Dancestry: Illuminating the Past, Inspiring the Now

Shay Ishii Dance Company presents Dancestry…Beckoning, a celebration of artistic heritage and revival of historic dance. Beckoning showcases masterworks of modern dance pioneers Isadora Duncan and Erick Hawkins alongside the reimagined work of Loïe Fuller. The program culminates with premiers by the artists who have studied and embodied the technique, philosophy and choreography of these dance icons. These contemporary works are set on young dancers from Austin and Texas State University, inspiring the next generation. Dancestry traces dancers and choreographers across generations with a rich historical narrative and contemporary voice. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Featured Works: 

            Isadora Duncan: Many Faces of Love

            Erick Hawkins: Pine Tree and He and She Snowing, from Eight Clear Places

            Loïe Fuller: Reimagining of Fire Dance

And new works by Meg Brooker, Katherine Duke, Jessica Lindberg Coxe, LeAnne Smith and Shay Ishii.

Collaborating Artists include: Meg Brooker (Artistic Director of Duncan Dance Project), Jessica Lindberg Coxe (Lindberg Slayter Reconstructions), Katherine Duke,  (Artistic Director of Erick Hawkins Dance Foundation), LeAnne Smith (Director of Dance at Texas State University)

The Austin American Statesman named Dancestry

“Best of Austin Arts in 2015: Fresh and Forward Thinking”

Dancestry received the Austin Critics Table Award 2015-16 for  “Short Work” and

was nominated for “Concert,” “Ensemble,” “Dancer,” and “Lighting Design”

Official website:  shayishiidanceco.com

Photo credit: Amitava Sarkar