Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
ABOUT THE WORK:
Nhyira delves into the realms of culture, society, and power through a unique lens, drawing from her cultural heritage and kinesthetic background. Her artistic exploration often incorporates music from her upbringing or movement vernacular that extends beyond traditional concert dance spaces. While Nhyira acknowledges the performative nature of dance, her primary focus is to delve deeper and tap into the innate emotions that connect humanity as a whole.
SPECTACLE(2025)- Eryc Taylor New Choreographer Grant
A movement piece surrounding beauty inspired by the unspoken muse in Manet's "Olympia."
Music by Mars Storm Rucker, The Blue Devils, serpentwithfeet, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Kelea
Text and narration by Nina Simone and Nikki Giovanni
Score Arrangement by Mars Storm Rucker
Dancers: Kiyomi Davidson, Selena Lee, Taniah McKinney, Camille Phelps & Syd Worthy
*made possible with the fiscal support and mentorship of the Eryc Taylor Dance New Choreographer Grant*
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photo by Noa Wollstein
Stop the Playin' by Amouri Music Video (2024)
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A music video following a toxic love story with a misleading siren.
Music by Amouri
Directed by Julia Messick
​​​Choreography by Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante​
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courtesy: youtube
Sham! (2023)- Moving Forward Emerging Choreographers' Festival
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A duet exploring the effects simulation has on the soul and body of the copier and blueprint.
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Music by Tierra Whack and Halluci Nation
Dancers: Kaitlyn Posada & Lerato Ragontse
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photo by Jada Alfred
photo by Ella Bromblin
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PRISM (2023) - Second Avenue Dance Company
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A piece that aims to explore the effects of societal structures and institutions forcing us to either relinquish parts of ourselves or assume the identity of those around us to reach what has been socially accepted as "success."
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Music by Klein, Simo Cell, and Doechii
Dancers: Mark Aguilar, Lerato Ragontse, Jess Lemcke, Sean Quinn, Sage Sarai,
Matthew Mancuso, & Gary McCall
Costume Design by Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
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*under the mentorship of Sidra Bell
through Upsurge Dance Festival*
Ohemaa (2021, reimagined 2022):
ORIXA Project
A solo that explores the Foucauldian theory of discipline and power based on the Panopticon prison structure.
Music by Klein
Dancer: Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
*Winner of the 2022 Upsurge Dance Festival
Mentorship Award*
photo by Ella Bromblin
The Stoic Bridge (2019, re-imagined 2021):
Battery Dance Festival
In choreographic collaboration with Kate Louissaint
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​An artistic journey that seeks to bring to life Norman Rockwell’s painting of Ruby Bridges entitled “The Problem We All Live With."
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Music by Angelique Kidjo, Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante, & Kate Louissaint
Dancers: Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante and Kate Louissaint
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*featured in the Dance Enthusiast*
photo by Steven Pisano