Owner and Artistic Director of SubRoy Studios in Memphis where she is responsible for the professional development of aspiring professional performers in the greater Memphis area. SubRoy Studios offers a diverse dance curriculum, preparing dancers for the commercial market. As a dance collective, Subculture Royalty fosters the development of dynamic choreographers and performers. SubRoy requires calculated marketing and promotional strategies as well as athletic training for performances.

Marico “Dr. Rico” Flake, Jookin’ Choreographer, Performer (Double OG)

Memphis native Marico “Dr. Rico” Flake is one of the most influential dancers and teachers in urban dance, especially known for helping develop and promote Memphis Jookin’, a street style that carries the spirit of the Blues City. Dr. Rico has been featured on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Choreography for his work with Janelle Monae on her music video “Tightrope.” He choreographed the first Memphis Jookin’ Dance Tour and is a founder and leading member of the legendary Jookin’ crew G-Force, responsible for establishing the first known Jookin’ academy. He also helped form the international dance crew The Assassins – Warriors of Light. Dr. Rico is the co-author of “The Jook,” the book that codified Jookin’ and ballet, and he authored an online Memphis Jookin’ certificate program with the International Urban Dance Academy. He’s particularly known for his focus on learning and exploring what dance teaches us about life, and what life teaches us about dance. Now, as a member of Urban Artistry based in the D.C. area, his goal is to further the Human Genome Project through the anthropology of dance. He has traveled to several countries around the world sharing the various cultures of dance he represents, in a quest to simultaneously keep traditions alive and innovation ever present.

 Marshall and Parker Mulherin, Composers & Music Directors

Marshall and Parker Mulherin are twin brothers from Memphis, where they grew up surrounded by music –– their father is a professional musician and their mother a knowledgeable fan with wide-ranging musical tastes. While marinating in the rich musical environment at home, they grew up as percussionists in middle school and high school band. Early in their college years at Loyola New Orleans, they discovered their vocations as composers, songwriters, and singers, and began releasing original songs online as Mulherin and playing live in New Orleans clubs and college venues.

Lil Buck entered the Mulherins’ lives when they were commissioned to create music for his performances with Memphis’s New Ballet Ensemble in 2014 and again in 2016. They moved to Los Angeles the next year to pursue their musical career, but stayed creatively engaged with Buck, contributing music to “Love Heals All Wounds,” the first production from his Movement Art Is organization, and a composition for the Vail Dance Festival. They’ve toured nationally and were finishing up their next Mulherin EP and music video when Buck invited them to join the creative team for Memphis Jookin’: The Show. They were delighted to dive back into his unique creative world, composing and producing a wide stylistic range of music for the show.

Their career as Mulherin also continues full steam, with a new EP and plenty of other songs available on all the music streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), videos on YouTube, and more live performances on the horizon.

Joe Mulherin, Video Producer

Joe’s smorgasbord of a career has served up video projects, music, writing, live events, and other savory adventures that have arisen over the decades. He has written, produced and directed 40+ years of video projects for live shows, television, corporations, non-profits and other clients.  He’s probably written most things there are to write – articles, scripts, speeches/presentations, ads, all-purpose prose, even a TED Talk (but no book yet). His eclectic array of gigs as a trumpeter/arranger cover broad musical territory, from Jackie Wilson to The Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee, Levon Helm, Keith Richards, and Toots Hibbert, among many, some more famous than others. He’s served as music supervisor, consultant, composer or score producer on over 50 feature films, documentaries, and TV shows. As a music director he’s logged that many live events and stage musicals. His live productions have likewise run the gamut, from Fortune 500 corporate events to award shows, galas, NBA halftime shows, music and dance concerts, and lots of etcetera. His work has thankfully taken him to many countries on three continents. But as productive as all these years have been, by far his finest productions are Marshall and Parker (see above).

Craten “Jai Pro” Armmer, Producer/Tour Manger/Music

Jai Pro is a Memphian first before everything. He has an extreme love for his city and all it has contributed to the world. His love for Memphis and protection of its assets was the biggest factor that led him to his involvement in helping establish Memphis Jookin to the world.

