Alicia Díaz, Assistant Professor of Dance Agua Dulce Dance ... fileCurriculum Vitae, Alicia Díaz Page 1 19of Alicia Díaz, Assistant Professor of Dance

Curriculum Vitae, Alicia Díaz Page 1 of 19

Alicia Díaz, Assistant Professor of Dance Agua Dulce Dance Theater, Co-Director Department of Theatre and Dance The University of Richmond Email: [email protected] ANNOTATED CURRICULUM VITAE Alicia Díaz—educator and dance artist. Teaching areas of expertise include contemporary dance technique, improvisation, and choreography. Her creative research explores the intersection of somatic practices, improvisation, and choreography to develop an expressive embodied experience. Other areas of particular interest are the role of dance in the making of Latinidad and the contribution of Latino artists in American concert dance. As co-director of Agua Dulce Dance Theater, Díaz is currently involved in collaborations for multi-media and site-specific projects. EDUCATION

2014 The George Washington University, DC M.F.A. candidate. Expected date of graduation Fall 2015.

2004 Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York University.

M.A., Dance and Choreography. Performance Thesis: “Traveling Inward: A Choreographic Methodology” with performance of “Love (in times of war).”

1992 Eugene Lang College of the New School for Social Research, NY.

B.A. with Honors, Art Culture and Society. 1988 Princeton High School, NJ, High School Diploma.

DANCE TRAINING

Present The George Washington University. M.F.A. Dance 2000-2011 Movement Research, NY

2002-2004 Gallatin School of Individualized Study (NYU).

M.A. Dance and Choreography.

1999-2000 Andanza, Puerto Rico 1994-1999 Steps, Peridance Center, Dance Space Center, NY 1990-1994 Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, NY 1990-1988 University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Dance Department, MI 1988 Alvin Ailey American Dance Center Scholarship Program


1982-1988 Princeton Ballet Society, NJ 1973-1982 Escuela de Baile Alma Concepción, Puerto Rico Ballet: Alma Concepción, Janet Panetta, Virginia Griffith, Celia Marino, Marjorie Mussman, Graciela Kozak. Horton: Ana-Marie Forsythe, Julio Rivera, Milton Myers, Tee Ross. Graham: Denise Jefferson, Penny Frank, Peter Sparling, Linda Spriggs, Kevin Iega Jeff. African: Dr. Pearl Primus, Pat Hall. Dunham Technique: Joan Peters, Marcea T. Daiter. Modern Jazz: Lynn Simonson, Katiti King.

SOMATICS TRAINING

2014 Somatic Training for Performers, Wendell Beavers and Erika Berland, Naropa University

2009-2013 Margot Milcetich (Yoga), OH 2005-2012 Integral Yoga Institute, NY 1998-2005 Om Yoga Center, NY 2004 Alexander Technique, Sigal Bergman, NY 2002-2004 Body Awareness (Ann Axtmann, Robin Powel),

Gallatin School of Individualized Study, NYU 2001-2004 Authentic Movement, Ricki Grater, NY 2003 Traditional Thai Yoga Massage Therapy. Certified by Saranya

Thanapichead of Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon, NY. 2001-2002 Capoeira Angola Palmares, Mestre Ombrinho, Mestre No, NY 1994-1998 Jivamukti Yoga Center, NY

WORK EXPERIENCE Directing Experience

2006-Present Agua Dulce Dance Theater, Co-founder and co-director with

Matthew Thornton.

2012-Present Art Farm, a collective of movement, video and sound artists including Agua Dulce Dance Theater (Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton), Thayer Jonutz, Kimsu Theiler, Oliver Lyons, and Alexis Raskin that meets and works at Yellow Barn Workshop in Northeast Ohio . Co-founder and co-director.


2010-2011 dANCEpROjECt, Co director with Steven Iannacone and Matthew Thornton of the Hope College affiliated dance company.

2003-2007 The Moving Center, Director. Taught body-conditioning classes to

groups and private clients. Offered Thai Yoga Bodywork to private clients.

2000-2004 Rubí Theater Company, Co-founder, co-director, and

choreographer. 1997-1999 en la brega dance company, Co-founder and co-director with

Ñequi González. Teaching Experience

2011-Present University of Richmond, Department of Theatre and Dance. Assistant Professor of Dance. Teaching the following courses: Contemporary Dance Technique, Intro to Movement Improvisation, Choreography, and Intermediate Jazz. Company teacher and guest choreographer for University Dancers.

2012-2013 Virginia Commonwealth University. Master Class on

Contemporary Dance Technique. 2013 Richmond Youth Peace Summit—Organized and co-facilitated

the workshop Capoeira: The movements, music and history of this Afro-Brazilian martial art/dance. Richmond Peace Education Center/Northminster Baptist Church. April 27.

