"An Immigrant's Story" by Wanjiru Kamuyu

  • Sat, Sep 16, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • PS21 Open-Air Pavilion Theater

    2980 New York 66
    Chatham, New York 12037
Ticket Price $10.00-$35.00 Buy Tickets
Description

Wanjiru Kamuyu brings to life emotional stories of immigration through blending different dance styles with painful memories.

In this solo work, Wanjiru Kamuyu explores an immigrant’s place and sense of belonging. She takes us on a personal journey with intimate stories of finding herself uprooted, being different to others and trying desperately to find her place.

Alone on stage, surrounded by 35 black chairs, Kamuyu tells us through her words and dance about the objectification, exotification and racism she has encountered on her travels around the globe. Like a crucible, she combines African, European and American influences in her work. Her nomadic body is an ever-changing map, stylised as something both assimilated and stigmatized: there is a satirical undertone to the performance that is compelling in its straightforwardness.

About the Artist

Dancer and choreographer Wanjiru Kamuyu is associate artist with Théâtre L’Onde Théâtre Centre d’Art, Scène Conventionnée Création pour la Danse. (Vélizy-Villacoublay, France). Born in Kenya, Kamuyu moved to France in 2007, but began her career in New York City. She has worked with choreographers such as Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Bill T. Jones (Broadway musical FELA!,) Okwui Okpokwasili, Molissa Fenley, Dean Moss and in Europe with Robyn Orlin, Emmanuel Eggermont, Nathalie Pubellier as well as Julie Taymor (Broadway musical The Lion King) amongst others. Kamuyu has performed in theater on The Lion King Paris production and FELA! UK production. Her choreographic projects include tours in the US, Africa, and Europe.

credits

Choregrapher and performer: Wanjiru Kamuyu
Dramaturge and producer: Dirk Korell
Texts: Laetitia Ajanohun
Music composition: LACRYMOBOY

With the voices of: Sherwood Chen, David Gaulein-Stef, Naïs Haidar, Karine Hanselmann, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Dirk Korell, Crystal Petit, Monika Schwarzl, Sean Seago
And the stories of: Tout-Monde

Light design: Cyril Mulon
Costume design: Birgit Neppl

 

Special thanks to: Robyn Orlin, Jean Gaudin and David Gaulein-Stef
Executive production: camin aktion
Co-production: Espace 1789 de Saint-Ouen, scène conventionnée de Saint-Ouen
La Manufacture CDCN Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux ‎• La Rochelle
L’échangeur – CDCN Hauts-de-France
Musée National de l’Histoire de l’Immigration

Théâtre de la Ville – Paris
L’Onde Théâtre Centre d’Art, Scène Conventionnée d’Intérêt National – Art et Création pour la Danse micadanses, Paris

Date & Time

Sat, Sep 16, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue Details

PS21 Open-Air Pavilion Theater

2980 New York 66
Chatham, New York 12037 PS21 Open-Air Pavilion Theater
PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century

Established in Chatham, NY in 2006, PS21 supports innovative performing artists and creators and introduces their work to a broader audience, while also providing the surrounding region with opportunities for arts engagement regardless of economic status, cultural background, and age.

 

Five acres of PS21's 100+ acres are developed; the rest are meadows and woodlands. Situated near the theater are the Dance Barn, a rehearsal and performance venue, and two artists’ residences accommodating sixteen individuals. The PS21 property is also host to the Chatham Farm Animal Rescue. PS21's new theater and rural campus are important resources for both visiting artists and the community, optimized for the public's enjoyment and to encourage citizen expression and participation. 

 

The 350-seat theater is a state-of-the-art, green facility offering resident makers and performers the tools and flexibility for successful innovation and collaboration in the development of sophisticated multi-media work. Few other US facilities are able to provide this level of technical support. PS21 operates year-round, supporting performances by and residencies for dancers, choreographers, musicians, composers, actors and creators. The summer season is PS21's public highlight, during which a full calendar of performances is augmented with a myriad of events and workshops, many of which are free of charge and involve community collaboration with the gifted artists in residence.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY
PS21 will take photos of this event for use in social media and on our website. The photos sometimes include audiences. Your attendance at this performance indicates you consent to appear in PS21 photography. If you would prefer not to appear in any photos, please let a staff member know, and we will be glad to accommodate your request.


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