TUSHRIK FREDERICKS
SOUTH AFRICAN MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATIVE WORKING ACROSS DANCE, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND MOVEMENT DIRECTION
ARTIST STATEMENT
I’M A MULTIDISCIPLINARY DANCER, CHOREOGRAPHER, AND PERFORMER, AND MY WORK IS REALLY ROOTED IN EMBODIED EXPERIENCE. I’M INTERESTED IN EXPLORING ALTERED STATES, HUMAN EXPRESSION, AND HOW MOVEMENT CAN SHIFT THE WAY WE FEEL AND THINK. FOR ME, THE BODY HOLDS MEMORY, EMOTION, AND IMAGINATION, AND DANCE BECOMES A WAY OF ACCESSING THOSE DEEPER LAYERS.
I’M ESPECIALLY DRAWN TO DANCE THAT ISN’T VIEWED THROUGH A EUROCENTRIC LENS. I CARE ABOUT EXPANDING HOW MOVEMENT IS UNDERSTOOD AND VALUED, AND I’M CURIOUS ABOUT PRACTICES THAT COME FROM DIFFERENT CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES AND LIVED EXPERIENCES.
OUTSIDE OF DANCE, I’M REALLY INTERESTED IN PSYCHOLOGY, PHILOSOPHY, AND SCIENCE. I THINK A LOT ABOUT CONSCIOUSNESS, BEHAVIOR, AND HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE WORLD. ALL OF THAT NATURALLY FEEDS INTO MY CREATIVE PROCESS. IT SHAPES THE QUESTIONS I ASK, THE SPACES I CREATE, AND THE KIND OF WORK I WANT TO MAKE AND SHARE.
.
MOVEMENT TO EXPRESS HUMAN EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
TUSHRIK FREDERICKS (HE/HIM) 2026 TED FELLOW IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATIVE BORN IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. HE WAS FIRST DRAWN TO THE EXPRESSIVE AND VISCERAL LANGUAGE OF KRUMP, WHICH CONTINUES TO INFORM HIS PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL APPROACH TO PERFORMANCE.
FREDERICKS IS A RECIPIENT OF THE PRINCESS GRACE AWARD (CHRIS HELLMAN DANCE HONOR), NOMINATED IN 2021 BY TRIBE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SHAMEL PITTS. HE GRADUATED FROM THE PERIDANCE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CITY IN 2015 AND HAS SINCE WORKED WITH ATE9 DANCE COMPANY (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DANIELLE AGAMI), SIDRA BELL DANCE NEW YORK (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SIDRA BELL), AND UNA PRODUCTIONS (CHUCK WILT). FROM 2016–2018, HE SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT LECTURER TO SIDRA BELL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS IN PHILADELPHIA, TEACHING SOPHOMORE STUDENTS.
IN 2021, FREDERICKS RECEIVED 3RD PRIZE FOR DANCE AT THE SOLO TANZ FESTIVAL IN STUTTGART FOR THE FIRST RENDITION OF HIS SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED SOLO, “(TERRITORY) OF THE HEART.” IN 2023, HE PRESENTED THE COMPLETED WORK AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN DIASPORAN ARTS IN BROOKLYN, NY. HE IS A RECIPIENT OF THE BARYSHNIKOV ARTS OPEN FALL 2023 RESIDENCY FOR A CO-CHOREOGRAPHED DUET WITH REBECCA MARGOLICK AND WAS AWARDED THE 2024 PRINCESS GRACE SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT.
W O R K S
40 - 60 MIN PERFORMANCES
(territory) of the heart
choreography and performance by Tushrik Fredericks
soundscape by TT Britt
physicalizes the experience of the human heart; grappling with identity, vulnerability and expressing the inner potential that lies within humanity to soar, challenge and find serenity.
to begin with no end
co-choreographed with Rebecca Margolick Lighting by Connor Sale
using spirituality as a vessel for connection and a common denominator between two distinct yet interconnected religions. Empathy, trust, and intimacy are shared within the multitudes of relationships we embody with each other. Grounded in the performers’ religious backgrounds—Muslim and Jewish—they navigate the complexities of their identities to give access to be with each other and see from the other side.
til infiniti
choreography by Tushrik Fredericks
performers: Claude Johnson, Nouhoum Koita, Channce Williams and Tushrik Fredericks Soundscape by TT Britt
Clothing by Dauan Jacari
Lighting by Connor Sale
a dreamlike work that explores the variety of black and brown fantasies and utopias through diverse and multi-dimensional physical expressions of becoming, flourishing, shedding, and primal unity.
C H O R E O G R A P H Y
Meet the 2026 class of TED Fellows
Tushrik Fredericks featured in Fjord - Emergent Summer
Dance Enthusiast Review - til infiniti
Stir Q&A: Tushrik Fredericks and Rebecca Margolick talk trust and spirituality at Dancing on the Edge
