Lorii A. Wallace
Lorii A. Wallace is a versatile artist and community advocate from Toledo, Ohio. A Dance Educator, choreographer, writer and set designer, she began her artistic journey in a musical household, studying dance, viola and piano at an early age. She trained at The University of Toledo and under the late Geraldine Blunden of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and performed with the Seattle/Tacoma Performing Arts Company in productions like Grease, The Wiz and A Chorus Line.
After returning to Ohio, Lorii founded Tapestry Performing Arts Company and Evolve Productions Incorporated, creating “Edutainment” productions to inspire change. She has written and directed over 20 original plays and choreographed notable works, including The Wiz, Black Nativity and CATCO’s My Way, Eubie! and Head Over Heels. Her commissioned play Release Me, addressing human trafficking, was performed across India.
Lorii is the Creative Director for the film A Street Called Home and Set Designer for the streaming Hulu series “Royal Rules Ohio.” She also launched the now annual “Festival of Movement” and “The Grace Awards” to bring dance to underserved communities.
Lorii is a Navigator for The Greater Columbus Arts Council and a member of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women-NC100BWCOC. Recognized by the Columbus City Council and Congress, Lorii continues to use the arts as a platform for advocacy and community transformation.
Kennedy Kandi
Kennedy Kandi is a performer across multiple art forms with a concentration in dance. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kennedy recently graduated from Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary program.
Her work has afforded her opportunities to perform at the FISU World University Games, The World Trade Center’s Perelman Performing Arts Center Opening, Playbill’s Broadway Cares series, where she’s performed with numerous Broadway artists, including the cast of Hamilton and Aladdin, SKIN Dance Company under the direction of Tina Thompson, and alongside Daniel Gold choreography where she’s performed with several artists featured on a top Emmy-award winning reality show.
Though grateful for the opportunity to pursue her dreams in New York City, Kennedy’s love for dance and roots run deep in Columbus, Ohio – first with Leap of Faith Dance Studio, and then Generations Performing Arts Center, New Salem Baptist Church Dance Ministry, Tapestry Performing Arts and Fort Hayes Performing Arts High School.
In 2024, Kennedy was nominated for Best Actress at the New York Theater Festival for her role in “The Merchant of Curamo” with African Theater Inc.
Kennedy hopes to inspire the next generation of artists and provide joy to all she encounters. According to Kennedy, “As an artist, I have no attachment to perfection, but fearlessly trust my body and mind to do whatever is needed.”
Leah Blunt
Leah Blunt is a sixth grader at Grace Christian School. She dances under the direction of Samara Tillman at Dance Elite Performance Academy. She started dancing shortly after walking and was born for the stage. Besides dancing, she enjoys shopping and spending time with friends and family.