Broadminded was founded by hula hoop artist and theater-maker Revolva, who launched the project as a way to honor her transition into her 40s — and to prove that women are relevant and powerful forever. Revolva's performance work has been featured in Vice, HuffPost, TMZ, Jezebel, SF Weekly, Detroit News, Portland Mercury, and more. From spinning hoops on every limb to challenging who "belongs" on stage, her goal is to help audiences envision new, wonderful possibilities.

Chanteuse and creative mastermind Grace Detroit is the founder of Detroit’s beloved, long-running jazz and variety show Torch With a Twist, which featured some of Detroit's hottest musicians and skilled variety acts. The vaudeville-meets-live-music revue wowed crowds for years at the legendary Cliff Bell's jazz club. These days, you can catch Grace belting out hits around town with "Grace and the Guys," and you won't want to miss her in her full variety show glory at Broadminded Detroit!

After rocking the stage with our west coast Broadminded cast, this L.A.-area bellydance dynamo is ready to shimmy for Detroit! From her extensive background in classical dance forms, Leela brings fun and excitement to her popular performance style, delighting crowds with contagious enthusiasm and playfulness. LeelaBellyDance Productions has performed internationally, receiving rave reviews for their imaginative, inventive style, humor and choreography.

Nandita Bajaj is the Cultural Ambassador at Center for Performance Arts and Learning (Cen4Pal) in Wixom, MI, a welcoming hub for all forms of performing and learning. Nandita recently led a group of Cen4Pal dancers to perform at the first-ever Diwali Dance Fest at Disney World. An entrepreneur, a teacher, a dancer, and a “student for life,” Nandita was born and raised in India and has lived in the Metro Detroit area for over 25 years. Her goal is making the arts accessible to all.

Helen Pontani is burlesque royalty, co-founder of the World Famous Pontani Sisters dance trio, icons in the burlesque revival movement. This Detroit-area original made it big in NYC and toured globally, starring in the Off-Broadway hit This Is Burlesque, with appearances on Conan, Gossip Girl, Queer Eye, and more. Now she’s back in the city where it all began — and you can see this queen, affectionately known as “The Tapping Tornado,” live at Broadminded!

Patreze Brinkley is the founder and Anjela Moore is Vice President of The Detroit Stylin' Skate Club (DSSC). These passionate skaters have showcased their talents nationally and globally. Patreze has taught everywhere from Barcelona to Paris, Anjela has skated in parades from Detroit to West Virginia, appearing on the TV show "Soul on Wheels." The DSSC has become a hub for skaters to hone their skills while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Detroit Style skating.

Lily LaRue is a multi-talented burlesque performer, pin-up model, and actress who has graced stages and screens across the country. A Michigan native, she launched her performance career in Detroit, eventually relocating to L.A., where she was a regular burlesque and pole performer at Hollywood’s iconic bar Jumbo's Clown Room.  She has film credits in “The Woman” (2011) and “Mosquito Man," and we are ecstatic this captivating beauty is joining our Detroit show!

Heather Kyles is a seasoned comic originally hailing from Detroit, MI. She launched her comedy career in 2015 at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Comedy Stand-Up Class. Now 10 years later, you can find her entertaining audiences all over the region — from the “mitten state,” to Illinois, and Ohio. This Motown funny girl also has acting chops, and you can check her out in the hilarious role of ex-reality star Ophelia Sparks in the comedy series “The Agency” on Tubi. It's filmed in Detroit!

Shelly brought the house down in our west coast cast! She holds titles including 1st Runner Up at the 2010 USPDF West Coast Regional and the 2011 Pole Burlesque Competition. She was a finalist in the 2013 and 2016 National Aerial Pole Art Competitions, 2013 California Pole Dance Championship, 2011 and 2012 USPDF Championships, and 2010 East Meets West Tripole Challenge. Competing against women half her age, Shelly's strength, artistry, and stage presence put her on top.

Internationally renown circus and dance artist Valentina grew up belly dancing with her mom, Leela, and their teacher Mesmera from the tender age of 12. After adding hooping and hoop burlesque to her repertoire, this seasoned performer landed on national TV in HBO’s “Live Nude Comedy.” She and her husband, circus artist Bags, own San Diego's Twisted Orbit Circus Entertainment. Valentina and Leela are combining their extensive talents for a Broadminded duo act!

A MAJOR inspiration to Broadminded, Sandy is still rocking stages at age 81 with San Francisco’s The Golden Follies, a high-energy, Las Vegas-style revue. Sandy is a lifetime dancer whose career took her from the midwest, to the east coast, to California, where she danced in the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker (at age 42!) and was an early member of the Golden State Dance Team. We're thrilled Detroit gets to experience this icon!

A theatre artist for over 30 years, Kate is the Director of Education at Michigan Actors Studio. Some of her favorite productions are “Baggage,” written by her friend the late Chuck O’Connor; “Waking the Witch” at Hamtramck’s Planet Ant Theater, which she conceived, directed and co-wrote with an incredible cast of women; and “A Doll’s House Part Two,” which she directed at Tipping Point Theatre. We can't wait to feature her character skills and her voice on stage throughout the night!