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-