Po'Chop

 

Hell bent on creating a repertoire that sparked conversations regarding notions of gender and sexual prowess, Po’Chop made her debut as a performance artist in 2010. With over a decade of modern dance training which included study at Columbia College Chicago, Po’Chop uses elements of dance, storytelling, and striptease to create performances that are described by Chicago critics as “…the most provocative symbol of might onstage…It was as if Po’Chop had captured lightning in a bottle and the bottle was herself.”

Since debut, Po’chop has become a member of Chicago’s esteemed burlesque troupe, Vaudezilla, and has sizzled across many stages including St. Louis, Charleston, LA, and New York. Let’s not also forget Po’s burlesque festival appearances such Kansas City Burlesque Festival (2013,2014), Fierce Queer Festival (2013), Windy City Burlesque festival (2012, 2014), Minneapolis Burlesque Festival (2013), and the New Orleans Burlesque Festival(2013) where Po’s performance was described by Vicky Butterfly as having “so many intangible qualities that made it a tour-de-force.” Po’Chop has been a cast member of the wildly successful Jeezy’s Juke Joint since inception in 2012 and returned in 2014 as a headliner alongside Foxy Tann & Ray Gunn. Though any opportunity to perform Po’Chop meets with an indescribable ferocity, Po’ relishes and considers experiences such as the Juke Joint, and performing for Chicago’s Dyke March to be career highlights.

When not on the stage, Po’ can be found at Vaudezilla Studios either choreographing and mentoring Vaudezilla’s JV ensemble or empowering students of all identities to celebrate their individuality and sexuality through burlesque. Po’s instruction has been said to be, “quite life changing”. Po’ is currently blazing a trail of victories with the conception and execution of Black as Eye Wanna Be, an hour-long exploration of black feminism and oppression, that was performed as a part of the Chicago Fringe Festival and was Chicago Reader Recommended. Po’Chop was just announced as the recipient of the Chances Dances Mark Aguhar Memorial Grant.  Needless to say, Po’Chop is the meat so, sweet even vegetarians want to take a bite!