iDENTIFIED: Coalescing Our World
An evening of new artistic works from our 2025-26 Resident Artists including Tiyumba & Away Runakuna new work Gunggong & Bombo: A Drum's Tale! We are thrilled to continue our celebration of 30 years of nurturing creativity and connection in South Minneapolis with these new performance pieces!
Meet the Gunggong & Bombo: A Drum's Tale! Production & Performance Team
Tiyumba West African Dance & Drum Co.
Tiyumba is led by choreographer and master dancer/drummer Fatawu Sayibu who is from the northern region of Ghana. They are a traditional West African Drum and Dance Company located in the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area.They are a multinational performance group with current members from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and the United States.
Tiyumba African Drum and Dance Company regularly performs at schools, universities, theaters, festivals and cultural events throughout Minnesota and all over the U.S. Tiyumba, which means “let’s love them” in the native Dagbani language of Ghana, offers energetic and interactive performances that convey the beauty and history of African culture through traditional dancing, singing and drumming.
Performer
DirectorSiddeeqah Shabazz
Siddeeqah Shabazz is an Oakland, CA–born actor and arts educator with degrees in theatre from the University of La Verne and the Guildford School of Acting in England. With over 20 years as an actor and a decade in arts education, she has served as a teaching artist, youth coordinator at Pillsbury House + Theatre, and education manager at the Guthrie Theater. She has worked extensively with youth from diverse backgrounds and now serves as Executive Director of Kulture Klub Collaborative. Siddeeqah is also a consultant with Put Ur Play On Productions in Oakland and has performed with numerous theaters in California and Minnesota. A burgeoning playwright and director, she is also an enthusiast of Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and fiber arts.
Away Runakuna Dance Ensemble
PerformerThe mission of Away Runakuna is to learn, teach, and preserve the diverse traditions of Ecuador through the art of dance. Away Runakuna was formed by a group of talented youth and adults who are dedicated to sharing the Ecuadorian heritage within folkloric arts. The name of the group comes from the indigenous language of Kichwa that translates to "Weaving Our Identity."
The group focuses on sharing traditions from all regions of Ecuador: Coast, Andes, Oriental, and Galápagos. The work within their dance projects forms a bridge for the Ecuadorian community to build a stronger connection with their ancestral roots; and for other communities that are interested in learning about Ecuador through dance classes and presentations. Each project brings a new traditional experience for everyone to learn, celebrate, and preserve the richness in Ecuadorian culture either as a dancer or audience member.
Story DevelopmentExposed Brick Theatre
Founded in 2004 by Aamera Siddiqui & Suzy Messerole, Exposed Brick Theatre is dedicated to telling untold stories, centering omitted narratives and creating art at the intersection of identities.
Their vision is to live in an empathetic world where people and their stories are valued. They believe that telling untold stories will make the world more just. When silenced narratives are shared, authentically and truthfully, and aren’t shaped by a dominant cultural lens, empathy, understanding and truth prevail.