In recognition of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company took to the stage at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, showcasing a performance aimed at exemplifying the multifaceted nature of the United States. With the world premiere of "Unanillusion," the company presented dancers from an array of cultural backgrounds, specifically from China, Italy, Canada, and Panama, according to a PIX11 News interview with cofounder Andrew Chiang.
Chiang, who co-founded the company with the late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen, reflected on their mission stating, "We’re creating something that blends and allows the conversation between cultures to happen. This is why me and Nai-Ni started the company, and this is the reason why we feel it’s important to keep Nai-Ni Dance Company going." Andy Chiang was Nai-Ni Chen's husband, the visionary behind the dance company's establishment in 1988 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Nai-Ni's work was fueled by a vision to capture the essence of America's diverse culture, a legacy that continues to resonate with the company's dancers and audience alike. Nai-Ni Chen passed away at age 62, but her influence endures through the company's ongoing performances, as reported by PIX11 News.
The concept of capturing the melting pot ethos is palpable in Nai-Ni Chen's choreography, which takes Taiwan-born dancer KiKi Tseng "back to the intention of where I come from, why I dance," as she told PIX11 News. Audience members, such as Gracie Jordan, highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in New York's artistic sphere, stating, "It’s really important to support different cultures and not stay in your bubble. And especially in New York."
Up next, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is slated to appear at the Montclair Dance Festival where they will present "Shapes of Water," as reported by BroadwayWorld. The piece is said to depict a nocturnal urban landscape, where individuals drift through the city like ephemeral apparitions, akin to water's ever-changing form. The evening will feature diverse performances from a range of dance companies, including Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Freespace Dance, and New Jersey Ballet, among others, ensuring a wide spectrum of artistic expression is on full display come May 31.
