excerpted from

Beyond the Desert

Salvatore Capezio Theater 2020

Performed by 

Jaime Shannon, Shirley Sejeong Kim, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Jemma Kwak, Cristiana Lucifora

Choreography by 

Yuki Hasegawa

Music by

Julian Julien
Photo by

justinchaophotography

Founded by Artistic Director Yuki Hasegawa, Azul Dance Theatre is a collective of NY based contemporary dance artists. Since 2004, Azul has created dances that convey the invisible flow of energy known as “Chi” in Eastern philosophy to express the sensitive relationship between individual self and cosmic force. Azul's work has been recognized for Hasegawa's vision of creating works influenced by traditional Japanese culture, but “vividly contemporary in feel.” 

Azul's first full evening work was premiered at Merce Cunningham Studio (presently Martha Graham Studio) in 2006. Since then, the company has maintained a presence in NY. Flower on the Desert (2014) was featured on Channel Thirteen, NYC Arts Program. Azul's recent work VISION (2016) investigates one's self-fight against fear and insecurity by projecting psychological images and ghostly illusions into contemporary dance. In collaboration with a multimedia artist Miskos Production, VISION was premiered at Tribeca Performing Arts Center. 

Azul's excerpt works were presented at  the venues in NY, such as Ailey Citigroup Theater, 92nd Street Y, Baruch Performing Arts Center, El Museo del Barrio, Gelsey Kirkland Performing Arts Center, Dixon Place, and Salvatore Capezio Center. Ms. Hasegawa and company member conducted Contemporary Dance Workshops at Peridance Center, Gibney Dance Center and Manhattan Borough of Community College.

Azul is a recipient of CUNY Dance Initiative 2016 Residency Program at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, NYC/Dance Response Fund, Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant, and Mertz Gilmore Foundation Late-stage Stipend facilitated by Green Space.  Azul Dance Theatre/ Yuki Hasegawa is a fiscal sponsored artist through New York Live Arts.