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Finding My Dance: a book reading & The Story of Us
 with Ria Thundercloud & Charlique C. Roell

Friday, July 28th @1pm
Egg Harbor Public Library
Donald & Carol Kress Pavilion
 7845 Church St, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
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Indigenous dance artist/children’s author Ria Thundercloud, of Ho-Chunk Nation and Sandia Pueblo, will make her way to the Egg Harbor Library to share Finding My Dance, the beloved true story of her personal journey of dance and how it helped her take pride in her heritage. Following  Following Ria’s reading, Kress will welcome Charlique C. Rolle, who will lead an all ages improv workshop called The Story of Us. This workshop explores the connection and intersection of personal and community narratives and healing through dance, writing, voice, and other modalities that weave personal stories and experiences into a collective story of us. 

“My name is Ria Thundercloud, I am a mother, professional dancer, bead enthusiast, artist, designer, activist, bursting with decolonial love whose art is influenced by my Ho-chunk and Sandia identity. My arts speak through movement and vision, often bringing to light my political concerns of dignity and human rights. I am dedicated to the development of my art and education while holding strong ties to the north and south with kinship to my tribal communities in Wisconsin and New Mexico, which contribute to my diverse and broad experience with regional indigeneity. My cultural experiences have inspired the range of artistic expressions seen in my art which I create through the integration of traditional imagery and modern stylistic conventions. My art honors my culture and family while celebrating the persistence of native America that speaks of truth and healing.”
Charlique C. Rolle is an arts administrator, interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, director, producer, playwright, actor, writer, curator, and Executive Director of Congo Square Theatre. Rolle holds a BA in Dance (Summa Cum Laude) from Missouri Valley College with minors in Theatre and Business, an MA in Ministry Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and an MBA from Concordia University Chicago. A Bahamas native, Rolle’s passions are telling Black stories, creating works that catalyze healing, freedom, and transformation, and providing resources and structures for communities to breed creative freedom, sustainability, and longevity. Rolle is the President of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago, Treasurer of the League of Chicago Theatres, a member of the Arts Alliance Illinois Arts Leadership Council, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, was named as one of Newcity’s Players 2022: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago, and is 2023 IMPACT Fellow with the Chicago Urban League and University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Additionally, Rolle serves as the Associate Director of the August Wilson New Voices national and Chicago competitions in partnership with Derrick Sanders (Associate Director of Drama at Juilliard) and the Goodman Theatre. Rolle is also an Adjunct Professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University
Presenting Sponsor-
​Twisted Tree Door County

Supporting Sponsors-
Donald & Carol Kress Pavilion
The Egg Harbor Library
Header Design & Photography: Charlie Stephens // Allison Evans at Wild Nest Photography
Ria Thundercloud Bio Photo: Leroy Grafe
Charlique C. Roell Bio Photo: John R. Boehm