Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brianna Campbell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brianna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is two parts. The first part being the journey and creation of my professional contemporary dance company “STYX The Company”. Having the ability and confidence to start the process and have the foundation to create an artistic company was hard. It started with me finding a co-director for the company to help with the work load and creative direction. Then came the audition for the company. I had established my name here as a choreographer in Miami for about 2 years, so fortunately we had an incredible turnout at the audition. From there we needed to fundraise and obtain non-profit status (501c3 status). That’s a mountain in itself to get ahold of. From there we started training the company, holding rehearsals, and putting on professional contemporary shows around South Florida and South Carolina. The first year was an incredible success which my intellectual side perceived to be a failure while my heart and soul knew that this was going to be the best decision of my life. Fast forward about a year and a half and now I have produced, directed, and choreographed by very own show, “The Teller”. This show was multi-media contemporary show with theatrics. The process initially began when choreographing for another show in Charleston. I had created a piece inspired by steampunk designs and quirky movement to classical music. We didn’t even realize until after it was performed that a whole show storyline was presented in this piece. This was back in June of 2023. I spent an entire year making my vision come to life. We wrote monologues, designed projections, built props, created music, designed costumes, and of course choreographed about 1 hour and 30 minutes of movement to represent the story. The Teller premiered in June of 2024. The amount of dedication my company had to their individual characters and to my vision was incredible. They are truly the reason why this project soared the way that it did. After every time it was performed everyone was hooked to the Teller’s story and world. Aside from my emotional and physical connection to this show, my dancers are constantly saying how much they miss the process of creating the show and performing it. Now, December of 2024, we have been asked to present “The Teller” in other theaters. That is honestly the greatest honor as choreographer and artist to have someone pay you to bring in your work rather than funding it all on your own. Stress shouldn’t be involved in art but we have to start somewhere.

Brianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Brianna Campbell, a native of Charleston, South Carolina is currently choreographing, teaching, and creating works of art through movement and film. Campbell is a 2019 Dance major graduate of Charleston County School of The Arts. “Through Campbell’s unwavering commitment and authentic artistry she is a wonder to watch. Fluid and dynamic, still and vibrant, her movement is almost preternaturally expressive. This is a young woman who is aware of the power of intentionality, who possesses a deep reverence for nuance and a raw gift for channeling authentic emotion into dance. Her sense of humility seems to rise from a deep well of compassion for the human experience, attributes that are indispensable in the progress of an aspiring dancer. At her core, Brianna is an artist who is, quite simply, present” (Yusha Soranzo). Her past works include “Doorway Effect” – exploration of the mental block in the brain when stepping through a doorway, “Cave of Hands” – inspired by the connections humans have to nature and all its elements, and “The Teller” – full length theatrical contemporary show – an anthology based story. Brianna currently runs her own film production company – “Zenki Productions LLC” established in 2019 and is the current director of Miami’s newest non-profit professional contemporary company “STYX The Company” established in 2022. STYX The Company travels to Charleston once a year to perform full-length works.

In a nutshell, I am a freelance artist. I make my own schedule filled with choreographing, filming, performing, and cultivating my artistic journey. My production film company’s goal is that we are always striving for greatness and looking to take the next step in the creative film & dance industry. Zenki is a place for all artists that are eager and hungry to create. STYX The Company on the other hand is a collective of professional movers who have dedicated their craft to both concert and commercial styles of dance. The foundation of this company lies in contemporary and ballet. The goal of STYX The Company is to bring together artists who are passionate about their craft, eager to train with others, and want to invite people into their space with authenticity and vulnerability.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I knew more about non-profit funding and its resources within the arts. It is hard to direct 20 professionals and have them look up to you in such a light when you are also trying to learn the ropes and find proper funding for the company. Fortunately, every year we are learning more and able to raise funding in order to cover everything. These dancers should be getting paid beyond adequately for what they put their bodies through. Of course we love it at the end of the day, but we need to make a living while doing it too! My knowledge in grant writing and submitting to grants is limited. I do wish I learned more about how to write grants in order to bring proper funding to the contemporary dance world. We are doing well, but I believe there is always room for growth both artistically and financially.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe that as a society dance is somewhat taken advantage of. People tend to always go the Nutcracker at the end of year but there is a small percentage people who continue to pay to go see professional dance shows. Dancers need constant support financially throughout the year in order to bring you the Nutcracker you go to see every year during the holidays. I like to use the analogy of football since almost everyone is connected to it someway. You don’t just wait to see if your team made it to the Super Bowl to watch them do you? No, you watch their games all season and support them financially by paying for your tv subscription. It is the same with professional dance companies. The best thing you as an individual can do to support artists and other creatives is by showing up. It’s that easy! Don’t wait for the next one or think “eh they don’t need my support, I’m sure everyone else will go”. The upsetting thing is that everyone expects to be invited to things or given a discount. Discounts won’t support professionals. Pay the ticket and acknowledge their worth as artists. And if you can’t make it to their shows, still buy the ticket to support or donate the ticket amount. We all think that our hometown has small thriving creatives. Which we do! However, they can’t stay put in the city you love because they aren’t being supported financially. Just show up to keep your creatives where they belong!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zenkipro.com
• Instagram: @briannacampbell02
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.campbell.5477/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@STYXTheCompany

Image Credits
KJ Aultman & Hannah Mayfield