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

Tristian, 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?

Collaboration. That’s the base to the most meaningful projects. To have a conversation with another artist about ideas, themes, and vision surfaces profound productions. I have been blessed to collaboration with some incredible artists. To name a few, Calvin Arsenia, Wolfe Brack, Andy Newcom & Marn Jensen (Art of the Wish), Glenn North, Jose Faus, and so many more. But if there was one project that I would pick out from the others it would be Palimpsest. Palimpsest is my choreographic vision merging the many talents of Kansas City and Lawrence artistic community with a multifaceted production featuring dance, spoken word, music, visual painters and sculptures. During the installation process, all the artists involved come together and merge their talents into one voice. This production is so meaningful to me because I am able to facilitate a world where the audience can experience a wide spectrum of different artistic voices.

Tristian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. I moved to New York to work with Garth Fagan Dane Company (choreographer of the Lion King the Musical) for about 4 years. From there I began freelancing and started choreographing around the U.S. In 2018, I came back to KC and started working with local companies/organizations like ArtsKC, Charlotte Street Foundation, Wylliams-Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Storling Dance Company, and Friends of Alvin Ailey. Later that year I started my own dance company, Tristian Griffin Dance Company. The company started very small with only 5 dancers and quickly grew to 9-12 dancers. TGDC has been commissioned by Nelson-Atkins Museum, KC Fringe Festival, Midwest Trust Center (JCCO), City in Motion’s Modern Night at the Folly/Gem, Lawrence Arts Center, Spring to Dance (St. Louis), Malashock Dance Company (San Diego, CA), Island Moving Company (Newport, RI), Perpetuum Mobile Festival (Belgium), and International Dance Festival (Philadelphia).

TGDC is a company reflecting the culture in KC. Diverse, Versatile, Eccentric, Accessible, and Trailblazing. As a company, we continue to challenge audiences with thought-provoking narratives, conceptually engaging choreography, and visceral experiences. The foundation of all of my work is to rekindle high-caliber dance in atypical venues – where they can be experienced by atypical communities – and to give the underrepresented a voice through movement, text, and music. Throughout my work, there is an undertone of acknowledging human conditions with pressing questions of how to move toward a solution. One of the primary motives behind TGDC is increasing accessibility to dance for audiences that might not otherwise experience it or seek it out.

For more information and upcoming performances please visit, tgdancecompany.com

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is the modern agent for communication and publicity. I utilize the various social media platforms to promote my art, my projects, my vision, and the results. I plan ahead when it comes to creating content for platforms. Sometimes it’s whimsical but mostly its planned so my vision and the brand is consistent and has a progression. That’s a weak point I’ve seen in a lot of emerging/amateur creatives. There’s no development of an idea or vision and the platform lacks depth. The other strategy is to captivate viewers/consumers within a few moments. Content must have a strong first impression.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Networking has been the best source of new clients. Social media platforms, radio/news interviews, are great however networking has been the most effective. Connecting with the community through outreach programs, coffees with fellow artists, and lunches with representatives from corporations. I’ve found creating relationships is the key to authentically build a supportive foundation. Tell people your story and your vision and why they should support your passions and your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: tristiangriffin.com / tgdancecompany.com
• Instagram: @tristian_griffin / @tgdanceco
• Facebook: Tristian Griffin DCo

Image Credits
Photos by Ryan Bruce and David Pugh