In February, Barkha Dance Company from New York City will visit campus. barkha patel is a kathak dancer, choreographer, educator and the Artistic Director of Barkha Dance Company.
The Department of Theater and Dance will feature a number of guest artists during the winter term.
Hailing from North Carolina, Paperhand Puppet Project will be in residence from Jan. 11 to 25. For 25 years, this ensemble has been using papier-mâché, cardboard, bamboo, old house paint, cloth and other assorted materials to create giant puppets, masks, shadow plays and spectacle performances that synthesize various art forms including sculpting, painting, dance, music, improvisation, costume design, set design and theater.
During their residency, Artistic Director Donovan Zimmerman and two company members will work with students for two weeks creating an original script and art works that will culminate in performances in the Studio Theater from January 22 to 25.
“We are so excited to be hosting Paperhand Puppet Project,” said Department Chair Brittney Belz. “Thanks to the support of Alan Gnessin '76, we are able to have not just a workshop, but a full residency with creation and performance alongside this incredible company. Their work is beautiful, inspiring and impactful, and will combine our students' desire to work with puppetry as well as create and present meaningful stories that speak to audiences through movement, dance, music, narration and puppets.
In February, Barkha Dance Company from New York City will visit campus. barkha patel is a kathak dancer, choreographer, educator and the Artistic Director of Barkha Dance Company. A touring artist, she has performed solo and ensemble works at dance festivals in India, Canada and the US. She is a recipient of both the Juried Bessie Award (2023) and Princess Grace Dance Award (2024) and has been lauded by The New York Times for her “brilliant virtuosity and bewitching charm.”
On Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., patel will present a program of new work in the Yulman Theatre for the campus community and the general public.
Stephanie Pizzo, artistic director of Eisenhower Dance Detroit, in Henle Dance Studio in October 2024.
“I have seen barkha’s work for a few years now,” said Dance Residency Coordinator Kim Engel. “It’s exciting in that she is bridging the gap between her traditional form and contemporary movement creating an exciting fusion that is quite captivating to watch.”
A new dance created specifically for students by Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Artistic Director Stephanie Pizzo will be featured in the Winter Dance Concert in March. In 2024, the company was on campus for the annual Stephanie C. Davis Dance Residency. Pizzo has been invited to return to create new work for students that will be performed as part of the annual Winter Dance Concert. The premiere work will feature six students: Riley Belkin ‘28, Melanie De La Cruz’26, Ava DuBoff ‘26, Paige Fox ‘27, Diego Fuentes-Alvarado ‘29, Tremain Richardson ‘26 with Anthony Montás ‘26 as an understudy.
The Winter Dance Concert, which also features faculty and student created works, is scheduled for March 4-7 in the Yulman Theatre.
"We’re excited to extend EDD’s influence beyond the 2025 Stephanie C. Davis Residency,” said Laurie Zabele Cawley, the Gustave L. Davis ’59 and Susan S. Davis Director of Dance. “Our students trained intensively with Stephanie Pizzo to create this original work, and this continued engagement offers them deeper, more meaningful exposure to our residency artists."
For more information on all of these events, visit the Department of Theater and Dance’s website.