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 Tatiana “Tanya” Armendariz began hosting weekly popping sessions, which officially became known as the Shadow Puppetz Sessions by September 2019. What started as a humble, local gathering quickly evolved into a transformative grassroots movement, driving the cultural resurgence of funk dance styles in both Chicago and the greater Midwest.

Between 2019 and 2021, Shadow Puppetz went through several iterations, gradually evolving as new members joined. As the crew solidified into its current form, our scope expanded from focusing solely on popping to incorporating various funk dance styles including robot, animation, locking, waving, and tutting. This growth allowed the crew to embrace a broader range of techniques and perspectives, contributing to the diverse artistic expression that defines Shadow Puppetz today.

A pivotal moment came in October 2021 when we launched our inaugural event, Nightmare on Rockwell St. The event attracted over 80 attendees from 8 different states, reflecting the rising interest in popping specific events. This early success laid the foundation for Out of the Shadows, our annual flagship event, which debuted in May 2022. Now attracting over 200 participants annually from 24 states and 8 countries, Out of the Shadows has become a cornerstone of the Midwest popping scene, showcasing Shadow Puppetz’s influence on a national and international level.

Today, Shadow Puppetz continues to host weekly sessions, guest workshops, intensives, and various events year-round. Many of our members remain active and competitive in popping and animation battles across North America, proudly representing Chicago and the Midwest on the national stage.