2009-2012 Hope College, Dance Department. Assistant Professor of Dance

(2009-2011) and May Term Visiting Professor (2012). Teaching in the following areas: All levels of Contemporary Dance, Ballet Novice, Jazz, Repertory, Improvisation, Dance History. Assistant for faculty member Matthew Thornton’s courses on Capoeira and Non-Traditional Partnering. ACDF Faculty Representative. Dance coordinator for Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Performance. Organizer for dance participation in yearly Critical Issues Symposium. Choreographer for faculty concerts.

2011 Oakland University. Master Class on Contemporary Dance

Technique. 2009-2010 Dance in the Annex, Grand Rapids, MI. Master Classes in

Contemporary Dance. 2008-2009 Kent State University, The School of Theatre and Dance.

Assistant Professor/Artist-in-Residence. Teaching in the following areas: All levels of Modern Dance, Beginning and Intermediate


Ballet, Composition, Dance as an Art Form-Lab. Creative Advisor, ACDF Faculty Representative, organizer and teacher. Choreographer for faculty concert.

2005-2008 Hope College, Dance Department

Visiting Lecturer/Artist, Spring Semester. Taught all levels of Modern Dance, Repertory, and Body Conditioning. Choreographer in Dance 31 Faculty Concert.

2007 Kansas State University, Dance Program

Guest Teacher/Artist. Taught Modern Dance Master Class. Collaborated in the creation of “Prarie Dance” with Matthew Thornton for the faculty concert.

2006 Hathaway Brown School, Guest Teacher/Artist. Taught Contemporary Dance. Collaborated in the creation of “Spirits Crossing over Water.”

2005 New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Studies

Guest Artist/Teacher.

2004 DanzaFest 2004, Puerto Rico. Contemporary Dance Master Class.

2000-2004 Rubí Theater Company, NY. Movement for Actors. 2002/2003 Hope College, MI. Modern Dance Master Classes as member of

Contemporary Motions directed by Julio Rivera. 2002 Shaker Heights High School, OH. Guest Artist. 1999-2000 Andanza Compañía Puertorriqueña de Danza

Contemporánea, Puerto Rico. Company classes on Contemporary Dance and member of the school faculty.

1999/1998 Congreso Internacional de Jazz, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Modern

Dance Master Classes. 1996-1999 Henry St. Settlement. Movement for Actors in the

Drama Department. Urban Youth Theater. Arts/Education Program in NYC Public Schools.

1997/1998 University of Michigan, Dance Department.

Master Classes and workshops with en la brega dance company.

1997 Creative Outlet Dance Theater, Arts/Education Program NYC Public Schools.

1995-1996 Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater Master Classes in public

schools during U.S national tour.


Performance Experience DANCE COMPANIES AND INDEPENDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS

2006-Present Agua Dulce Dance Theater, co-founder and co-director with

Matthew Thornton. Beginning of artistic collaboration prior to founding of the company dates to 2001. Performed and presented work in NYC, Jacob’s Pillow 2006 Inside Out Series, Mexico, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia.

2004-2013 Pepatián Artsit, Pepatián is a South Bronx-based organization

dedicated to creating, producing and supporting contemporary multi-disciplinary art by Latino and Bronx-based artists, provided administrative support and booking services for performances in NYC venues Jump It Up & Arthur Aviles Typical Theater Put the Boogie in the Boogie Down at BAAD! (2004), Nuyorican Poet’s Café (2005), Lehman College (2005), Hostos Community College (2006), and Jacob Pillow’s Inside/Out Series (2006), 2012 APAP @ HOME, The Food for Thought Series at Danspace Project in the East Village/St. Mark’s Church (2012), and Hunts Point Homes at BAAD! (2013).

2008-2010 Steven Iannacone. Díaz and Thornton have performed Steven

Iannacone’s “Desde el Jardin” at the Museo de la Ciudad in Querétaro, Mexico (2008), as guest artists for Eisenhower Dance Theater at Oakland University (2009), dANCEpROjECt at Hope College (2009), and The Alwin Nikolais Centennial Celebration Alumni Concerts (2010) in NYC.

Soplo, performer. Collaborated and performed in site-specific, improvised performances in Puerto ‘Rico directed by Puerto Rican dance artist Ñequi González.

2004-2006 Original work with Marion Ramírez, NY. Performances in New

York City include The Nuyorican Poet’s Café (2005), DanspaceProject at St. Mark’s Church (2005), Lehman College (2005), Bronx River Art Center (2005) and Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) (2006).

2004 Sally Silvers & Dancers, NY. Performed “Lustration” in the

evening concert of DREAMSDOCOMETRUE at DanspaceProject at St. Mark’s Church in NYC.

TRYST, Site-specific performance of Wildlife Tour at the 60 Wall St.

Atrium, NY.


2000-2004 Rubí Theater Company. Performances at P.S.122 and Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) in NYC.

