Gideon Lorete is a dancer, actor and singer from Cleveland Heights by way of Saipan. He is very confident in his Spider-Sense. Gideon will perform at Wandering Aesthetics‘ “Bigger Than a Breadbox: Akron’s Legends of Tomorrow” on Saturday, November 17.
Describe your legend: In the far future, what will people say about you?
People would describe me as a driven person willing to do whatever it takes to change the history of where he came from and create a different story and a new history. They would probably call me crazy and mad… but brilliance was evident within my madness.
Gideon Lorete rehearsing for Bigger Than a Breadbox. (Photo: Wandering Aesthetics)
Who/ are the legends that influence(d) you as a performer?
My mother, father, and Michael Jackson all influenced me as a performer.
What is your artistic origin story?
I was born and raised on a not quite fairy-tale island called Saipan where wherever you went, you could not escape from culture, dance, music, and stories. Every month, my mom and I took advantage of the festivities on the island. I was so hypnotized by the cultural dances during these events that I began to study these dances. I stumbled upon a Polynesian dance studio called Tekanaha’u Nui. I soon found myself practicing with them and eventually found myself on stage and competing with other groups. Since then, I’ve continued practicing and performing the Polynesian dance arts.
Describe your superhero costume.
My costume would be a hybrid between Aquaman and Spiderman. Aquaman because I grew up pretty comfortable with performing half naked and I am convinced the less clothes on me, the better I perform! Spiderman because I’ve been in a Spiderman suit more than any other costume in my life, so I feel like Spiderman is part of my identity.
Who is your arch nemesis?
Venom!
What do you hope to express through the medium of dance?
Through dance, I have learned how to perform with passion and feeling. Through this medium, I’ve been given the opportunity to learn to express many different types of emotions… I hope to give others this same opportunity to find themselves and their own energy.
Out of your performances to date, what’s your favorite?
The most memorable performance I’ve shared in would be my university’s senior capstone cabaret “This Life is a Masterpiece”, which I worked on in collaboration with a great friend, Samuel McIntosh. It really gave me the medium to express and explain a major change I was making in my life as a human and an artist. The most recent collaboration I took part in was Vibe Collective’s “Until Name Becomes Prayer” as William Nu’utupu Giles’ powerful slam poetry brought the spirit of home back to me again… connecting the bridge between an imperfect America and the spirits and culture of home in the islands.
Can you teach me how to Dougie?
I’m not sure what kind of Dougie you would like me to teach you but I could teach you my kind of Dougie… Anytime!
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Join Wandering Aesthetics for another rendition of Bigger Than A Breadbox, Akron’s rousing variety show.
“Akron’s Legends of Tomorrow”, the third #AkronBreadbox production, features a diverse array of artistic talent as they explore legends in Akron, from past to present.
This live vaudeville performance explores Akron’s cultural heritage and celebrates those artists who work to preserve it.
Featuring music, comedy, poetry, art (and a few surprises), this variety show has something for everyone!
“Bigger Than a Breadbox: Akron’s Legends of Tomorrow” takes place on Saturday, November 17 at Bricco Prime (4315 Manchester Road, Akron) in Portage Lakes. Tickets are $20 per person or $30 for two and are available at https://www.watheatre.com/boxoffice.
