Donald C. Shorter Jr.

This piece investigates disruption of the body while deconstructing gender norms found in concert dance.

Choreographer/Performer: Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Drag, song, dance, story telling, and improvisation collide into an explosive performance where artist Donald C. Shorter Jr. asks the question, "What does it mean to be visible as an LGBTQIA person in a suburban or rural area?" Filmed and edited by Flores from Watcheye Studios.

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A Guide to Breathing Underwater follows a person’s quest to find solace in his body. Using dance and gesture, shadow and light, we see him traverse through New York City, looking for his utopia.

When he finds an open space overflowing with air and water: an exhale. Finally, he can be still.

CONCEPT & PERFORMANCE / Donald C. Shorter
DIRECTION / Raven Jackson
CINEMATOGRAPHY & EDIT / Felipe Vara de Rey

FROM SCRATCH, choreographed by Donald C. Shorter Jr. in collaboration with the dancers, is an abstract work that redesigns the stage floor allowing it to become a playground where the dancers navigate intricate pathways.

Choreographed by Donald C. Shorter Jr. in collaboration with the dancers of the Maverick Dance Company

Man vs. Machine. 

A dancer enters a world of technology and struggles to navigate his way. Who is leading who? Is it the dancer or the technology? 

The digital imagery is being performed live by Yuli Cai through the use of interactive program coding via Java Processing. The dancer's movements are being tracked by a motion capturing device (kinect). 

The collected data from the motion capturing device is being translated into a audio score mixed live by Aaron Montoya-Moraga.

"Where No One Could Find Us" is a site specific dance where a group of individuals discover each other and create a safe haven. Live harpist, Alaina Graiser creates an environment of peace, mystery, and joy. This pieces connects music, nature, and dance.

Choreographer: Donald C. Shorter Jr.

This piece was inspired by nature. It was originally commissioned for the JCC Houston’s Choreographer’s X 6 program in the spring of 2019. It was later performed in an outdoor nature space. This performance is from the spring dance concert at Sam Houston State University.

Choreographer: Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Harpist: Alaina Graiser

“I created this piece because I desired to connect live music, dance, and nature into a living experience.”

Fashion and graffiti art of Bushwick, BK serve as inspiration for movement. 

Wardrobe - RHLS

Choreographer/Dancer/Editor - Donald C. Shorter Jr. 

This piece integrates dance and interactive coding. Live program coders Yuli Cai and Aaron Montoya-Moraga created the digital world in which the dancer interacts with and responds to.

The dance is lit by two overhead projectors and uses two motion capturing devices (Kinect) to track the body in space via infrared depth tracking. None of the digital imagery is pre recorded. 

Choreographed/Dancer: Donald C. Shorter Jr.
Program Coder/Performer: Yuli Cai
Program Coder/Performer: Aaron Montoya-Moraga

Francesca performs "Gotta Move" by Barbra Streisand. 

STATE OF MIND is a short film that highlights the intimacy and beauty found through the experience of power exchange in BDSM/leather/fetish/kink.

Producer/Director/Performer: Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Cinematographer/Editor: Max Skaff

Featuring: Sir Malice and boy Donald

2022 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:

Seattle Queer Film Festival

NewFest

London Fetish Film Festival

2023 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:

Hump Film Festival

Bishopsgate Kink Archive

Toronto Queer Film Fest

Donald C. Shorter Jr. is a co-host of Season 2 of First Person PBS, which is a web series that explores narratives of people in the LGTQIA communities. Donald speaks with host Jack Ford about his role as a host and how he wishes to bring visibility of people who are gender nonconforming.

I am interviewed about how I navigate the world with a varied sense of gender expression. I talk about my one-woman show GENDERSOITY and how I created it to help bring visibility and awareness to those who are transgender and or gender nonconforming. 

