Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company at National Portrait Gallery

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company performed the world premiere of “After 1001 Nights” in the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery on July 8, 2017. Burgess is the Smithsonian’s first choreographer-in-residence.

The title of the new dance, “After 1001 Nights,” is a reference to the stories of the Arabian Nights. The psychological impact of war on soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan was the focus of the dance, choreographed by Burgess, inspired by the National Portrait Gallery’s current exhibition, “The Face of Battle: Americans at War, 9/11 to Now,” and influenced by interviews Burgess conducted with veterans of the conflict.

The dance focuses on a soldier (dancer Kelly Moss Southall) looking back at his younger self (Ryan Carlough) and trying to come to terms with what he saw and did in war. A third dancer (Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo), dressed in black, represents “Trauma,” the emotional baggage that the older soldier carries. It is set to the music of composer John Zorn, “Leonard: The Book of Angels Volume 30,” performed by Garth Knox and the Saltarello Trio. The costumes were designed by Judy Hansen.

The exhibition is on view through Jan. 28, 2018. This fall, Burgess will create a new dance based on the exhibition “One Life: Sylvia Plath.”

The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at Eighth and F Streets NW in Washington, D.C. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily except Dec. 25. Admission is free.

tagsDanceDCgalleryjeffmaletperformancetai