Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles, partnering with the Taiwan Studies Program at the University of Washington (UW-TSP), will virtually present the production Rage by Taiwanese dance troupe B.DANCE from May 26 to May 30, 2021. It is the first time that Rage is presented in the US. At the same time, it is the first Taiwanese dance program featured by the UW-TSP. In addition to the online performance, there will be an interview with choreographer Po-Cheng Tsai at 7PM PST on May 26 (at 10AM on May 27 Taiwan Time) on YouTube channel of UW-TSP. Both programs are free for worldwide audiences. All are welcome to register online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflyUZPdokATsfQmLZPQB4HV0mnHCPYKrspRw41zITUSLeeVQ/viewform.
Rage was premiered at Taipei National University of the Arts in 2018. It was influenced and touched by some social events in Taiwan. Po-Cheng Tsai, Artistic Director & Taiwanese choreographer of B.DANCE, notices that Taiwan society becomes more unbalance and unstable. The title of the program was inspired by the Japanese film Rage. The Chinese character “怒” (rage) means the enslaved mind that drifts between doubt and trust. This production was invited by Fundación CorpArtes in Chile to present virtually in this April.
Founded in 2014 and led by Po-Cheng Tsai, B.DANCE is one of the emerging contemporary dance companies in Taiwan. Tsai develops a unique choreographic language and style that combines traditional Asian movements, martial arts and contemporary dance. His famous piece, Floating Flowers, has toured in Europe for several times. It was well reputed by The Festival Off of Avignon and has been awarded by numerous international choreography competitions. Tsai was awarded Choreographer of the Year 2018 by the German magazine Tanz. He also received the prize for choreographic revelation at the 57th French Palmarès du Prix du Syndicat professionnel de la critique Théâtre, Musique et Danse in 2020. In the same year, B.DANCE won the Special Prize of the Expert Jury in 11th edition of Teresa Pomodoro's International Award "Il Teatro Nudo", held by the Milan-based Spazio Teatro No'hma Teresa Pomodoro Theater.
Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is the largest university in the Northwest. Taiwan Studies Program within the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, established in 2017, is dedicated to promote the research about Taiwan society and culture. In order to strengthen this program, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the UW in December 2021 to launch “Taiwan Studies MOFA Endowment” and “Taiwan Arts and Culture program.” With this cooperation project, the UW will become a leading center for Taiwan studies and cultural exchanges in the coming years.
For further information of this on-line program, please visit https://jsis.washington.edu/taiwan/2021/05/05/may-26-30-rage-by-b-dance/.