This pieces explores my feelings of anger, angst, depression, and fear after I settled a gender discrimination lawsuit that lasted for over 2 years (http://bit.ly/2tOtWlr). What was most shocking about the case was the discrimination came from two gay employers. Unfortunately, G.E.N.D.A (The Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act) was not an active law during our lawsuit so we had to sue under gender discrimination. In the introduction, statistics are presented to inform the audience about the sad truths that trans and gender nonconforming people face daily at the levels of employment, housing, public accommodation, and education.

This performance was dedicated to trans activist Sylvia Rivera. The audio is taken from her 1973 Stonewall protest speech where she was prohibited from speaking at the rally despite her community efforts to create resources that provided trans, gender nonconforming, and non binary people with access to education, employment, and housing. Performing this piece serves as a reminder to people in the LGBTQIA+ community of how we can negatively treat and or judge others within our own community.

In celebration of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, ICON Leiomy Maldonado joined the NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network and the LGBTQ Student Center to lead a workshop about the history, culture, and fundamentals of the iconic dance style: voguing. LEIOMY MALDONADO An internationally-recognized vogue dancer and instructor, Leiomy Maldonado has been wowing audiences and blazing trails since the age of 16. A Bronx, NY native, Leiomy was introduced to voguing through NYC’s underground “Ballroom Scene”—an extravagant community created by impoverished Black and Latino LGBT youth to safely express themselves and revel in the allure of fabulous pageants and dance battles designed to mirror the wealthy lifestyles they so often dreamed of living. As a young transgender woman, Leiomy found acceptance, a sense of community, and safety within the scene. Known as the “Wonder Woman of Vogue,” Leiomy made history as the first transgender woman to appear on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” and has gone on to work with artists such as Willow Smith, Icona Pop, and FKA Twigs. In Pride Month 2017, Leiomy starred in Nike’s #BeTrue campaign, and became the second-ever transgender athlete to be featured in this role. She will be joining the cast of "POSE" for their second season. Event sponsored by the NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network Event created and moderated by Antony Chu, Director, NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network With support from NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network Co-presidents Anna Zuccarro & Michael Gamber Special thanks to: Catherine Hall, Assistant Director, Alumni Affinity Programs, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations Chris Woods, Director, NYU LGBTQ Center Lukas La Riviére, Program Administrator, NYU LGBTQ Center

For the final live episode of First Person PBS, season 3, the co hosts discuss what it means to redefine the term safe space. Shot on location at the Hetrick-Martin Institute in NYC. Featuring co hosts Aaryn Lang, Tonilyn A. Sideco, Kirya Traber, and Donald C. Shorter Jr.

This video is features the cohosts of First Person PBS. First Person PBS is a web-series that focuses on issues of gender and sexuality by highlighting the heroes in the LGBTQIA communities. In this video the cohosts hold a discussion around the question, "How Did We Get Here? The Realities and Expectations of Coming of Age.” Follow our reflective, intergenerational journey into the LGBTQIA+ experience.

Filmed on location at the Facebook Headquarters in NYC. Cohosts: Donald C. Shorter Jr., Kirya Traber, Aaryn Lang, Tonilyn A. Sideco.

Fist Person PBS Season 2 co-host Donald C. Shorter Jr. talks with feminist, poet, performance artist, mother, and lesbian Staceyann Chin about growing up gay in Jamaica and how she uses words as source of power to incite change. 

First Person PBS season 2 co-host Donald Shorter speaks with trans activist Nala Simose about her journey of being a trans woman of color. During the episode Nala informs others how they can become an ally for the LGBTQIA community. 

In 2018 Gilt.com partnered with the Trevor Project by creating a “THIS IS WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE” campaign. This campaign celebrates and showcases the diversity found in the LGBTQIA community.

GENDEROSITY is a 70min multi-media interdisciplinary solo performance piece that uses the personal narrative of creator/writer/performer Donald C. Shorter Jr.'s drag transformation process to talk about his life experience of being a gender nonconformist and how drag has been a route to radical self acceptance.

Themes explored in the work examine gender identity, gender expression, self-hatred, internalized homophobia, and self acceptance. 