1996-2002 Alice Farley Dance Theater. Performances at venues such as The

New York Public Theater, Museum of Natural History, The Guggenheim Museum, and 2002 Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

2001 Eva Dean Dance. Performances at the New York International

Fringe Festival. 1999-2000 Andanza: Compañía Puertorriqueña de Danza

Contemporánea. Performances in Puerto Rico at Teatro Tapia and Teatro de Bellas Artes, and Casa de America in Madrid, Spain.

1997-1999 en la brega dance company, NY. Co-founded and co-directed with Ñequi González. Performances at Hostos Community College (1997), Princeton University (1998), The Museum of National History (1999), Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Arts Center (1998), University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (1998), and the University of Puerto Rico (1999).

1995-1999 Complexions Contemporary Ballet, NY. National and

international tours including Lincoln Center, BAM, The Joyce Theater, and Hostos Community College in NYC; Brazil, France, and Italy.

1997-1998 Donald Byrd/The Harlem Nutcracker, NY. Member of the

Harlem Nutcracker national tour. 1994-1995 Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, IL. National tour.

1994 Bust a Move! Dance Marathon, Aaron Davis Hall, NY.

Performed in “Glimpses No. 6,” choreographed by Ray Tadio. Rod Rodgers Dance Company, NY. National tour.

Footprints Dance Company, NY. New York City season.

Women: Bodies of Expression. Event sponsored by The University Community on Diversity at The New School for Social Research in NYC.

1991-2004 Contemporary Motions. Performances include Teatro Tapia in

Puerto Rico, Hope College in MI, and the 1992 World Fair in Seville, Spain.

1988-1990 University of Michigan, Dance Dept. Student and Faculty

Concerts.


1986-1988 Princeton Ballet II, Princeton Ballet Society, NJ. Company member.

FESTIVALS

2012 American College Dance Festival, James Madison University, VA. Contemporary Dance Master Class. Presented “La Orilla/The Shore” in an adjudicated concert, performed by University of Richmond’s University Dancers.

2011 2011 Dance Films @ The Flea Festival, New York City. Screening

of “The Seed and The Gardener”—a collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater and video artist KimSu Theiler. American College Dance Festival, University of Akron, OH. Contemporary Dance and Partner Bodywork Master Classes. Assist Matthew Thornton in his Capoeira and Non-Traditional Partnering classes. Presented “Yucuninu” in an adjudicated concert, performed by Hope College’s student Michael Parmellee. “Yucuninu” was selected to be presented in the festival’s Gala Performance.

2009 Michigan Dance Festival, Hope College, MI. Contemporary

Dance master class. Assisted Matthew Thornton in his Capoeira and Non-Traditional Partnering classes.

Ohio Dance Festival, Ohio University, Athens, OH. Contemporary Dance master class.

American College Dance Festival, University of Akron, OH. Contemporary Dance master class. Assisted Matthew Thornton in his Capoeira and Non-Traditional Partnering classes.

2008 New York Dance Parade, NYC Agua Dulce Dance Theater’s performance of “Grain of Sand.”

Blue Curtain Music and Dance Summer Series at Pettoranello Gardens in Princeton, New Jersey. Agua Dulce Dance Theater presented a full evening concert.

2006 Jacob’s Pillow Inside Out Series, MA. Agua Dulce Dance Theater performed “La orilla/The Shore” as artists of Pepatián, directed by Jane Gabriels.

Dance in America Series, curated and produced by Vissi Dance Theater, NYC. Agua Dulce Dance Theater presented “La Orilla / The Shore.”

2003-2005 Festival Internacional Danz’Aquí, Puerto Rico. Participated as teacher, choreographer and dancer.


2004 DanzaFest 2004, Puerto Rico. Performed “Cutamba,

Catuba, Cutumba” with original music by Sebastián Guerrero. Talk, Talk, Walk, Walk: Poetry and Dance Festival, NYC. Collaborated and performed with Edisa Weeks, KJ Holmes and Edwin Torres.

Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival, MI. Featured Guest Performer. Performance and lecture demonstration with percussionist Sebastián Guerrero.

2002 Transcultural New Jersey: Diverse Artists Shaping Culture and Communities. Presentó el solo “Yucuninu” with music by Lila Downs.

2001 2nd Annual Hip-Hop Theater Festival, P.S.122 in NYC. Rubí

Theater presented “Imagine the Angels of Bread”.

De la Manga Improvisation Festival, Puerto Rico. Improvised with DJ Nature, and José Luis Abreu “Fofé” (voice of Manjar de los Dioses).

2000 Primer Festival de Performance, Madrid, Spain. Performed with

Andanza, Compañía Puertorriqueña de Danza Contemporánea and presented her choreography “3 o 4 Jugadas.”

1999 Primera Muestra Internacional de Artes Escénicas, University of

Puerto Rico. en la brega dance company presented an evening-length concert.

1998 1898: War, Literature and the Question of Pan-

Americanism, Princeton University Symposium. en la brega dance company presented an evening-length concert.

