dNaga’s 20th Anniversary Extravaganza

This year the company filmed in the forest, the ocean, underwater, and at the Paul Dresher Ensemble Studio. 2021 marked dNaga's 20th anniversary. When we realized how challenging it was to dance indoors with masks, we began to create art outdoors.

From December 13-19, 2021, we took the film of our outdoor dances and projected indoors at the Paul Dresher Ensemble Studio.

Our lead collaborators—Dale MacDonald, Joel Davel, and Claudine Naganuma—along with our stage Manager, David Young, have been working together for 30 years. We brought together a tremendous team with Solitaire Miguel, Jimi Nakagawa, Candace Gaudiani, and Xochitl Guerrero to help celebrate our 20th anniversary extravaganza. We incorporated projections, taiko, flowers (the musical instrument), silks, dry ice, aerial, and water.

Company Dancers: Selma Apara, Yael Berrol, Shosi Black, Jennifer Chan, Jhia Jackson, Lucie Jerome, Ellie Kerwin, Erin Landers, Leila Massoudi, and Sylvie Rodgers

Guest Dancers: Beth Hoge, Candace Gaudiani, Michelle Johnston, and Xochitl Guerrero

Composer and Live Musician: Joel Davel

Guest Musician: Jimi Nakagawa

Lighting Design: Dale MacDonald

Production, Art, and Mapping: Dale MacDonald and Solitaire Miguel.

During this week we were honored to collaborate with Candace Gaudiani and Noah Lang on Wave Motion.

We’re looking forward to taking a look at all the footage to create a dance film that will be released in 2022.

All photos by Claudine Naganuma.