Director - Matthew Mohr

Lighting Designer - Ashley Ryan Breeler

GENDEROSITY: PHYSICALIZED asks the questions where do our ideas of masculinity and femininity come from, and how do you physicalize gender?

Choreographer/Performer: Donald C. Shorter Jr

The Power of We is a short documentary film that asks the question, “What does it mean to be visibly LGBTQIA+ in a suburban or rural area?” Three brave individuals present the ways in which they are unafraid to live authentically in Conroe, TX. Dynasty Banks, a bipoc drag queen, shares her story of how drag is a means to self acceptance. Debbie Steele, a lesbian bar owner, talks about how she has persevered in order to make safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ folx in her local community. Jhon embodies their queerness through the art of dance.

Director, Producer, Cinematography: Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Assistant Director, Editor: Tina Vaden

Music: Wynee Bennett

A video postcard. 

NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate students Yuli Cai (ITP), Aaron Montoya-Moraga (ITP), and Donald C. Shorter (Tisch Dance) combine video projections, dance, live music, and 3D image scanning technology to create a piece where a human can interact with his avatar. Shot and edited by Donald C. Shorter Jr. 

Shot and edited by Donald C. Shorter Jr. 

Guest Choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith 

Choreographer: Stefanie Batten Bland 

Giada Ferrone talks about teaching in the department of dance at Tisch School of the Arts as well as being the Associate Artistic Director of the Second Avenue Dance Company.

Department Chair Sean Curran talks about the BFA Dance program at Tisch School of the Arts.

Dancers: Stanley Gambucci & Owen Prum

Choreographer/Videographer/Editor: Donald C. Shorter Jr. 

Glitterazzi Productions talks with Sasha Velour, Season 9 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, about how drag can be catalyst for change in the world but also within the LGBTQIA community. 

A BTS shoot done on set for Sasha Velours new product line featuring t-shirts, pins, and comic books. 

When I went to RuPaul’s Dragcon NYC in 2017 I was inspired by the community of queens, kings, and those in-between. I documented the two day convention and asked everyone one question, “Why Dragcon?”

Director/Videographer/Editor - Donald C. Shorter Jr.

GLITTERAZZI PRODUCTIONS washes on the shores of the Fire Island Pines to celebrate the INVASION! The invasion started as an act of rebellion after a few drag queens were denied service in a gay bar in the Pines because they were in drag. Decades later, the protest remains to show that we must fight for equal rights even against gay oppressors. 

In celebration of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, ICON Leiomy Maldonado joined the NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network and the LGBTQ Student Center to lead a workshop about the history, culture, and fundamentals of the iconic dance style: voguing. LEIOMY MALDONADO An internationally-recognized vogue dancer and instructor, Leiomy Maldonado has been wowing audiences and blazing trails since the age of 16. A Bronx, NY native, Leiomy was introduced to voguing through NYC’s underground “Ballroom Scene”—an extravagant community created by impoverished Black and Latino LGBT youth to safely express themselves and revel in the allure of fabulous pageants and dance battles designed to mirror the wealthy lifestyles they so often dreamed of living. As a young transgender woman, Leiomy found acceptance, a sense of community, and safety within the scene. Known as the “Wonder Woman of Vogue,” Leiomy made history as the first transgender woman to appear on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” and has gone on to work with artists such as Willow Smith, Icona Pop, and FKA Twigs. In Pride Month 2017, Leiomy starred in Nike’s #BeTrue campaign, and became the second-ever transgender athlete to be featured in this role. She will be joining the cast of "POSE" for their second season. Event sponsored by the NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network Event created and moderated by Antony Chu, Director, NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network With support from NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network Co-presidents Anna Zuccarro & Michael Gamber Special thanks to: Catherine Hall, Assistant Director, Alumni Affinity Programs, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations Chris Woods, Director, NYU LGBTQ Center Lukas La Riviére, Program Administrator, NYU LGBTQ Center

This is a behind the scenes look at the final day of "CONTEMPORARY DRAG." A program for NADA New York featuring art work, performances, panels and more with NYC LEGENDARY drag queens curated by Gordon Robichaux (the artists Sam Gordon and Jacob Robichaux).

