SPEAK

Indian kathak dance and American tap dance, continents and ages apart, share parallel stories of struggle and perseverance. They come together in this sensational collaboration that is rhythm, poetry, storytelling, music, and dance. 

SPEAK carries forward the legacy of iconic artists like Pandit Chitresh Das, Dr. Jimmy Slyde, and James Buster Brown, while bringing to the forefront the voices of powerful female artists. Serving as the bridge between tradition and innovation, history and progress, Rukhmani Mehta (previously Rina Mehta), Rachna Nivas, Michelle Dorrance, and Dormeshia create nothing short of magic on the stage. Joined by the world’s leading Indian classical and jazz musicians, SPEAK promises to thrill, provoke and move spirits.

Original Musical Cast

Drums & Composer: Allison Miller
Piano: Carmen Staaf
Bass: Todd Sickafoose
Sitar & Composer: Jayanta Banerjee
Vocals: Debasish Sarkar
Tabla: Satyaprakash Mishra

Funders

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
New Music USA
California Arts Council
National Endowment for the Arts
Zellerbach Family Foundation
Esper A. Petersen Foundation

Show Information

Run Time: 90 minutes
Cast: 4 dancers, 6 musicians
Touring Party: 12 (10 performers, 2 crew)
Concept: Rina Mehta & Rachna Nivas
Choreography: Rachna Nivas, Rukhmani Mehta, Dormeshia, Michelle Dorrance
Original Score: Jayanta Banerjee, Allison Miller, Carmen Staaf
Lighting Design: Dave Robertson
Sound Design: Brian Mohr &  Neil Skacel