Princess Lockerooo
General Artist · Teacher · Performer
Samara Cohen-O’Neal, professionally known as Princess Lockerooo, is a dynamic choreographer, producer, and cultural leader whose groundbreaking work in Waacking has been featured in The New York Times, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and America’s Got Talent. With a career spanning over 30 countries, she has performed and taught alongside icons like Madonna, Jody Watley, and Icona Pop, using dance as a platform to amplify LGBTQIA+ stories and foster cultural connection. As an event producer, Princess has been producing her annual dance festival, Waack to the Future, at House of Yes for over a decade, showcasing Waacking’s evolution and cultural impact. Her production credits also include curating entertainment for prestigious corporate and nonprofit entities such as Fashion for Development (United Nations), the First Lady’s Luncheon, and the New York Botanical Garden, blending artistry and advocacy to create powerful, inclusive experiences. Princess is the founder of The Fabulous Waack Dancers, the only Waacking company in the U.S., which has performed at iconic venues including Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, Jacob’s Pillow, and The WOW Festival at La Jolla Playhouse. Through her work, she honors Waacking’s origins in the Black, gay underground clubs of 1970s Los Angeles while pushing it forward as a global art form. In 2022, she launched the Waack Dancer Training Program (WDTP), a revolutionary initiative that educates dancers in Waacking’s technique, history, and club culture, offering scholarships to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students. WDTP has partnered with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to archive the oral history of dance legends like Bill Goodson, ensuring Waacking’s legacy is preserved for future generations. Currently, Princess is co-directing a feature documentary on Waacking with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Aaron Matthews and developing her original musical, Paradise Ballroom, which received a residency at New York Stage and Film and continues at Musical Theater Factory. Through all her work, she remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation to embrace their identities, honor Waacking’s queer roots, and dance unapologetically.
About Me
Samara Cohen (Princess Lockerooo) is a visionary leader in the dance industry, celebrated for her expertise in producing, public speaking, event curation, directing, and choreography. As a Bessie award-winning Breakout Choreographer and nominee for Sustained Achievement from the RSA, Princess is also the founder of The Fabulous Waack Dancers, the sole Waacking dance company in the United States, supported by Works & Process. The Fabulous Waack Dancers have graced esteemed venues such as Lincoln Center, The WOW Festival San Diego, and The Guggenheim Museum, dedicated to preserving the rich history of Waacking. Princess's impact transcends her artistic achievements. She is a fervent philanthropist and LGBTQ rights activist, producing entertainment for Global Ambassadors at the United Nations event F4D and collaborating with organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Omomuki Foundation, The Center, GMHC, and NYC Pride. Her productions have been showcased globally, including Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, NYBG, Summerstage, Women's Entrepreneurship Day, HATCH, Original Thinkers, ASAP NextGen, and the United Nations. Recognized by prestigious press outlets such as the New York Times, Princess Lockerooo has graced the cover of the Sunday Times Metro section for her pioneering work in the resurgence of Waacking. Her influence has been highlighted in Brut, Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, The Medium, Document Journal, and Get Out Magazine. In addition to her artistic and philanthropic pursuits, Princess Lockerooo collaborates with her husband Harold O'Neal as co-creator of the musical "Paradise Ballroom," supported by the Musical Theater Factory. The show secured a prestigious residency with NYC Stage and Film, concluding its summer season in 2023, and continues to thrive with support from Works & Process, The New York Theater Barn, and its current residency at The Musical Theater Factory, showcasing Princess's multifaceted creative talents. Princess Lockerooo continues to produce her international Waacking Festival "Waack to the Future" and The Fabulous Waacking Festival in NYC. She is actively developing new work for The Fabulous Waack Dancers, furthering her commitment to innovation in Waacking. As CEO and Founder of The Waack Dancer Training Program, Princess has single-handedly cultivated the NYC Waacking scene. The program offers collegiate-level courses, fostering a tight-knit community that not only trains dancers but also provides cultural experiences through nightclub visits to learn about drag culture. It offers work-study opportunities and scholarships to BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ dancers, empowering them to express themselves through dance.
Quick Info
- Specialties
- General Artist • Teacher • Performer
- Dance Styles
- queer Waacking Disco whacking punking
- Based In
- New York, New York
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