In Tiger Hands, choreographer Benjamin Akio Kimitch dreams beyond the worn-out mantra of East-meets-West. Inspired by his formative training in Chinese dance and intimate encounters with Peking opera, Kimitch’s vision for his first production in five years is one of world making. With this performance, Kimitch continues a body of dance works that honors his late mother, a dancer. “Tiger hands,” a Peking opera posture conventionally reserved for male characters, represents for Kimitch both a later-life reconnection to his formative dance training and cues for how he might enliven the early experimental energy that birthed this traditional artform. Kimitch invites a diverse group of collaborators in his cosmic, sunrise-colored search for authentic personal expression, using warrior elements of Peking opera as a transformative source of beauty and strength.

Directed, Choreographed, and Designed by Benjamin Akio Kimitch
Improvisations by the Dancers
Pareena Lim, Julie McMillan Castellano, and Lai Yi Ohlsen, Dancers
Claire M Singer, Composer
Jeffrey Gan, Dramaturg
Carlos Soto, Costume Designer
Serena Wong, Lighting Designer
Michael Chua (2022), Wo Chan (2026), Makeup Artist
Victoria Bek, Costume Supervisor
Justin Wong, Project Manager (2022)

World premiere August 4, 2022 at The Shed, as part of Open Call 2022.

Booking Info:
Please contact Jenni Bowman, Producer, for info on touring and engagement. jenni@showshow.co