Uncredited video:
Matt Savitsky with Danny Sygar

GLITTERAZZI PRODUCTIONS shot on location in Bushwick, Bk at The Rosemont, a local queer establishment providing a safe space for those in the LGBTQIA community. 

GLITTERAZZI PRODUCTIONS shoots behind the scenes footage from the third installment of Sasha Velour's, Season 9 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, drag evening NIGHTGOWNS at National Sawdust in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

Artist Ben Copperwheat talks about his journey in fashion as a print designer and his relationship to color. More inforomation about Ben please see the link below. This episode has been brought to you by GLITTERAZZI PRODUCTIONS. 

Ben Copperwheat: http://www.bencopperwheat.com/

Camera/Editor - Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Artist Ayo Janeen Jackson talks about her new piece "A Million Miles between Slavery and Freedom."

Camera/Interviewer/Editor- Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Brooklyn Drag LEGEND, Merrie Cherry performs "Four Women" at Contemporary Drag, which was apart of New York Art Dealers Alliance in NYC 2017. 

Fiber artist Rachel Singer talks about how she uses various fabrics to knit wearable art. 

For more info on Rachel and how you can buy her products click here: http://www.sparkleprincess.co/

2018 GILT.COM PRIDE “THIS IS WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE” AD CAMPAIGN.

2018 GILT.COM PRIDE “THIS IS WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE” AD CAMPAIGN.

2018 GILT.COM PRIDE “THIS IS WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE” AD CAMPAIGN.

This picture was taken from my Bushwig performance titled "Sylvia's Protest!" I chose to use my stage time to channel Sylvia Rivera. In 1973 she was refused the ability to speak at the Gay Liberation March held in Washington Square Park, NYC. When she got onto the mic she let out her rage, sadness, and frustration that her own community would deem her unfit to speak despite the mass efforts she and others in the trans community were providing people with the resources to better their lives. My performance stopped the show to bring awareness to how we might negatively treat to our own kind within the LGBTQIA+ community. Photography by Travis Magee.

2018 GILT.COM PRIDE “THIS IS WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE” AD CAMPAIGN.

The cast and crew of FIRST PERSON PBS celebrates their two NY EMMY nominations.

Chantal sings an opera aria during the opening number of "We Are What We Are" on the 1st National Broadway Tour of La Cage Aux Folles starring George Hamilton. 

La Cage Aux Folles 1st National Broadway Tour

Zaza, played by Christopher Seiber, stands as the front woman with her army of cagelles. 

Artist Donald C. Shorter Jr. examines his feelings of anger, depression, fear, frustration, anxiety, and angst after facing gender discrimination due to his gender expression. The word GENDA is short for GENDER EXPRESSION NON DISCRIMINATION ACT. If the law had passed GENDA, Donald would've been able to file his lawsuit under that clause.

Premiere: National Sawdust - Williamsburg, BK 2017

Creator/writer/performer Donald C. Shorter Jr. transforms into his drag alter ego Francesca. His one-woman show uses transformation to explore themes of self-hatred, internalized homophobia, and self-love.

Leah Cox and Donald C. Shorter Jr perform "Duet."

Choreography: Bill T. Jones

Photos by Hannah Larson

The Muny 2018

Choreography: Donald C. Shorter Jr. Photo by Lynn Lane

Choreography: Donald C. Shorter Jr. Photo by Lynn Lane

Photography by Lynn Lane

Photography by Lynn Lane

DONALD C. SHORTER JR. sings Gimme The Ball from the Broadway Musical A Chorus Line.

Moonage Daydream is by David Bowie and is being covered by Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Wicked Little Town is from the Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch and is being covered by Donald C. Shorter Jr.

Ya Got Me is from the Broadway musical On The Town and is being covered by Donald C. Shorter Jr.