Jai Pro began his career in television and music early.  By the age of 20, he had worked “hands on” in the Television Industry for over 6 years and created his own music as early as 15 years old.  By 2008, after seeing a lot of fly-by-night dances become popular, Jai scoured the city for anyone Jookin. “I couldn’t find anything on the web about Jookin, Gangsta Walking, anything.”

In 2006 Jai released Memphis Jookin Vol 1 featuring the premiere Jookers of the city. Thanks to the DVD, in addition to promotion on an emerging new platform called “Youtube”, Memphis Jookin hit the city and the entire world instantly. By 2010, Jookin had spread to all continents and was beginning to get recognized in the dance industry.

Since 2010, Jai has continued to push this dance style for his city and it has taken him all across the world. Since then, Jai has booked many Memphis Jookers on commercials, music videos, movies and managed the most influential Jooker, Lil Buck. Months before the pandemic shut down the world, Jai and Lil Buck were introduced to CAMI Music in Paris. 3 1/2 years later we are here. Lookout for the non-profit Memphis Jookin Arts Academy which will be opening later in 2023 and more big things involving Memphis Jookin Globally, @MemphisJookin EVERYWHERE

Anthony T. James, Production Stage Manager/Photographer

Anthony T. James has been a Memphian for 33 years! In 2006, he was introduced to performing arts by way of YO! Memphis Performing Arts Academy which actually where he met “Lil Buck”!…Since then he has been apart of a number of theater productions, both on and off the stage. In 2013, ‘AJ’ made his Hattiloo Theatre (A Black repertory theatre in Memphis) debut in ‘Grease’. Hattiloo Credits: “Grease”, “If Scrooge was a brother”, ‘Who will bell the cat’, ‘In The Heights and 5 Guys Names Moe!”!… AJ later on transitioned and shared his talents to the independent theatre scene. He quickly became the director & stage manager phenomenon. While producing and enriching art at its best his influence in The Arts is what was sought after the most. He’s excited to join the tour as Production Stage Manager of “Memphis Jookin” The Show, Featuring Lil Buck, Powered By Nike….Forever Grateful!

CAST

Dai’Vian “Stro” Washington (JJ) 

Dai’Vian, a 22-year-old native Memphian, has been dancing since he was six years old. A ninth grade theater class revealed his acting talent that he has since developed by performing in plays through high school and college. He followed Jookin’ on the internet, but developed his own style in the likes of Chris Brown/Michael Jackson, and only began to learn Jookin’ in the past several years. Working with top-flight Jookers in the show has been very motivating: “I’ve gotten so much advice from them, so much inspiration about how to be myself and incorporate that into the way that I dance.”

 Bradley “Geno” Davis (DJ Fly)

Geno is 28 and grew up dancing for fun. By the mid-2000s, with Jookin’ all around him in Memphis and on brand-new YouTube, he started teaching himself through videos and practicing on his own. His independent approach gives him a unique style, and he competed on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Season 12. He’s a member of 901.ent/The DreamTeam and says that Jookin’ has taught him vital lessons: “I learned the best thing you can do in life is be yourself –– a hundred percent,” he says. “And you have to work hard at anything that you’re serious about, because it’s only going to give you what you give it.” Now he’s passing along those lessons to his five-year-old son Ethen.

 Jerame “Jay Dome” Braden (Ensemble)

Dome is only 18 but he’s been involved in Jookin’ since he was a toddler. His father DJ Kojack DJed Jookin’ events around Memphis and he tagged along: “I was that little kid just sitting in the back, just watching,” he says. “I got inspired.” Soon he was dancing himself, studying at several studios, and joined the M Town Image crew, where his freestyle flourished. Dome is also active as a photographer/videographer, painter, clothing designer and studies graphic design. But, he says, there’s “a certain type of love that I get from dancing that I don’t get from anything else.”

 Dra’em “Dra’em” Hines (Ensemble)

A 19-year-old Memphis native, Dra’em was inspired to dance by his father, an amateur Gangsta Walker. He showed Dra’em the basics and took him to his first Jookin’ sessions. He says, “I’ve been inspired by every Jooker old and new as I was introduced to the culture.” He’s a member of the crew 901.ent/The Dream Team, and appeared with them in a Kerwin Frost Adidas TV commercial. Dra’em is committed to meditation as a daily practice and feels it has made a real difference in his life: “When you get on the floor after meditating, it’s like you’re in the flow. Meditating is definitely the way to go.”

