Allegra Activations
September 30 - October 10, 2026
RSVP Required
9/30: Film screening of Rea Tajiri’s History and Memory: For Akiko and Takshige
10/9: Preshow talk with Carlos J Soto and Dr. Jeffrey Gan
10/10: Gagaku demonstration by the Columbia Gagaku Instrumental Ensemble of New York
Digital Resources coming soon.
The New York City edition of Allegra Activations, accompanies the world premiere of a new dance work Allegra by Benjamin Akio Kimitch. This series of free public programs and digital resources opens up the artistic lineages, historical hauntings, and original designs which have shaped the world of Allegra. Spanning archival film, cross-cultural conversations on craft, and live musical demonstrations, these activations invite audiences to peer behind the curtain and wander a bit deeper into the dream world of the performance.
Co-organized by Jeffrey Gan and Benjamin Akio Kimitch.
LIVE EVENTS
Film Screening: History and Memory: For Akiko and Takashige
9/30 (Wed) at 7:00pm, The Wythe Hotel (doors open at 6:30pm)
Free rsvp here
Filmmaker Rea Tajiri blends interviews, memorabilia, and a pilgrimage to the camp where her mother was interned, ruminating on the difficult nature of representing the past – especially a past that exists outside traditional historic accounts. More than simply calling attention to the gaps in the story of the Japanese American internment, this important film from 1991 raises questions about collective history; questions that prompt Tajiri to daringly re-imagine and re-create what has been stolen and what has been lost. This 30 minute documentary short will be followed by a discussion between the filmmaker and choreographer Benjamin Akio Kimitch. Complimentary popcorn and cocktails will be served. Hosted by the Wythe Hotel Art Program.
Conversation: Carlos J Soto and Dr. Jeffrey Gan
10/9 (Fri) at 6:00pm, New York Live Arts Lobby
Free rsvp here
Join Allegra costume designer Carlos J Soto and dramaturg Jeffrey Gan for a lively Pre-show Talk on the costume designs underpinning this piece.
Gagaku Demonstration: The Columbia Gagaku Instrumental Ensemble of New York
10/10 (Sat) at 6:00pm, New York Live Arts Studio
Free rsvp here
Step into the sonic world of Allegra before Saturday night’s performance. Join members of The Columbia Gagaku Instrumental Ensemble of New York for a special 30-minute music demonstration and talk. Meaning “elegant music,” Gagaku, along with its dance and music repertoire called Bugaku, are ancient performance traditions that directly shape the landscape of Allegra. Musicians Kodai Speich (hichiriki), Lish Lindsey (ryūteki), and Nina Fukuoka (shō) will unpack the history of these classical forms and offer a live demonstration of Gagaku music repertory.
Allegra Activations was 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.
Photo by Martha Swope ©Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. New York City Ballet dancers Diana Adams, Arthur Mitchell, and Melissa Hayden with members of Japan’s Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency, 1959. Used with permission.