Meet Zoe Rappaport | Creative Movement Director/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoe Rappaport and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zoe, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Following the path of a Dance-Artist is one of the most risky adventures one can take in this life. One enters this field knowing there are zero guarantees and with the odds stacked against you. On top of that, I haven’t chosen any kind of traditional trajectory — even within dance or the arts. Creating my own path seemed to have always been in the cards for me… my parents and much of my family did the same. The process can be incredibly challenging at times; the reward, on the other hand, is infinite and boundless as it is intrinsically yours. My favorite thing in life is the Unknown… and as an Artist I have the privilege of interacting with the magic of this space on a daily basis.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Grounded in the belief that movement was born to bring people together and communicate beyond words, my artistry aims to co-create spaces in which people feel free to show up exactly as they are in order to work collaboratively to bring innovative artistic visions to life that transcend our current reality. I have spent the last 15+ years investigating and invested in the spaces in which the many art forms I practice & enjoy intersect with community. This is not an easy venture. There is no pathway involved. It takes longer. Through it all, I have trusted my instincts and allow things to unfold.

This creative process has led me to my latest endeavor, Storytelling Through Movement — a boutique & independent company based in LA/NY that provides movement direction/choreography, casting & booking for movement-based artists (professional dancers, DJs, models & musicians) as well as creative production (HMUA, Art Dept & Styling). While I had planned to launch pre-pandemic in March 2020, I decided to soft-launch instead. Everything in divine timing 🙂

The transformative nature of dance has the ability to transcend access & abilities; backgrounds & borders; creeds, continents; genders and generations. At Storytelling Through Movement, we have a distinct understanding of how culture moves, and offer an authentic & unparalleled perspective within and beyond the commercial industry. Working with global brands, artists & publications, Storytelling Through Movement aims to creatively push the envelope to challenge the status quo and what constitutes art for the people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would make sure my best friend came to Los Angeles on a Sunday evening and I would bring her to Utopia — a high-vibe, sustainable & inclusive party with a purpose where soulful house music meets spiritual dance experience. Rooted in Leimert Park, Utopia Tribe got its start during the pandemic in Spring 2021 as it was envisioned, created & hosted by KG Superstar aka “The Voice of a Great Time” along with DJ Ade. Utopia now takes place on the rooftop of Mama Shelter in the heart of Hollywood. During my 7 years in LA – Utopia is what I have been looking for. Wherever you are at in life… Utopia uplifts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have been influential in my life, it would be impossible to name them all, so I will just choose 3!

World-renowned jazz choreographer Adrienne Hawkins has been a mentor to me since I was 14 years old when I first walked into her dance studio. I was the youngest & smallest by far of anyone taking class at Impulse Dance in Boston, MA! Adrienne welcomed me — and anyone who walked into her studio — with open arms & an open heart, and has continued to impact my life in a myriad of ways within dance and beyond. I recently had her in as a guest teacher with my college dance students, which was a full circle moment 🙂 My idea of what true community looks & feels like comes in large part from the vibe & energy Adrienne created with Impulse.

I would also love to shout out legendary makeup artist Linda Mason, who took me under her wing when I was a broke 22 year old dancer on my way to unemployment in New York (literally). A block before the unemployment office, I walked into Linda’s shop, The Art of Beauty in Soho, NY and after a brief conversation, she ended up hiring me on the spot. Three years later, I not only became a makeup artist under Linda’s direction, but had the rare opportunity to collaborate with her and her incredible team of creatives. Linda is a true artist, and working with her undoubtedly changed the trajectory of my life…leading me to work in the makeup department on shows like So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Got Talent…and fusing my passions for dance, art and body paint.

Lastly — I am humbled to shout out Award-Winning Director/Choreographer Sarah Elgart, whom I met when I first moved to LA 7 years ago. I have worked with Sarah as a dancer, assistant choreographer and for the last 3 years have served as the creative producer for her Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival — a live & online film festival dedicated to democratizing dance by bringing it out of studios & theaters and into public space to be accessed by all. Sarah has influenced my artistry & life in countless ways…from sharing a love for site-specific performance to dance film to educating the next generation of dance-artists. My work with Sarah brings me back to why I dance… and it is truly a blessing to learn from and work closely with her every day.

Website: www.storytellingthroughmovement.com

Instagram: @zoe.rappaport

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-rappaport-00507938/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoe.rappaport

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdyHHVliWRBNHIBr_QhcPw

Image Credits
Andreea Radutoiu (main photo + B&W) The others are all stills from live site-specific/immersive performances & dance film projects.