Cocoon Central Dance Team is a New York-based comedy dance troupe made up of three talented women: Sunita Mani, Eleanore Pienta and Tallie Medel. They are each up-and-coming actors in their own right, landing roles in indie films, big music videos and on television. But their work as a trio, as Cocoon Central Dance Team, is what we focus on in this episode because they truly are a remarkably talented, gut-busting, thigh slapping, absurd outfit wearing, glitter throwing, dance-until-you-laugh-until-you-cry group of women. Cocoon has performed at Upright Citizen’s Brigade, MoMa PS1, The Pit, Showgasm with John Early and Cast Party. They’ve opened for Broad City Live, the 2013 New York City Marathon, have been back up dancers for HUSH HUSH and have a successful web series called Rehearsal. Cocoon Central Dance Team breaks rules and plays with the forms of dance and comedy, making them an undefinable act, which is one of the greatest things you can be in today’s comedy and dance landscape.



















VISIT Cocoon's website FOLLOW them on Twitter and on Youtube.

My whole qualm with the comedy scene is that audiences aren’t critical enough. And in the art scene, there needs to be more laughter. There needs to be a little loosening up. And so I think we’re hyper critical of ourselves and I think basically just thinking about taking what we think what other people think and flexing muscles to either fix it or not because nothing is broken, and we get to decide what is valuable criticism.

— Eleanore Pienta, Cocoon Central Dance Team

 
Name: Eleanore PientaCurrent City: New York CityWhat are you listening to now? James Booker - Sunny Side of the Street, Kendrick Lamar feat Anna Wise - RealWhat film/book/show/piece of media changed you? Tamy Ben-Tor's video "Normal".Who is your career role model? Drew BeattieWhat is a tool you can't live without? Tiny spoons. How do you drink your coffee/tea? Coffee with Cream, Tea straight up. What's your spirit animal? African Elephant.  CLIPS FEATURED IN SHOW:Cast Party (Teaser)Uncertain Terms (Feature Film)Inside Amy Schumer - Doggy Daycare (Episode)DJ Snake, Lil Jon - Turn Down For What (Music Video)See You Next Tuesday (Feature Film)HAPPY a show by Eleanore Pienta (Teaser)Hounds of Love by Kate Bush (Song)Cocoon Live at the Moon - Baseball DanceREHEARSAL: Bloood (Episode)REHEARSAL: Talking and Dancing (Episode) REHEARSAL: Excerpt from the Motion Picture Bouncin' (Episode)2013 NYC Marathon Opening Ceremony CREDITSProduced by Elaine Sheldon & Sarah GinsburgSound design by Billy WirasnikSound recording by Henry MolofskyIllustration by Christine CoverProduction Assistance by Alijah Case
Name: Sunita ManiCurrent City: Brooklyn, NYWhat are you listening to now? I'm sprung for Justin Beiber's "Sorry" and for Wye Oak's album "Shriek" What film/book/show/piece of media changed you? Seeing Maya Rudolph on Saturday Night Live. I didn't realize until later that she was such a strong benchmark for me. I hadn't seen a woman of color on SNL yet with such a variety of talents--musical, comedic, and a strong stage presence. She also had the ability to represent many ethnicities which was a strength! I think I had only thought of ethnicity on TV as a limitation at that point? Or maybe I just didn't have the possibilities in mind until I saw her do it first, especially being associated with a comedic institution that I was obsessed with at a young age!Started reading the new Ms. Marvel comic book series with Kamala Khan as the hero. It gives me hope and makes me feel strong.Really want this piece of media to change me so I keep listening to it: Audre Lorde reading from her essay "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as PowerWho is your career role model? Rihanna. She has such a coolness and almost laziness about her; she seems so comfortable with herself. I like how much she changes her look while still making THE HITZ.What is a tool you can't live without? notebook and an ink penHow do you drink your coffee/tea