The story of Shadow Puppetz

Shadow Puppetz was born out of a growing need within Chicago’s dance community: a dedicated space for popping dancers to showcase their dance, hone their skills, and exchange with one another. In March 2019, Alex “Prototype” Malblanc and Tanya Armendariz began hosting weekly popping sessions, which officially became known as Shadow Puppetz Sessions by September of that year. What started as a humble local gathering quickly evolved into a grassroots movement supporting a cultural resurgence of funk dance styles in both Chicago and the Midwest.

Between 2019 and 2021, Shadow Puppetz grew organically as new members joined. As the crew solidified, our scope expanded from focusing solely on popping to incorporating robot, animation, locking, waving, and tutting. This evolution allowed us to embrace a broader range of techniques and perspectives, shaping the diverse artistic identity that defines Shadow Puppetz today.

A pivotal moment came in October 2021 with our inaugural event, Nightmare on Rockwell St., which drew dancers from across the U.S. This early success laid the foundation for Out of the Shadows, our annual flagship event, which debuted in May 2022. Today, Out of the Shadows draws dancers from across the U.S. and internationally, establishing Chicago as a central hub for the funk dance community.

Shadow Puppetz now hosts sessions, workshops, intensives, and community events throughout the year. Many of our members remain active in competitions and performances across North America, representing Chicago and the Midwest on a national stage.