PRAIZE PRODUCTIONS
FOUNDED: 2010
Praize Productions, Inc., (PPI) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3, organization housed on the South Side of Chicago. PPI is comprised of three platforms: PPI’s Performing Arts Academy; RIZE Pro-Elite professional dance company and RIZE Youth Company; and our outreach programs.
We create high-quality arts programming that is accessible to our underserved communities in Chicago. Our unique approach to artistry is holistic in style for we wish to develop the full artist by infusing both social and educational approaches rooted in social consciousness.
Our organization and professional dance company have been awarded with both a Black Theater Alliance Award and nine Black Excellence Awards from the African-American Arts Alliance of Chicago.
PPI is known for its thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind theatrical productions and most recent motion picture, which have won countless awards and reached sold-out audiences across Chicago.
Our organization was founded in 2010 by Enneréssa LaNette Davis who serves as the organization’s executive artistic director. Under her direction, Praize Productions continues to bring professional arts-based programming and events that amplify the voices and narratives of Black artists and communities via professional platforms, while purposefully maintaining the richness of community connectedness.
COMPANY LEADERSHIP
PC: Photo of Enneréssa LaNette by Rachel Neville Studios
Enneréssa LaNette,
Founder & CEO
Enneréssa is a multi-hyphenated artist and CEO/Founder of Praize Productions, Inc. As an accomplished writer and choreographer, she has produced eight award-winning, theatrical productions. Most recently, she directed her first motion picture, which was awarded a Black Excellence Award. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Indiana University. She’s a community activist whose work is committed to amplifying the voices of the Black community.
Enneréssa received a CMS Merit Award, an America’s Big Sisters Award, and was named to the Young Women’s Professional League’s “40 Under 40” for her work in the arts. Enneréssa was chosen by Ingenuity to sit on its Public Affairs Collective Impact Panel to improve arts education for Chicago’s youth. In 2021, she was selected to co-chair the Economic Development Pillar for the citywide initiative, WeWill Chicago. In the same year, she led her team as a top finalist for the city’s Art on theMART commission. Recently, she was named Chicago Dancemakers’ 2023 Lab Artist.
PC: Photo of Tashielle Cieara by Rachel Neville Studios
Tashielle Cieara,
Director of Arts
Tashielle Cieara, PPI’s Director of Arts and instructor, grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Tashielle
started training at Hyde Park School Of Dance in Chicago. She received her bachelor’s degree in dance
performance from Illinois State University. In college, she performed in theatre and dance theatre
productions, while serving as president of Noir Dance Troupe, a prominent fixture in the black
community at Illinois State University, which helped to cultivate young Black artists.
Tashielle is a well-rounded dancer, who has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, African, tap, flamenco and hip hop. She has studied with masters such as Joel Hall, Homer Bryant and Pierre Lockette. She is currently working on her second degree in early childhood education with an endorsement in ESL and special education. Tashielle Cieara aspires to dance and have the opportunity to express the importance of the arts for youth.