People
Stephen Clapp
Director of Racial Equity and Creative Producer
Stephen Clapp (he/him/his) is a Filipino-born cultural strategist, equity consultant, performing artist, and choreographer. Stephen is co-founder of Dance Box Theater with his creative and life partner Laura Schandelmeier, and he is a co-owner of DC Vegan, the national capital region's premier plant-based delicatessen and botanical bar specializing in cruelty-free and sustainable practices. His creative work aims to build social capital among communities with engagement through choreographic inquiry, devised theater performance, anti-oppression curriculum development and training, anti-racism facilitation, equity-based strategic planning, organizational development and cultural equity consulting.
Stephen’s approach to community engagement and organizing employs movement-based arts-integration strategies that foster self-determination, innovative thinking, open dialogue, collective decision making, power analyses, resource development and creative problem solving. Stephen has served as a Grants Manager for Dance Place, Executive Director for Dance Metro DC, and Executive Director for Dance Loft on 14.
With over 25 years of leadership experience using the arts as a tool for grassroots community development and creative changemaking, Stephen understands that the transformative evolution of individuals, communities, organizations and their systems is essential, valuable and timely. As a cultural worker, his creative practices are rooted in moving away from racist, neo-colonial and otherwise oppressive and problematic tendencies; towards a vision of equity, diversity and justice, where culturally marginalized voices are centered, honored, activated and celebrated.
Stephen holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from George Washington University, he was a 2021 fellow with the Intercultural Leadership Institute, was a 2023 cohort member of the artEquity BIPOC Leadership Circle, serves as Co-Chairperson for the Pola Nirenska Dance Award Committee, and serves as an ex officio member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors for Alternate ROOTS. Stephen is delighted to work with the Dance Exchange team as Director of Racial Equity and Creative Producer.
