About the Founder and Leadership

Con Brazos Abiertos, Photo by Amy Kerwin.

CON BRAZOS ABIERTOS (excerpt)

CHOREOGRAPHER: Michelle Manzanales ARTISTIC COLLABORATION: Ray Doñes SOUNDSCAPE INCLUDES: Carla Morrison, Cheech & Chong, Julio Iglesias, Edward James Olmos, Gustavo Santaolalla, Michelle Manzanales, Juan Carlos Marin Marin, Ember Island, Mexican Institute of Sound POEM BY: Maria Billini-Padilla

COSTUME DESIGN:

Diana Ruettiger

LIGHTING DESIGN:

Joshua Preston

PREMIERE: 2017

ABOUT THE CHOREOGRAPHY

Humility, nostalgia and humorare utilized by Michelle Manzanales as she explores the iconic Mexican symbols that she was reluctant to embrace as a Mexican-American child growing up in Texas. Intertwining folkloric details with a distinctly contemporary voice in dance, set to music that ranges from Julio Iglesias to rock en Español, “Con Brazos Abiertos” is a fun and frank look at a life caught between two cultures.

ABOUT THE CHOREOGRAPHER

Michelle Manzanales, originally from Texas, is a choreographer and dedicated dance educator of nearly 30 years. Before being named Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance Director in December of 2016, Manzanales was in the midst of her seventh season as the company’s Rehearsal Director & Artistic Associate. Currently, she serves on the National Association of Schools of Dance’s (NASD) Committee on Ethics. She has served as a juror for the Nebraska Arts Council, Individual Artist Fellowships, and was honored to be part of a round table planning dialogue supporting Carnegie Hall’s major education project ‘All Together: A Global Ode to Joy.’