When Nai-Ni Chen came to the U.S. in 1982, she was searching for a new style of dance that would represent herself and her time. Friday she will be bringing that style to Ball State University.
Chen formed the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company 21 years ago. Since then, the company has performed in 35 states across the U.S., Guatemala, Poland and China and has received more than 12 awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, numerous Citations of Excellence, and grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Chen likes to mix traditional dance with current issues that allows the choreographer to open up more possibilities in the performance, she said.
"When I choreograph, the first thing I do is go back to my roots bringing in Asian influences and Chinese traditional dance," Chen said.
Bob Myers, John R. Emens Auditorium director, said each season they plan to bring a professional dance company to campus. This company meets the programmatic objectives because their work displays contemporary choreography as well as traditional Chinese dance.
"I hope that audience members find themselves aware of the beauty inherent in the art of dance," Myers said. "I also hope that one gains a glimpse of some aspects of Chinese cultural heritage. Our goal is that several hundred folks will come to this performance."
The program at Ball State will be very colorful with lots of different details. The company will be giving the audience a full experience, Chen said.
"We hope we can bring something very special to the audience. Dance is very universal. Expect something very beautiful," Chen said.
Students can expect to experience beauty in form and fluidity at the performance and artistic excellence in the genre of contemporary dance, Myers said.
"Experiencing a dance performance in some ways is like looking at artwork. It is OK just to take it in. Just be in the moment. Let the scene before you unfold and appreciate the artistry, the balance, the grace," Myers said.
Chen began dancing when she was 4 years old. Her mother put her in classes because she thought she would have an interest in dance. Chen started her career as a modern dancer at 16 years old when she joined the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in Taiwan.
"I always thought one day I would become a dancer," Chen said.
Some of Chen's favorite shows include performances from the International Arts Festival. During the festival, her company performed at an outdoor theatre in China and in front of ruins at a church in Guatemala.
What: The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performanceWhere: Emens AuditoriumWhen: 7:30 p.m. FridayCost: General admission tickets are $5 for Ball State students. Faculty and staff tickets are buy one at $20 and get one free. Youth 18 and under tickets are also $5.
For more information about the show visit bsu.edu/emens/ or call 765-285-1539.
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