THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: L for Jordan Demetrius LLOYD and Princess LOCKEROO
Jordan Demetrius Lloyd
Biography
A dance artist and instructor, Jordan Demetrius Lloyd is one of Dance Magazine’s ‘25 to Watch’ (2023 list) for his "skill as a community-gatherer." Moreover, he received the 2021-23 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship and residentships at the Center for Performance Research in 2019 and New York Live Arts (Fresh Tracks Program) from 2019-2021. He has collaborated with and performed for Beth Gill, Netta Yerushalmy, Tere O’Connor, Karl Rogers, David Dorfman Dance, Joanna Kotze, Catherine Galasso, Monica Bill Barnes, and Tammy Carrasco and taught at The American Dance Festival, Rutgers University, New York University, University of the Arts, Sarah Lawrence College, Pageant and Mark Morris Dance Center. Follow him on Instagram at @kyrobleu.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Jordan Demetrius Lloyd jumping by Whitney Browne | Headshot courtesy of the artist.
Princess Lockeroo
Biography
A producer, public speaker, curator, choreographer, director and the founder of The Fabulous Waack Dancers, Samara Cohen aka Princess Lockeroo is synonymous with the revival of the expressive 1970s disco era dance style, 'Waacking.' The recipient of a Bessie Award for Outstanding Breakout Choreographer (2022) has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance (Season 8) and America’s Got Talent, performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Apollo Theater, and judged the biggest dance festivals in countries across the world, from Thailand to Taiwan. A favorite amongst many students, Princess Lockerooo continues to teach and share her passion for dance and Waacking at the best studios in New York City. Follow her on Instagram at @princesslockerooo.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Princess Lockeroo and headshot courtesy of the artist.
What made you decide to enter this profession?
Lloyd:
I don’t have clear memories of deciding to dance professionally. I think I made a commitment to dance when I started taking classes at age 8. I loved it, and as long as dance kept choosing me, I kept choosing dance.
Lockeroo:
I always wanted to be on stage or in the performing arts. I had more of a background in singing and musical theater and I wanted to strengthen and attain more skills in dance. It was by chance that I fell upon the underground street/club dance scene. I fell in love with it and wanted to be able to freestyle in a cypher — that's how it started. I didn't know it would become a career.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?
Lloyd:
My mother. It is the biggest blessing to experience the ways that she loves and cares, and to witness her navigate this world.
Lockeroo:
Tyrone Proctor. He taught me how to be fabulous, brought out what was inside of me, and he taught me how to teach and empower others.
I can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
Lloyd:
French fries. There are many things, but fries always bring me joy!
Lockeroo:
My dog.
I practice self-care by __________.
Lloyd:
Spending a quiet night at home alone. I rarely have enough time at home to cook, clean, light candles, stretch, and/or watch a movie. I love having time to care for my home space.
Lockeroo:
Being 100% vegan (always) and eating healthy (sometimes).
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
Lloyd:
Plants! I would love a pet one day, but plants are less expensive. As for type, I’m a sucker for Peace Lilies.
Lockeroo:
Pets. I kill all plants. Obsessed with my dog, @sujithejackchi.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what is your favorite meal?
Lloyd:
Oof, I really love both so much, but there is something special about preparing and cooking your own food. My favorite meal to cook nowadays might be my mother’s spaghetti.
Lockeroo:
Eating out! Thai food, green or Panang vegetable curry, and SPICY.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
Lloyd:
I certainly have no interest in seeing the future, and have little desire to relive the past. I guess there are some people whom I would enjoy seeing again, one last time. I really to focus on being right here, right now though.
Lockeroo:
Past. I want to go back in time to the 70's and meet the creators of Waacking or Punking.
What is your personal approach to handling challenging people or situations?
Lloyd:
I am trying to work on staying open, listening, and holding space.
Lockeroo:
Direct communication and knowing when to leave a situation.
How has your personal life changed since the pandemic?
Lloyd:
Oh, my life has changed in many ways. Perhaps the biggest is that I find myself getting tired faster, and I am watching more movies.
Lockeroo:
I got married. I like being home more. I used to have the travel bug, but being close to family is more important to me now.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
Lloyd:
This is a tricky one, as I think it’s still changing. Right know I am asking myself, 'What is it that I really want to create?' and working to understand how to make that happen in our current economy.
Lockeroo:
I got better at editing videos, as I was forced to create content! I think I learned a lot from watching and reflecting on my past work. Since losing my teacher and mentor Tyrone Proctor, I've felt a deeper responsibility to carry on the legacy. I feel like I am truly stepping into what it means to be a teacher now.
What is the last show you saw and loved?
Lloyd:
The American Sun choreographed by Maya Lee Parritz.
Lockeroo:
Hadestown on Broadway! Incredible.
What is your pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) ritual?
Lloyd:
I don’t know that I have any rituals, but I do try to keep myself pretty chill. I also love a shorter, more concise warm up right before I go on.
Lockeroo:
Breath! I always circle up with my dancers and take a few breaths together.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
Lloyd:
I would have loved to catch a glimpse of a Laurieann Gibson rehearsal during her Making the Band era — the drama!
Lockeroo:
Soul Train, 1972-80 or the gay clubs of LA, 1970-80.
I have / have had the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
Lloyd:
I have very fond memories of performing Netta Yerushalmy’s Pictograms at The American Dance Festival in 2014. I also loved performing in Jonathan Gonzalez’s PRACTICE in 2022.
Lockeroo:
I mostly create my own work. I had the most fun creating choreography with The Fabulous Waack Dancers for our Lincoln Center debut!
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
Lloyd:
The Sovereignty of Quiet by Kevin Quashie is a phenomenal read. I love the way Kevin addresses interiority and inner life through the lens of so many Black femme thinkers and writers.
I am, more recently, getting into the Stuff You Should Know podcast!
Lockeroo:
DanceSpeak podcast by Galit Friedlander. Amazing stories of dance. She interviewed so many heavy hitters.
The Dance Edit by J. Bouey. Very deep insightful conversations.
Sibling Rivalry by Bob The Drag Queen and Monét X Change! Hillarious!
This city or country is the best place I have ever been to for art: __________.
Lloyd:
New York City. It’s complicated, but I love what people create here.
Lockeroo:
I personally love Bali. Love the culture, the dances.
Which social media app are you most drawn to?
Lloyd:
Instagram or Twitter, and I have a deep hate-love relationship with both.
Lockeroo:
Instagram or TikTok.
What advice do you have for young people in your field?
Lloyd:
It’s been supportive for me to stay connected to what is, and is not serving me and my art practices. I also have to actively release my expectations of what a career in dance looks like.
Lockeroo:
Learn everything! Be entrepreneurial. Ask for advice. See yourself as a brand, not a pawn in someone else's brand.
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
Lloyd:
Oh, there are so many ways, and so many people who have been doing this work for years.
Lockeroo:
Provide space, funding and opportunity to these artists. Works & Process is a great example of how to go about that; they provide amazing opportunities, connections and support to street dance artists.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
Lloyd:
I don’t know that I think about spreading enthusiasm much, but I do try to operate from a place of passion and love, which might have a similar effect.
Lockeroo:
By sharing my passion and my enthusiasm — it's contagious.
