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Stephen Clapp, M.F.A. Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director Principal Consulting Partner resume Stephen Clapp (he/him) is a Filipino-born cultural strategist, equity facilitator, change agent, performing artist and choreographer who maintains a professional creative practice as Co-Artistic Director for Dance Box Theater with his creative and life partner Laura Schandelmeier. Stephen is a co-owner of DC Vegan, the national capital region's premier plant-based delicatessen specializing in cruelty-free and sustainable practices. His creative work aims to build social capital among communities with engagement through choreographic inquiry, devised theater performance, anti-oppression curriculum development and training, anti-racism facilitation, equity-based strategic planning, organizational development and cultural equity consulting. Stephen's approach to community engagement and organizing employs movement-based arts-integration strategies that foster self-determination, innovative thinking, open dialogue, collective decision making, power analyses, resource development and creative problem solving. With over 25 years of professional experience using the arts as a tool for grassroots community development and creative changemaking, Stephen understands that the transformative evolution of individuals, communities, organizations and their systems is essential, valuable and timely. As a cultural worker, his creative practices are rooted in moving away from racist, neo-colonial and otherwise oppressive and problematic tendencies; towards a vision of equity, diversity and justice, where culturally marginalized voices are centered, honored, activated and celebrated. Stephen was a 2021 fellow with the Intercultural Leadership Institute, a 2023 cohort member of the artEquity BIPOC Leadership Circle, serves as co-chair of the Pola Nirenska Award Committee, is an active member of the Board of Directors for Alternate ROOTS, and serves as the Director of Racial Equity and Creative Producer with Dance Exchange. |