Ri Desta

Ri Desta (they/them) is a human trying their best to survive and make art. They were born in Phoenix, AZ, raised in La Vergne, TN, and received their bachelor's degree in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago. Their work explores methods of performance that center the act of trying, failure, and the process of processing emotion. They hope to create spaces in which they can lay themselves bare in order to grow alongside their audiences. Ri currently lives in Brooklyn, NY but longs for another summer with Lake Michigan in their backyard.

Title of Project

grief 1

Description of Project

Through a retelling of childhood stories surrounding my family, gender performance, and Ethiopian funerary practices, I will create a space for me to process the onslaught of thoughts I've been subject to for the past month. I want to confront my fear of dying, and I want to mourn the loss of my mother in a way I have not been allowed to as of now. How can I repurpose the stages of grief to suit me and my needs? I anticipate this being the first of many performances, as grief is both unending and not linear.

Project Inspiration

My beautiful mom who passed away a month ago. Mommy, everything I do is for you!

Areas of Academic Interest

neo-futurism, storytelling, grief studies, music scholarship, Marxism, queer studies