The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), through the National Dance Project (NDP), has awarded Dance Place a $5,000 grant to support the presentation of Ouroboros by Nejla Yatkin. Ouroboros invites audience members to embark on an immersive evening-length solo dance experience that seamlessly blends contemporary and Middle Eastern dance styles. This interactive theatrical journey explores the ancient snake dances of the Middle East, anchored by the powerful symbolism of Ouroboros.
Nejla Yatkin is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in choreography and a globally acclaimed dance artist renowned for her emotionally evocative and intellectually compelling performances. Hailed as “magical” by The New York Times and celebrated for her “fierce and supple” movement, Nejla crafts choreography that transcends traditional boundaries, immersing audiences in profound explorations of identity, transformation, and the human condition.
With a career spanning decades, Nejla draws from her nomadic heritage and extensive training across diverse traditions, including Dance Theater, Limon, Horton, Graham techniques, Ballet, Japanese Butoh, Middle Eastern dance, and pantomime. Her work seamlessly integrates these influences, showcasing her ability to navigate genres and storytelling with remarkable depth.
This presentation is made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.