1997 New York Fringe Theater Festival Urban Youth Theater

presented “The Woman Who Outshone the Sun.”

Dancing at the Plaza: Union Square Summer Dance Festival, NYC. en la brega dance company presented the duet “en camino.”

CHOREOGRAPHY CREDITS

Traveling (2014) Co-Choreographed by Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton for 8 members of University of Richmond’s student dance company, University Dancers. Music by Dead Can Dance, Joan Manuel Serrat, and Oliver Lyons. Costume design by Johanne Stegmeir. Lighting by Maja White. Performed at the Alice Jepson Theatre in the Modlin Center for the Arts.


passing through (2013) Co-director, choreographer and performer. This piece emerged from a series of collaborations over the course of two years, initiated by Art Farm, an artistic collective of artists from different mediums. It is a collaboration between Richmond, New York City, and Philadelphia based artists in dance, music, video, and lighting. The piece explores a process of emerging from darkness into sound, form, and light through ideas of becoming, taking shape, and moving on. This was a shared evening with the award-winning contemporary music sextet, eighth blackbird’s new theatrical work, Columbine’s Paradise. Moving Sculpture (2013) Co-choreographer and performer of a series of site-specific movement installations that were performed over the course of three days as part of the RVA Street Art Festival—a public art project led by muralist Ed Trask that brought muralists from around the nation and abroad to create work in the old GRTC bus depot with the intent to bring awareness to the pressing current discussion about public transportation in Richmond, VA. Hunts Point Homes (2013) Co-choreographer and performer of site-specific, multi-disciplinary project based at BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance). This project was a collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater (Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton), Catch Me Dance (Marion Ramírez and Jung Woong Kim), and multi-media artist Hatuey Ramos Fermín. Produced by Pepatián (Jane Gabriels). The work was created in conjunction with research interviews and a tour of Hunts Point with: Petrushka Bazin Larse of the Laundromat Project, Arthur Aviles of BAAD!, Kellie Terry of The Point, and Majora Carter of the Majora Carter Group. “…a falcon, a storm, or a great song?” (2013) A quartet choreographed for University of Richmond’s University Dancers’ annual concert entitled Shifting Ground: New Voices in Dance, in collaboration with the cast. Music by Zakjir Hussain and Le Trio Joubran. Costume design by Heather Hogg. Lighting by Maja White. Performed at the Alice Jepson Theatre in the Modlin Center for the Arts. This piece was inspired in part by the poem by Rainer Maria Rilke, “I Live My Life in Widening Circles.”

Dust (2013) Artistic collaborator in the dance-for-the-camera duet created during the 2012 Art Farm residency in Yellow Barn Workshop in Ohio. Art Farm is a collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater (Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton), Thayer Jonutz, Kimsu Theiler, Oliver Lyons, and Alexis Raskin. Movement created and performed by Matthew Thornton and Thayer Jonutz. Filmed and edited by Kimsu Theiler. View at https://vimeo.com/channels/aguadulcedancetheater

blu (2012)


Choreography for the play written by Virginia Grise. Directed by José Joaquín García and Assistant Director Patricia Herrera. Live music by DJ MIKEMETIC. Costumes by Johann Stegmeir. Lighting by Maja White. Set design by Reed West. Performed at the Modlin Center for the Arts, Cousins Studio Theatre, The University of Richmond. Told in a heightened poetic language, the play follows a queer Chicana/o family as they try to envision an earth and sky without police and their helicopters. Standing Devi (2012) Site-specific structured improvisation. Created during the 2012 Art Farm residency in Yellow Barn Workshop in Ohio. Art Farm is a collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater (Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton), Thayer Jonutz, Alexis Raskin, KimSu Theiler, and Oliver Lyons. Filmed by Alexis Raskin and Kimsu Theiler. View at https://vimeo.com/channels/aguadulcedancetheater

Blacksmith Shed (2012) Artistic collaborator in the dance-for-the-camera duet created during the 2012 Art Farm residency in Yellow Barn Workshop in Ohio. Art Farm is a collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater (Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton), Thayer Jonutz, Kimsu Theiler, Oliver Lyons, and Alexis Raskin. Created and performed by Matthew Thornton and Thayer Jonutz. Filmed and edited by Alexis Raskin and Kimsu Theiler. View at https://vimeo.com/channels/aguadulcedancetheater algún día… (some day) (2012) Co-choreographed by Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton. Conceived as a solo/duet/solo, “algun día…” explores ideas of death/copulation/birth. Set to music by Leonard Cohen, Felipe Pirela, and Tom Waits. Performed at the 2012 APAP @ HOME, and the Food for Thought Series entitled “Urban Conversations: City as Choreographer” curated by Jane Gabriels at Danspace Project in the East Village/St. Mark’s Church (2012) with vocalists Joaquín José García, Leah Thornton and accompanist Jonathan Hardy. Remnants: A Staged Reading of a New American Musical (2012) Written by José Joaquín García and Patricia Herrera. Directed by José Joaquín García. Music by José Joaquín García and J.A. Myerson. Choreographed by Jorge “Pop Master Fable” Pabón and Alicia Díaz. Performed at the Modlin Center for the Arts, Cousins Studio Theatre, The University of Richmond on March 11, 2012.