 Elise “Dance Beast Elise” Landrum (Ensemble)

Elise aka Gangsta E fell in love with Memphis Jookin at 7 years old. She began watching YouTube videos, labbing, and battling until she perfected her own style. Since then she has done 2 commercials with Adidas x Kerwin Frost, a National Nike Commercial, and also an Hibbet Sports Commercial. She also was stared in a live  performance with Lucky Daye on RevoltTv. She was runner-up to fellow cast member Jadyn Smooth in Memphis auditions for Red Bull’s Dance Your Style and competed in the national finals in Washington, DC. Now she is on the 2nd round of the MEMPHIS JOOKIN TOUR! For her this tour puts it all together: “To be able to travel and get paid doing what I love to do is a dream come true for me”

Jadyn “Smooth” Nathan (Ensemble)

Jadyn’s family moved from Boston to Memphis when he was 3, and the city’s dancing culture caught his interest right away. He started taking lessons, and by 6 he was in one of the first Jookin’ academies, learning from the city’s best. Soon he was competing in local battles, and now at 18 he’s one of the city’s finest young Jookers –– he won the 2021 Memphis regional Red Bull Dance Your Style event and competed in the national finals in Washington, DC. Jadyn feels the Memphis Jookin’ tour is the next step: “I’m ready to just to keep going. Any opportunity that’s after this, I’m ready for it!”

Osaze “A-God” Niamke (Ensemble)

Osaze “Agod” Niamke is the youngest ever 2021 King of Memphis Jookin’ tournament winner. He is the founder and owner of the National Jookin’ League (NationalJookinLeague.com). He was featured in 2 Adidas commercials by Kerwin Frost and in a Nike national ad campaign that included print, TV, and billboards. Agod teaches Memphis Jookin’ to over 300 students around the globe and has traveled nationally to teach, perform, and battle. In 2022, Osaze “Agod” Niamke was a national finalist for Red Bull Dance Your Style.

 Cameron “iCAM” Sykes (Ensemble)

Cameron “iCAM” Sykes hails from South Memphis where he started dancing at the age of 5. He appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Season 14 and in music videos for Justin Beiber, Rich Brian, and Cordae. He performed in a Janet Jackson tribute live at the BMI Awards in Atlanta and reached the Final 6 in the all styles battle at World of Dance Atlanta. He’s performed for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Sparks. Cameron “Icam” Sykes is a self-taught dancer with skills in Memphis Jookin’, Krump, Hip-Hop, Animation, Popping, Locking, and Chicago Footworking. One of iCAM’s biggest influences and supporters while growing up was his Grandmother aka “Moo Moo”. Moo Moo loved him and encouraged his talent and pursuit of education. At age 15, iCAM lost his grandmother too soon. The last words he can remember his grandmother telling him was to never give up, keep God 1st, and that she loved him. iCAM continues to honor his Grandmother’s words to this day as he reaches new heights.

 Jasina “Sina” Tate (Ensemble)

Sina began dancing at 6 years old just having fun and making small dances at home with cousins Jookin’ 10 years ago and at 15 years she found her creative path. Like many dancers, she first learned from YouTube videos, but found that live sessions with experienced Jookers were important when it comes to learning the style understanding the culture and to help growth in the dance style. She once said, “they know how to move and flow with the music, that’s something you have to see in person to feel that energy” It’s all different in person. it’s more live.” As one of the few women Jookers, she encourages more women to get involved, for the creative and the personal benefits: “something i’ve learned from Jookin is to be confident within yourself, you know, love yourself and love what you do! Take your god given gift and use it to your best ability.

 Larray “Curry” Walker (Ensemble)

Larray says his family noticed his budding dance ability when he was only 2, but he started taking it seriously at age 12, when he joined one of the top Memphis dance studios. The key was taking what he learned there home, practicing and practicing some more. Now 20, Larray describes his personal style as a combination of hip hop, animation, and Jookin’. He also appreciates the reason he dances. “Jookin’ has taught me a lot, especially to have a mind of my own and take the path that I want to take.”