Kristi Faulkner is a choreographer, performer, filmmaker, educator and activist. Based in Detroit, she operates under the philosophy "dare to be different" - creating thought-provoking, visceral experiences that generate meaningful conversation and social exchange. Faulkner creates highly physical and humorously theatrical work that embodies difference and challenges gender roles. Her work challenges and excavates ideas about sensuality, strength, authority, disgust, attraction, and objectification while centering on authenticity and shedding the artifice of technically-focused performance to show what makes us human in ways that are relatable, yet sometimes uncomfortable. Performing everywhere from warehouses to community centers, from museums to the middle of the street, Faulkner believes in making dance accessible and empowering audiences to connect with their world. Community engagement is integral to her artistic practice. She has led local community workshops at Lafayette Community Gardens, Affirmations LGBT Center, Light Box, Detroit Contemporary, Ponyride, and the Allied Media Conference in addition to master classes and residencies at numerous universities, studios, and festivals across the country. Faulkner's work has been presented and commissioned throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York including the Center for Performance Research, Dixon Place, Going Dutch Festival, Spring to Dance Festival, Wealthy Theater, Sidewalk Festival of Performing Arts, Niagara Fringe Festival, the University of Rochester, The College at Brockport, Oakland University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Embracing her thirst for collaboration, Faulkner has worked on projects with Mahogany Jones, Pat Roan Judd, Sergio De Giusti, A Host of People, CMAP-Carrie Morris Productions, Shua Group, Dance in the Annex, and Detroit Dance Collective. Her dance films have been screened at Chez Bushwick's Kinetic Cinema, Alternative Arts Association NYC, Jam Handy, Cinetopia, and Detroit Film Theater. Her newest film, "Party of One", created in collaboration with Gold House Media was awarded the audience choice award at Moving24fps Detroit and will be presented at ScreenDance Miami 2018. Faulkner holds an MFA in choreography and performance from The College at Brockport, State University of New York as well as dual degrees in dance performance and theatre from Bowling Green State University. She currently is on faculty at BGSU, where she is regularly commissioned for her choreography, and Wayne State University. She is a 2016 Maggie Allesee Choreography Award finalist for her work "OBject/obJECT", and was awarded a New Leader Grant from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs in 2017. She is also a Knight Arts Challenge winner for her project "Not in My House" - a collaboration with the Ruth Ellis Center to engage and inspire LGBTQ youth through performance and storytelling.