South Orange Performing Arts Center presents
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
in
AWAKENING
Featuring
NAI-NI CHEN
GRETA CAMPO, ETHAN
GWYNN, SONNY SHIU, EVAN MATTHEW STEWART, YUKA NOTSUKA,
RIO KAKUCHI, &
CANDACE JARVIS
sopacnow.org/events/nai-ni-chen-dance-company
(973)
313-2782
April 10, 2021 7:30PM
This hour-long collection of
choreographer NAI-NI CHEN’s recent works highlights her intense distinctive
vision and amazing talent for conveying the deepest emotions through seemingly
effortless movement.
“Truth Bound” (2019) was inspired by all the free
newspapers and junk mail that arrive unbidden and smother us daily. The dancers
are completely covered in crumpled newsprint, which adds its own sound to the
performance. After much struggle, they rip the papers off, shredding them,
tossing them, until only they, simply dressed individuals, remain. They have
found truth not in words, but in freedom. NAI-NI CHEN leads them elegantly to
the light with her white glowing paper lantern.
In “Introspection”, the
dancers use flashlights to illuminate themselves and the other dancers on the
pitch-black stage. Through the interplay of light and shadows, we see the same
people as ever-changing images through the prism of multiple perspectives.
NAI-NI CHEN uses light to powerful effect, awakening us to the reality that
nothing is static. The blink of an eye can transform our perceptions of
everything and everyone.
“Luminescence” (premiere) confronts the
choreographer’s increasing dependence on the power of nature to help her remain
physically and mentally resilient during the pandemic. In this ode to nature’s
grace, NAI-NI CHEN reminds us that we are not the only life form on earth. To
discover the beauty in nature and to respect and protect the environment are
vital to our survival.
Shadow Force (premiere) is one of the darkest
dances the choreographer has made. It embodies the struggle of the nation and
its people to stay united despite powerful opposing forces.
NAI-NI CHEN
is herself a force of nature. She and her dancers embody grace, power, sorrow,
glory, and joy through their flawless, flowing movement. The viewer is drawn in
by the beauty and grace of it all. A wonderful performance, as always.
-Karen D’Onofrio-