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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2010 > February > 23 > Entry
‘Quiet Imprint’ explores Vietnamese American recollections of the Vietnam War
Four years ago, choreographer Thang Dao won the Audience Choice award at Ballet Austin’s first biennial ‘New American Talent/Dance’ project.
Now, the New York-based Dao returns to Austin with ‘Quiet Imprint,’ a new work based on personal narratives the choreographer gathered from the central Texas Vietnamese community.
‘Quiet Imprint’ gets its world premiere March 6 and 7 by Ballet Austin II, the apprentice company.
7 p.m. March 6, 2 p.m. March
AustinVentures StudioTheater, Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third St.
$15
www.balletaustin.org
Dao’s dance depicts the arduous journey experienced by the countless displaced Vietnamese men and women who lived through the Vietnam War, especially those who ended up in Austin.
Dao’s grounded his work in an open dialogue with the Vietnamese elders, documenting their journey of exile and then connecting them with the dancers. Thus, folk dance movements and individual stories were directly shared. Dao worked with Women’s Alliance Vietnam’s Education (WAVE) to reach out to Austin’s Vietnamese community.
Also, ‘Quiet Imprint’ was inspired by legendary Vietnamese singer Khanh Ly’s soulful performances of the country’s beloved songwriter, Trinh Cong Son’s music. In a rare appearance, Ly will perform live with Ballet Austin II.
Here’s video interview with Thang Dao, produced by Ballet Austin:
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