Conjuring the Wind (2011) Collaboration between Agua Dulce Dance Theater and the Grand Rapids based percussion band Wazobia. The trio was performed as part of Trip the Light: Ephemeral at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI. Performed by Alicia Díaz, Matthew Thornton, and Sarah Breese. Untitled at Tompkins Square Park (2010) Agua Dulce Dance Theater presented a site-specific performance at Tompkins Square Park as part of the 2010 New York Dance Parade. The piece performed by six dancers, moves through a series of duets and improvised group flocking.


An Evening of Dance at The Old Grand Rapids Public Museum (2010) Agua Dulce Dance Theater (ADDT) presented a site-specific performance for the opening of the exhibit “Michigan—Land of Riches: Re-Examining the Old Grand Rapids Public Museum.” Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton collaborated with Hope College Photography Professor Steven Nelson who designed and constructed a spiraling light installation with photo and video components that the dancers moved within, outside, and in relationship to. The group also performed throughout the museum space at large, including an escort of a bison that paraded the museum! On a separate night, ADDT also curated an evening of dance including the work of the dance company Mise en Place—directed by Thayer Jonutz and Amy Cova—, guest choreographer Courtney St. Clair, and ADDT.

Into the Night (2010) Co-choreographed by Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton in collaboration with Hope College students for the Dance 36 Faculty Concert. “Into the Night” explores the idea of emerging from one world into another, and is an experiment in different movement qualities. It was inspired by the Portuguese fado, “As Fontes” (The Sources), interpreted by Mafalda Arnauth. The piece was set on dANCEpROjECt’s fall season and will be set on the student dance company at Oakland University in 2011.

Grain of Sand: A Dance for the Camera Project (2009) Co-choreographed by Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton in collaboration with 8 movement artists of Agua Dulce Dance Theater. Filmed by Alison Dobbins with additional camera work by KimSu Theiler, Ben Craig and Alexis Raskin. Original music by Bill Sallak. Environmental sound recordings by Oliver Lyons. Costumes by Megan Pitcher. Filmed at Yellow Barn in Northeast, Ohio. Fiscal Sponsorship provided by Yellow Barn Workshops. A trailer of the upcoming film and additional information on the project can be viewed at www.nightpasture.org

The Seed and the Gardener (dance video) (2009) A 3-minute dance video created by KimSu Theiler using close-up footage from the garden scenes of “Grain of Sand: A Dance for the Camera Project” Co-choreographed by Alicia Díaz and Matthew Thornton in collaboration with the performers. Premiered at the 2009 dANCEpROjECt season at Hope College. Screened at the 2010 ACDFA conference at Ohio University. Upcoming screening at the 2011 Dance Films @ The Flea Festival in NYC. Yucuninu: The Development of a Dance (documentary) (2009) A 20 minute documentary by Alison Dobbins following Kent State University Artist-in-Residence/Assistant Professor Alicia Díaz’s creative process as she adapts her dance solo Yucuninu (2001) into a trio (2008) performed by three Kent State University dance students.

Yucuninu (Site-Specific Film) (2008) A site-specific film adaptation of the original stage solo created in 2001. Music by Lila Downs. Filmed by Alison Dobbins. In collaboration with Matthew Thornton. This film was projected during the annual faculty concert at Kent State University,


Excellence in Motion: Dance 08 Faculty as part of a longer stage version of Yucuninu adapted for three dancers. The film can be viewed at: www.nightpasture.org/yucuninu4 Agua Dulce at Pettoranello Gardens (2008) An hour-long outdoor evening performance created from Agua Dulce Dance Theater’s repertory, including “La orilla / The Shore” and “Grain of Sand.” as well as “Desde el jardín / Out of the Garden” choreographed by Steven Iannacone. The concert was created in collaboration with musicians Sebastián Guerrero and Oliver Lyons, and the cast. Performed at Blue Curtain Music and Dance Summer Series at Pettoranello Gardens in Princeton, New Jersey.

Grain of Sand (theatrical performance) (2008) Group piece co-choreographed with Matthew Thornton that explores time and transformation. Soundscore by Bill Sallak. Originally performed as a site specific piece in Tompkins Square Park as part of the 2008 New York Dance Parade and as part of an outdoor evening-long performance for the 2008 Blue Curtain Music and Dance Summer Series. In 2009 the piece was adapted for the theater on the Kent Dance Ensemble at Kent State University and on the Shaker Heights Theater Ensemble in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2010 the piece was set on dANCEpROjECT at Hope College. “Grain of Sand” served as the starting point for the 2009 “Grain of Sand: A Dance for the Camera Project” [see information above].

