We recently connected with Vanessa Kenney and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

If I had to pick one, it would be the “Independence Day” storytelling show I produced last July. Unintentionally, I ended up putting forth this all-female show amplifying our voices and how we defined freedom for ourselves just a week after American women suffered a huge loss in women’s rights. All of my performers brought so much power, vulnerability, and support for one another. Their stories varied from the power of claiming your multicultural heritage, taking the reins to redefine DEI work to fully embrace diversity, to claiming respect and freeing yourself of toxic relationships. The show was this huge and timely reminder of the resilience and power of women and how art can free and uplift the communities it serves.

Vanessa, 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?

I have performed locally within various art mediums including music, theatre, and comedy for the past 10 years. I am the founder and artistic director for Curiousifi, seeking to create artistic experiences that inspire, spark creativity, and bring joy to artists and patrons alike. I have a bachelors in music performance from Boston Conservatory and now focus on arts education and producing multi-media performing arts events. Each Curiousifi event is completely unique and features a variety of art media such as storytelling, music, comedy, visual arts, and dance.

When I’m not producing or performing in a show, I offer 1:1 speech coaching and group storytelling courses. My understanding of stage presence, narrative, and acting bolster my approach to performative storytelling. My style of storytelling is similar to The Moth, Mike Birbiglia, Brene Brown, and RISK! Podcast to name a few examples. I approach working with clients and performers with the assumption that they have a worthy story to tell – and I have yet to be proven wrong! The greatest gift as a coach is getting to play a part in someone discovering their voice and their worth and being a witness to that transformation. I give people the structure and tools to uncover the stories that are already inside them and the confidence to share those stories with others.

As a producer and coach, I’m proud to create spaces that invite honest and personal artistic expression and amplify stories that might not be heard otherwise. When I see peoples’ eyes light up after a show, performers and audience members alike, I think to myself “Right there, that’s how I know I’ve done something right”. To learn more about upcoming shows and course offerings, visit www.curiousifi.com for more information and subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on social media!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I started Curiousifi because I want to bring forth what hasn’t been done before in an environment that is radically inclusive. There comes a time when you no longer ask for a seat at the table, you build your own. We at Curiousifi seek to make art for arts sake, to create experiences that are unexpected, that spark joy and inspire other artists to explore as well. As artistic director, I am fiercely dedicated to ensuring artists feel respected, valued, and fulfilled during the projects we do together. With every event and course we offer, we seek to build a supportive community that celebrates unity within diversity and invites everyone to come as they are.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was first plotting out my artistic career path, my idea of what it meant to succeed in the arts was very narrow and rigid. So when I found myself at a crossroads, not knowing how to move forward after college, I felt like I had already failed. It was when I started dipping my toes into other art mediums that I started to blossom again creatively. One lesson I’ve learned is to not throw away an opportunity just because it doesn’t come packaged the way you thought it would. I didn’t initially intend on becoming a producer, an artistic director, or even a storyteller, but because I kept an open mind and allowed myself to explore without judgement, I’ve been given opportunities that I otherwise never would have considered an option before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curiousifi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousifi_dallas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiousifi
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/curiousifi_dfw
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO1KfgqXL-Iji7KJH1vlA6A
• Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@curiousifi Linktree: https://linktr.ee/curiousifi

Image Credits
Tina Bui