BIOGRAPHY

Alexis Caputo is a Florida & New York based Multidiscipline Performance Artist, Poet and Writer. Her artistic portfolio began in performance studies and educational theatre. Upon personal exploration, looking at the historical context of women’s contributions in the arts and her contribution to the educational community where her instruction was received, she identified these experiences as chief in her emergence. The interest and strengthening endorsements of her work by theatre scholars Dr. Nancy Putnam-Smithner, Dr. Lowell Swortzell and Playwright, Karen Malpede, all whom she studied under, were instrumental and pivotal references. To this, she has steadily increased her voice beyond the university level as a writer and performance artist creating notable works for theatre. Her course to augment the women’s movement in the arts is evident in her portfolio. Her work includes poetry, spoken word, narratives/texts, audio/media, dance (movement) and visuals (iconic symbols). She has created an impressive and distinct body of originally written and performance work, addressing human rights issues, political, cultural, gender, racial, class and social differences. This has enhanced her cultural awareness while entertaining, educating, sharing history and life-affirming work.

Solo projects written and performed include SOULED OUT, Truths Carved from the Belly, Woman of the Drum, The Proud Pilgrim and Deconstruction & Deliverance, which toured at noteworthy off Broadway theaters in New York (Harlem Theatre Company, Henry Street Settlement/Abron's Art Center & Dixon Place). The Proud Pilgrim, Truths Carved from the Belly & SOULED OUT was presented at the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center in Corona, New York and Woman of the Drum was presented at the Miami-Dade Cultural Center. She represented Delray Beach, Florida as a member of DADA Slam, an assembly of poets who performed at the National Poetry Championships in Madison, Wisconsin 2008.

An important inclusion in her work is highlighting the need to incorporate access to the arts for adults and youth with disabilities. She is the spearhead and director of PROJECT WITNESS, a non-profit organization purposed to support the arts, cross-cultural exchanges and education. Project Witness is endorsed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Division of Life Skills & Special Projects, VSA Arts of Florida affiliated with the J.F.K. Center in Washington, D.C., RUSH PHILANTHROPIC ARTS FOUNDATION and Old Dillard Museum.

Moving beyond artistic roles, she is motivated and challenged by dealing with issues affecting people in real ways to promote social justice. A primary focus is to serve as a stake holder in ceasing violence against women, bringing to light the plights women face in the private and public realms and violence in its diverse forms. Performance, activist related work and writing workshops have been on behalf of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, an organization which focuses on Advocacy, Education & Research, The Lotus House an umbrella project under the Sundari Foundation for women in transition and GAP (Girls Advocacy Project) an organization working with incarcerated youth in the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Detention Center.

Cultural Associations, Community Organizations, Libraries, Universities, High Schools, Writer Associations, Cable Access Programs and Radio outlets have featured Caputo. Caputo's published journalism and writing portfolio are for the news houses: The Tribune & Nassau Guardian (Nassau, Bahamas) Broward Times, Miami New Times & the Miami Times. An honors scholar and graduate, Caputo's education portfolio is from the Universite de Paris, Sorbonne, Tisch School of the Arts & the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University.