Prairie Dance (2007) Group piece co-choreographed with Mathew Thornton in collaboration with the cast. Created for the Kansas State University annual faculty concert.

Spirits Crossing Over Water (2007) Group piece co-choreographed with Matthew Thornton in collaboration with the cast. Created for The Moving Company of the Hathaway Brown School.

Intima (2006) Structured solo improvisation set to an original sound score created by Díaz including poetry by Julia de Burgos and music by Ernesto Cordero. The solo was first presented by Díaz at Pepatián’s Out of El Bronx performance at Swing Space produced by the Lower Manhattan Community Council in 2005. It was performed by Jessi Flores in the Sixth Annual Bronx Spotlight: Jump it Up 2006 in Hostos Community College, NY. Mar Adentro (The Sea Within) (2006) In collaboration with Puerto Rican choreographer Marion Ramírez, Peruvian percussionist Sebastián Guerrero, and Pilobolous dancer Matthew Thornton. Together they develop a dialogue that navigates between music and movement, and between choreography and improvisation. The work evokes the sea as both creator and destroyer, a place where beginnings and endings coexist. The piece was first performed as a duet with Ramírez at the Pepatián Bronx Artist Spotlight: Fall Into It 2005 at Lehman Stages of Lehamn College in NYC. Longer versions were


performed with Thornton at the Far Out performance series and the First Weekends Series at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) in 2006 in NYC.

House of Dreams (2005) Group piece co-choreographed with Matthew Thornton in collaboration with the cast. Created for the Hope College Faculty Concert Dance 31. Music by Lila Downs and Cachete Maldonado. Live vocals by Erin Taylor.

I-Land (2005) Choreographed by Marion Ramírez in collaboration with Alicia Díaz. Performed at DanspaceProject at St. Mark’s Church and Cornell Univeristy. Cutamba, Catuba, Cutumba (2004) Structured solo improvisation in collaboration with percussionist Sebastián Guerrero. Free interpretation of an imaginary deity meditating on how much love and how much outrage in these times of war. Performed at the Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival in Holland, MI and DanzaFest 2004 in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Nana para una negrita (2004) Structured solo improvisation in collaboration with percussionist Sebastián Guerrero. Inspired by Puerto Rican composer Ernesto Cordero’s rendition of “Nana para una negrita” (1985) for solo guitar. Under the soothing lullaby there is a disquieting rebellion. Performed at the 2004 Festival Danz’Aquí, Puerto Rico and the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Taller de Danza, Trenton, NJ.

Love (in times of war) (2004) Duet co-choreographed with David Matiano to live vocals and piano accompaniment by José Joaquín García and Bladimir Pichardo. Music: “Dichterliebe” by Robert Schumann. Made possible in part by the Brooklyn Arts Exchange Artist-in-Residence Grant. Created in partial requirement for the Master’s Performance Thesis at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study of New York University.

Strange Fruit (2003) Structured solo improvisation to the song by the same name interpreted by Nina Simone. Performed at the Princeton Peace Coalition Concert for Peace. La orilla / The Shore (2002) Duet co-choreographed with Matthew Thornton with original music by Oliver Lyons and the song “Una palabra” by Cuban songwriter Carlos Varela. Commissioned by Contemporary Motions. Made possible in part by the Winter 2002 Union St. Dance Space Grant and the Artist in Residence Grant at the Capoeira Angola Palmares Center. This piece has been developed and revised through the course of several years. It has been performed in different configurations at Hope College (2002 and 2003), Shaker Heights High School (2002), the Festival Danz’Aquí in Puerto Rico (2003), the Dance in America Series produced by Vissi Dance Theater (2006), Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Series (2006), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro in Mexico (2008), the Blue Curtain Music and Dance Summer Series, Pettoranello Gardens (2008). In 2009 Díaz and Thornton adapted La orilla /


The Shore for a group of 9 dancers for dANCEpROjECt at Hope College. It was performed by Alicia Díaz and Sarah Breese at the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival in the Wellspring Theater in Kalamazoo, MI (2011). In 2012 Díaz and Thornton adapted La Orilla / The Shore as a trio for University of Richmond’s University Dancers—performed at “Jazzed” at UR and the 2012 Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Festival Conference.

Imagine the Angels of Bread (2001-2002) A hip-hop concert version of Puerto Rican writer Martín Espada’s book of poems by the same name. Created with Rubí Theater Company for the 2nd Annual Hip-Hop Theater Festival held at P.S.122 in NY. Further developed and performed at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, NY and The New World Theater in Amherst, MA.

