Speak
A sensational kathak and tap collaboration created and choreographed by
Rukhmani Mehta, Rachna Nivas, Michelle Dorrance, and Dormeshia
“…an evening of rhythmic magic.”
– Los Angeles Dance Chronicle
“…a sunny break from our me-first fractured world.”
– Los Angeles Times
About Speak
Indian kathak dance and American tap dance, continents and ages apart, share parallel stories of struggle and perseverance. They come together in this sensational collaboration that is rhythm, poetry, storytelling, music, and dance. SPEAK carries forward the legacy of iconic artists like Pandit Chitresh Das, Dr. Jimmy Slyde, and James Buster Brown, while bringing to the forefront the voices of powerful female artists. Serving as the bridge between tradition and innovation, history and progress, Rukhmani Mehta (previously Rina Mehta), Rachna Nivas, Michelle Dorrance, and Dormeshia create nothing short of magic on the stage. Joined by the world’s leading Indian classical and jazz musicians, SPEAK promises to thrill, provoke and move your spirit.
Original Musical CastDrums & Composer: Allison Miller |
FundersMid Atlantic Arts Foundation |
Show Information
Run Time: 90 minutes
Cast: 4 dancers, 6 musicians
Concept: Rina Mehta & Rachna Nivas
Choreography: Rachna Nivas, Rukhmani Mehta, Dormeshia, Michelle Dorrance
Original Score: Jayanta Banerjee, Allison Miller, Carmen Staaf
Lighting Design: Dave Robertson
Sound Design: Brian Mohr & Neil Skacel
Technical Rider: Click here to download
Booking Information:
Carrie Jennings
Bookings Manager
bookings@leela.dance
775.560.2598
What Audiences Are Saying
“The East spoke to the West without using words. It made you feel nothing else matters as long as we can experience beauty like this. Humanity will triumph in-spite of all the adverse events happening around us.”
– Shreeraj Karulkar, SPEAK audience member
“These women welcome the collision of their individual genres, using their art as a container for the larger conversation about connection. The reach across the perceived divide engages, entertains and educates.”
– Amy Seiwert, Artistic Director of Amy Seiwert Imagery
Selected Performances & Residencies
NC State Live, Residency and Performance, Raleigh, NC
Page Theater, Virtual Residency, Winona MN – Click here to watch residency programing on youtube
Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Residency and Performance, Maui, HI
University of Hawaii, Residency and Performance, Hilo, HI
Kahilu Theatre Foundation, Residency and Performance, Waimea, HI
Epicentre, Performance, Gurgaon, India
GD Birla Sabhagar, Performance, Kolkata, India
Royal Opera House, Performance, Mumbai, India
Broad Stage, Performance, Los Angeles, CA
Selected Press
SPEAK Connects the Dots Between East & West with Global Message, Big Island Music Mag
American troupe treat Mumbaikars to an evening of Kathak and Tap dance, Times of India
Rhythm Speaks, Asian Age
Tapping into Kathak, Mid-Day
Dance Card: Indian kathak dance and American tap will meet as equals in SPEAK at Z-Space, San Jose Mercury News
Leela Dance’s SPEAK mixes kathak and tap, SF Gate
Rhythm unites tap, Indian classical dancers, SF Examiner
Leela Dance set to bring two powerful kathak performances to California, India West
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