Vision Forward

Join us this April for Vision Forward, the second season of ARENA DANCES’ debut as a contemporary repertory company and a defining moment in our 30th anniversary year. Rooted in collaboration, courage, and the transformative power of dance, this program brings together a powerhouse ensemble of dancers—Nieya Amezquita, Alex Arce, Non Edwards, Sarah McCullough, and Jake Nehrbass—for an evening of world premieres by four commissioned choreographers whose voices span generations, geographies, and aesthetics.

This repertory season marks a bold evolution for ARENA DANCES, deepening long-term artistic relationships and investing in sustained creative process. Through this model, dancers and choreographers work closely over time, allowing for risk, trust, and a shared physical language to emerge—resulting in performances that are both rigorous and deeply human.

Minnesota-based choreographer Wynn Fricke brings her singular, intuitive approach to the stage. Described by the Star Tribune as a “choreographic shaman,” Fricke is known for creating powerful, timeless works that explore the human condition. A seven-time McKnight Fellow and founder of Borrowed Bones Dance Theatre, her choreography has been presented nationally and internationally, including commissions for Zenon Dance Company, Ragamala Dance, and Minnesota Dance Theatre, where she served as Resident Choreographer.

New York City–based artist Wendell Gray II contributes an emerging and highly acclaimed choreographic voice. A dancer, choreographer, and educator, Gray’s work has been presented at Danspace Project, Movement Research at Judson Church, and Gibney. A 2025–2028 Jerome Hill Fellow and Movement Research Artist-in-Residence, he has been recognized for his bold experimentation and was recently nominated for a Bessie Award for Outstanding Breakout Choreographer.

Minnesota native Shane Larson, now based in New York City, brings an interdisciplinary practice that bridges dance, video, sound, and technology. A longtime member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company and a 2021 Bessie Award recipient, Larson’s work investigates memory, identity, and physicality through richly layered performance. His recent projects include participation in Jacob’s Pillow’s inaugural Choreotech AI Lab, placing his work at the forefront of contemporary performance and innovation.

Completing the program is Assaf Salhov, a New York City–based choreographer, dancer, and Artistic Director of Le Ballet Fou. Known for his immersive and theatrical approach, Salhov has created and presented over fifteen works across Israel, Europe, and the United States, with performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Shed, and international festivals. A longtime performer in Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More, his choreography draws audiences into richly physical, cinematic worlds shaped by collaboration across disciplines.

Together, these four world premieres reflect ARENA DANCES’ Vision Forward—a commitment to artistic depth, living-wage employment for dancers, and the belief that dance thrives through sustained relationships and bold creative exchange. As we celebrate 30 years of making dance accessible to all, this season invites audiences to witness what becomes possible when artists are given the time, trust, and support to imagine forward.