Syniva Whitney

Syniva Whitney is an artist creating performative experiences that combine theater, dance and visual art. Syniva’s queer multiracial non-binary point of view is at the heart of their performance project, Gender Tender, for which Syniva creates experiences that investigate the nature of queer and transgender personal relationships and histories as well as the surreal nature of transformation, trauma, and healing. Syniva Whitney/Gender Tender engages a team of artists trained in Syniva’s unique methods modeled on the structures of sports teams, sitcoms, and riots. Technical and conceptual focus combine to engage performers and audience in the dance of intellect, embodiment and radical compassion. Their work aims to disintegrate binary thinking for all participants.

Syniva Whitney was awarded the 2018 Artist in Residence position at Velocity Dance Center. Their performance work has been commissioned and produced by On the Boards’ NW New Works Festival and Solo Festival; Velocity’s Next Fest NW and Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation; the Seattle International Dance Festival; Yellow Fish Epic Durational Performance Festival and was selected for the inaugural season of Seattle’s Gay City Arts. Their work has also been presented in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Portland OR, Chicago and San Francisco. Syniva has exhibited their visual art and screened their short films nationally. They have an MFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Their current project MELTED RIOT, a queer meditation inspired by the Stonewall Riots of 1969, is supported by the Velocity Dance Center Artist in Residence program.