Ivan Michael Blackstock’s TRAPLORD
Freesheet
About TRAPLORD
Multi-award-winning dance artist and cultural innovator Ivan Michael Blackstock presents the return of TRAPLORD, an electrifying dance performance meditating on life, death, and rebirth. Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production, TRAPLORD blends dance, theatre and spoken word to explore raw and confrontational themes of mental health and masculinity. TRAPLORD is an invitation to question the stereotyping of Black men in contemporary western society; an attempt to escape from the mental state of being condemned before having lived. Weaving between dream and reality, TRAPLORD charts a heroic journey to self-actualisation.
As we approach the 10-year anniversary of TRAPLORD, I’m filled with gratitude to bring it back home to East London, the very place where it was born. What started as a raw and honest reflection of lived experience has grown into something that continues to speak to the times we’re in. Nearly a decade later, this story still resonates deeply. TRAPLORD keeps reminding me why I show up to tell the stories that matter, to raise the voices that inspire, and to create work that stands the test of time. Returning to the roots of this work feels like both a celebration and a call to keep pushing the narrative forward.
Ivan Michael Blackstock
About Ivan Michael Blackstock
Ivan Michael Blackstock is a South London-born multidisciplinary creative, whose work as an artist, mentor, and cultural innovator has been seen across the Europe’s most iconic venues and beyond.
Ivan is focused on his work as an independent artist, creating thought-provoking and political artistic expressions. His work have been showcased on TV and at iconic venues worldwide, including Sadler’s Wells, 180 Studios, La Villette in Paris, Kampnagel in Hamburg, and ITA in Amsterdam, and is proudly recognized for his award for Breakthrough Cultural Excellence in Film and Video (Nowness Awards 2019), Dazed 100 Shortlist 2021, and his role as contributing editor at Fact Magazine.
His growing success has catapulted his career into a multidimensional innovative space, and he has since founded CRXSS PLATFXRM, an organization platforming talent that constructs new paths for subculture creatives. CRXSS PLATFXRM also delivers high-profile partnership events and consultancy with major cultural venues, brands, and independent businesses such as Nike, Red Bull, Soho House, and UAL: Central Saint Martins.
Now extending his creativity by tapping into the world of film and media, Ivan created TRAPLORD BLK MEME/RA for Channel 4 Random Acts in Autumn 2021, choreographed for Beyonce’s Black Is King and Grammy award-winning music video ‘Brown Skin Girl’, and founded his very own media production company ALTRUVIOLET, for which TRAPLORD is the premier work and winner of Britain’s most prestigious stage honour: the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. His most recent career highlights include serving as Former Artistic Director at 180 Studios and his appointment as Associate Artist at The Southbank Centre announced autumn 2024.
Artistic Team & Credits
Director & Choreographer Ivan Michael Blackstock
Cast Ivan Michael Blackstock, BRNSRGHT, DOMINANT, Kanah Flex, Wild G, Kyron Nykro Jake, Magero, Ophelia Nunes-Wickham, Chaldon Williams
Co-Designers Shankho Chaudhuri, Chloe Lamford
Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi
Sound Designer Luke Swaffield for Autograph
Video Designer Ian William Galloway
Original Costume Designer Saskia Lenaerts
Music Supervisor Torben Sylvest
Associate Choreographer Chaldon Williams
Associate Sound Designer Dylan Winn-Davies
Associate Costume Designer Jess Richardson-Smith
Music by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, BRNSRGHT, CREATXR, DOMINANT, Mindaugas Juozapavicius, Torben Sylvest
Fight Director Adrian Falconer for Taka Strike Club
Production Dramatherapist Wabriya King
Production Manager Mishi Bekesi
General Manager DEM Productions
Company Stage Manager Emma Cameron
Assistant Stage Manager Jamal Ollier
Assistant Stage Manager Ashleigh Weller
Lighting Programmer Luca Panetta
Production LX & Operator Alfie Sissons
Sound No.1 Erik Jackson
Production Sound Engineer Jim Douglas
Video Programmer Grace Priest
