Managing Director

High Concept Labs (HCL) strengthens the creative sector by providing accessible residency programs for artists across disciplines interested in experimentation, discovery, exchange, and risk. Through these residencies, HCL meets artists where they are while promoting visibility for the creative process and advocating for critical investment across every stage in the development of new work.

Missi served as HCL’s Managing Director from 2020 to 2022, navigating the complexities presented by the pandemic while focusing on strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, production, and operations. During her time with HCL, Missi collaborated to institute the first artist stipends offered by the organization and restructure the artist in residency program, building infrastructure around them that is adaptable and sustainable.

PRODUCER

This NYE, The Fly Honeys invite you to shake off the last two years - where maybe you were the Only Body - and step into your full and unapologetic self in a joy-bomb of live performance, dance, music, and nightlife extravaganza. They’re bringing their friends, and all of their bottled up energy, to take over Thalia Hall with this one-of-a-kind party experience where you have permission and a place to get fly, get loud, and (finally) get together.

THE FLY HONEY SHOW

For 10 years, pre-pandemic, The Fly Honey Show has amassed a community of thousands, both onstage and off, who flock to the annual production - a raucous re-imagination of the classic cabaret whose mission is to shout a feminist agenda through body positive and identity celebratory performance works.

Recognized as a "Chicago institution,” and voted “Best Dance Producer” by the Chicago Reader (2019), The Fly Honeys were created and are led by Choreographer Erin Kilmurray. Along with Missi, who leads from a business perspective, the duo devise an entire team of makers to develop deeply feminist works that culminate in an intimate + explosive extravaganza. Kilmurray’s creative vision brings together high-energy dance, massive ensemble of novice and professional performers alike, and a rotating set of Chicago’s premiere performance artists, all set to a 9-piece live band — and ignite the room with a massive joy-bomb that gets the body moving.

What began in 2009 as a one night event with 30 performers for an audience of 200 people transformed to a month-long, always sold out, summer extravaganza — One that you just have to be there to experience — Something Fly Honey community members (self-proclaimed “The Hive”) won’t let you forget.

In addition to the annual event, and sharpened throughout the pandemic, The Fly Honeys (a core group of creatives and performers that is ever evolving and expanding) create experiences both intimate and explosive that stretch beyond the annual event and make you feel good; including workshops, listening parties, at-home-videos, gathering spaces, and pop-up events.

As Producer, Missi works closely with Kilmurray to operate the business and production in a manner deeply rooted and reflective of the projects mission to expand femininity, embrace the body and self, and show up for each other. Missi focuses on strategic planning, general management, operations, production, marketing, branding, business development and audience services.

Created and Directed by Erin Kilmurray

2019 Chicago Reader | Best Dance Producer

2018 Newcity Stage | Best Sex-Positive Dance to become an Institution