Yucuninu (2001) Solo choreographed to a Mixtec song by Mexican-American artist Lila Downs. Commissioned by Contemporary Motions. Performed at Raw Material Series at Dance Space (2001), the Capoeira Angola Palmares Center and the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) (2002) in NYC; Hope College, MI (2001-2002); Rutgers University, Transcultural New Jersey: Diverse Artists Shaping Culture and Communities (2002); and Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro, Mexico (2008), and the Blue Curtain Music and Dance Summer Series, Pettoranello Gardens (2008). In 2009 Díaz created a trio adaptation of the solo which was performed by dancers of Kent State University for the annual faculty concert, Excellence in Motion: Dance 08 and the 2010 dANCEpROjECt season at Hope College. The creative process of this adaptation was captured in the 2009 documentary “Yucuninu: The Development of a Dance” by Alison Dobbins. In 2011 “Yucuninu” was adjudicated and selected for the American College Dance Festival Gala Performance at the E.J. Thomas Hall at The University of Akron, OH.

On the 1 Train (2001) Choreography for the one-act-play by Paola Soto, directed by José Joaquín García. The work was created in collaboration with the Rubí Theater Company cast. Performed at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center, NY.

Taking Flight (2000) A site-specific solo, choreographed as part of GLIMPSE (The Suite Here After), directed by Steven Dean, for The Judson House Project: A Performance Celebration of the History and Legacy of Judson House, NY. 3 ó 4 jugadas (2000) Quartet commissioned by Andanza: Compañía Puertorriqueña de Danza Contemporánea, Puerto Rico. The work was directed by Alicia Díaz in collaboration with dancers Rodney Rivera and Carlos Iván Santos, vocalist José Luis Abreu “Fofé”, lighting designer Antonio González Walker and costume designer Freddie Mercado. Performed in the Teatro de Bellas Artes (1999), Cuba (2000), and Mexico (2002). It remains part of Andanza’s repertory.


guaretas (1999) Duet for en la brega dance company inspired by the true story of twin sisters living in England who chose to be silent in the presence of others and developed a sophisticated shared body-language to communicate with each other. Co-choreographed with Ñequi González for the Primera Muestra Internacional de Artes Escénicas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Live original music by Alberto Toro.

Fragments (1999) A program of solos and duets by en la brega dance company. Co-choreographed with Ñequi González for the Women’s History Month Celebration of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Original music and vocals by Alberto Toro and Morley Kamen.

tomas desde adentro (1998) Trio for en la brega dance company. Co-choreographed with Ñequi González in collaboration with Nathan Trice for the 1998 Princeton University Symposium, 1898: War, Literature and the Question of Pan-Americanism. Also performed at the University of Michigan, Dance Department and the Primera Muestra Internacional de Artes Escénicas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico.

A Woman Who Outshone the Sun (1998 + 1999 + 2004) Choreography for Patricia Herrera’s adaptation of the Mexican legend. First created with Urban Youth Theater of Henry St. Settlement under the direction of Gloria Zelaya and performed as part of the New York Fringe Festival. Re-staged with Urban Youth Theater under the direction of José Joaquín García and performed at the Abron’s Arts Center, NY. Re-staged and directed by García with Rubí Theater Company, and performed at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, NY.

Raksha’s Child (1997 + 1998) Choreography for the production of Urban Youth Theater of Henry St. Settlement in collaboration with director José Joaquín García and the cast. Performed at the Abron’s Arts Center, NY. en camino (1997) Choreograhed by Ñequi González in collaboration with Alicia Díaz. Performed at Hostos Community College (1997), Dancing at the Plaza: Union Square Summer Dance Festival (1997), and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Arts Center (1998), NYC.

AWARDS, GRANTS, AND RESIDENCIES

2014 University Fellowship, The George Washington University 2012-2014 Faculty Research Council Grant for Summer Research,

University of Richmond 2011-2013 Cultural Affairs Grant, University of Richmond 2010-2011 Artists-in-Residence, Holland Area Arts Council, MI.


2003-2004 Dean Scholarship, Gallatin School of Individualized Study. 2002-2004 Gallatin Scholarship, Gallatin School of Individualized Study. 2001-2004 Artist in Residence Grant for Rubí Theater Company at the

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX), NY. 2002 Winter 2002 Union St. Dance Space Grant, NY.

Artists in Residence Grant, Capoeira Angola Palmares Center, NY. 2001 Manhattan Community Arts Fund Recipient from the Lower

East Side Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), NY. PANELS

2013 Bronx Dance Coalition—Participated in preliminary adjudication of

future site-specific projects in the South Bronx. Meeting facilitated by Arthur Aviles of BAAD! and Aviva Davidson of Dancing in the Streets.

2012- 2013 ACDFA Adjudication Panel, adjudicated UR student works to be

presented at the Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Festival Conference.

