GILLIAN

RHODES

Performer | Storyteller

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WHO AM I?

An American artist who has spent 10+ years living in Asia (Cambodia, South Korea, Pakistan).
A trained ballet and contemporary dancer and accomplished choreographer.
An avid reader, content and tech writer, astrophysics enthusiast, polyglot, non-binary and unapologetic supporter of inclusive, equitable spaces.

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WHAT DO I DO?

I perform genre-bending dance theatre that prioritizes narrative and emotional arcs.
I create characters and share their stories.
I write and research on a huge variety of topics, from digital arts to cultural exchange.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

Commission one of my characters for special events, corporate trainings, advertisements, and more.
Bring one of my productions to a theatre near you.
Write content, both technical and creative, for a variety of applications.

CHARACTERS

The Sad Clown

Inspired by the iconic "Pierrot" character of French and Italian comedy, the sad clown represents the blurry line between tragedy and comedy and investigate themes of love, hope, and loss.

GIRL IN THE RED DRESS

Ruthless and ambitious, the girl in the red dress is both beautiful and cruel, using her beauty like a whip. Her story explores themes of innocence and girlhood, ambition, and the tragedy of fame, fortune, and loss.

Love the look? Check out character merch at my TeePublic store!

MAN IN THE SUIT

We all know a man in the suit. Loud, crude, overwhelming, bullying, he dominates – until he doesn’t. His journey explores toxic masculinity and corporate slavery.

MONSTER

Monster is the reflection of the other. Alien and unrecognizable, monster is little more than a mirror upon which we throw our prejudices and expectations.

Phone Wallpapers for each character available for download!

PRODUCTIONS

THE CLOWN AND HIS SHADOW

WITH LOVE FROM GILLIAN

GILLIAN PLUS ONE

THE NAME I GIVE MYSELF

SEARCHING FOR PIERROT

THE CLOWN AND HIS SHADOW

In the full swing of Bohemian-era Paris, a young man named Jean-Claude works his way into the mime performances and secures the role of Pierrot, the sad clown. The performance follows the joys and sorrows of Jean-Claude’s career and life, and as he and Pierrot grow ever further apart, he must ask the question: who is Jean-Claude, in the end, and will he ever be free of the character he has come to embody? This production blends live and video elements, featuring Gillian as both Jean-Claude and Pierrot. Premiered February 2024 in Lahore, Pakistan.

WITH LOVE FROM GILLIAN

Blending beloved solos like “Pierrot” and “Big Universe Small Human,” live crowd-sourced improvisations, and Gillian’s self-produced short films like “All This Useless Beauty” and “It was all going so well…”, this show is a testament to the incredible range of the artist. Produced previously in Lahore, Pakistan (2021) and Lausanne, Switzerland (2021).

GILLIAN PLUS ONE

A celebration of the incredibly varied artists in the performance industry in Lahore, this production features 5 collaborations and performances with transgender activist Jannat Ali, folk and kathak dancer Safira Rajpoot, architect Abdullah Hassan, visual and performing artist Sarah Mumtaz and preeminent choreographer Wahab Shah. Each collaboration stands on its own, and together tell a story of the strength of performance now and to come. Produced originally in 2022.

THE NAME I GIVE MYSELF

Every day, we are assaulted by images and labels, whether it be from the internet, advertisements, or family and friends. "The Name I Give Myself" is a story about the struggle to dig past the images and expectations others give us and find the true representation of ourselves. Premiered in 2018.

SEARCHING FOR PIERROT

In this one-person coming-of-age play, Gillian plays multiple characters, telling the story of a young boy growing up in the late 19th century. A surprising encounter with the famous sad clown of the theater, Pierrot, sets off a chain of events that leads the boy through the mimes, the freak show, and the opera. He meets a host of colorful and mysterious characters that prompt him to question what it really means to be remarkable, and what it costs.

BLOGS