2011 Ohio Dance Festival, Adjudicator. 2005 Lower Manhattan Community Council (LMCC). Creative

Communities, Dance Category. Adjudicator. 2002 Union St. Dance Space Grant, NYC. Adjudicator. 1999 Congreso Internacional de Jazz, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Adjudicator PUBLICATIONS

2010 “Pepatián’s Bronx Artist Spotlight 2010 Choreographers Showcase” Bronx Dance Magazine (Summer, Issue 19).

2005 “Latino Dance Forms in the United States” The Encyclopedia of

Latinos in the United States, Oxford University Press. 2004 “Bomba, Capoeira, B-boying: Embodied forms of Resistance in the

African Diaspora” Washington Square News, March 2, 2004.


ARTICLES ON and REVIEWS 2013 Richmond Times Dispatch (October 27) “New Works at UR

Captivate the Audience” by Gene Harris. http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/new-works-at-ur-

captivate-the-audience/article_37314d2f-d4b4-5ed7-8885-9f7bd1547f38.html?mode=jqm

“Ancestry and Spirit: Site Specific Performance in the Hunts Point Homes Residency” by Taja Lindley | June 2013

http://aguadulcedance.blogspot.com 2010 Solomons Says (December 6) “Nikolais’s Century” by Gus

Solomons, Jr. http://solomons-says.com/post/2128899653/nikolaiss-century

Eye On Dance and examiner.com (December 7) “Alwin Nikolais Centennial Alumni Concert” by Jennifer Thompson http://www.examiner.com/dance-in-new-york/alwin-nikolais-centennial-alumni-concert

2008 New York Press (May 21) "Missing Dance Parade, Not Missing

Much" by Kimberly Thorpe http://www.nypress.com/blog-2885-missing-dance-parade-not-missing-much.html

Daily Kent Stater (November 10) “Dance piece depicts stages of life through movement and technology” by Lauren Crist. http://kentwired.com/dance-piece-depicts-stages-of-life-through-movement-and-technology/

Daily Kent Stater (September 16) “Artist in residence brings new ideas to dance department” by Lauren Crist. http://kentwired.com/artist-in-residence-brings-new-ideas-to-dance-department/

2004 Dance Magazine (July) Featured in the article “Authentic

Movement: Find Yourself in the Steps” by Shayna Samuels. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118675203.html

1999 The San Juan Star (May 10) “An intimate portrait” by Melba Ferrer.

El Nuevo Día (May 9) “En la brega” by Mario Alegre Barrios.

El Mundo (May 9) “Cuerpos que cuentan luchas” by Gloribel Delgado Esquilín.

1998 Time Off (January 20) “From School Halls to the Dance Floor” by

Angela Delli Santi.


OTHER PROFESSIONAL WORK THAI YOGA BODYWORK

2005-2006 The Moving Center, Director. Worked as an independent Thai

Yoga Bodywork practitioner with clients ranging from professional dancers to people suffering from fibromyalgia.

2004-2006 Space for Wellness, (Dr. Joseph Caraccilo). Worked as a Thai

Yoga Bodywork practitioner in chiropractic office RESEARCH ASSISTANT

1999-2002 New York State Psychiatric Institute, Epidemiology Dept. Worked with anthropologist Susan Barrow doing research on homelessness and mental illness, often dealing with individuals with dual diagnosis of mental illness and drug addiction. Conducted extensive fieldwork in hospitals, homeless shelters, and transitional housing facilities throughout NYC. One study dealt specifically with single mothers with dual diagnosis who had lost custody of their children during incarceration, were living in a homeless shelter after their release, and were trying to regain custody of their children. Research results of all studies were presented with recommendations to policy makers.

1990-1994 Hunter College--Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Centro),

Cultural Citizenship Taskforce. Worked with anthropologist Rina Benmayor and community educators Rosa Torruellos and Ana Juarbe. Duties included interview transcriptions of Puerto Rican women living in NYC who were studying ESL at the Casita Maria Community Center in El Barrio in East Harlem as part of the workfare programs of the 1990s. The study dealt with the complexities and challenges that the workfare program placed on poor women. Worked closely with Benmayor in an oral history project of Puerto Rican women “pioneras” who migrated to NYC in the 1930s and 40s to work in the garment industry and became union organizers. Worked as coordinator of the Rockefeller Fellows at the Centro. Participated in the exploratory stages of a comparative study of cultural politics in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba and traveled to Cuba with the study group in 1994.


TRANSLATION (English to Spanish)

2006 Democracy Now! A Daily Independent Global News Hour, with Amy Goodman and Juan González. Worked as part of the volunteer international team that translates the daily top stories and the summaries of the program’s in-depth interviews for the Democracy Now! website.

1993 Post-Production, Burbank, CA. Translated for subtitles and

dubbing of films and documentaries.

Documents

Alicia Díaz, Assistant Professor of Dance Agua Dulce Dance ... fileCurriculum Vitae, Alicia Díaz Page 1 19of Alicia Díaz, Assistant Professor of Dance