Here & Now 2026

Nina Osoria Ahmadi: THE SKY, THE SKY, THE SKY

Ensemble:
Barbara Caridad Meulner
Mel de Miami
Rashad Awesome Heagle
Nina Osoria Ahmadi
Anthony Armani Soto (Keys)
Mumbles (Drums and musical direction)

Dramaturgical support: Ananda Long

Video created with found and home footage by Nina Osoria Ahmadi

Editing and costume support: Mar Sublaban

This piece was made possible with the support and creative contributions of Dee Vacciana, James Kaun Balo, Taina Adam, Savannah Faith Jackson, Joel Pip, and Cris Bouza.

Thank you to my parents, who have supported and encouraged me throughout my life as a creative person. None of this would be possibly without you guys. My life is thanks to you.

Thank you also to my dancers, uniquely beautiful human beings, who gifted me with so much of their time and energy over the past four months. Thank you Barbara, Rashad, Mel (shoutout Dee and Taina too!) for trusting me, for showing up for me throughout this process. It has not been easy, but your faith in me made this possible. Thanks for sticking it out. I love and cherish each of you deeply.

FINALLY, THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE READING THIS. I ASK THAT AS YOU WALK AWAY FROM THIS EXPERIENCE, KNOW THAT YOU, THAT WE, ARE POWERFUL FAR BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS NOT AN ENCOURAGING STATEMENT, IT IS A FACT. THE MOMENT WE EACH BEGIN TO ACT ON THIS FACT, A BETTER WORLD GROWS CLOSER TO OUR REACH.
WE ARE INVINCIBLE TOGETHER.
AN UNDENIABLE FACT.

Nicole Pedraza & Diago León Lang: PALITROQUE

Choreographer: Nicole Pedraza
Visual Artist: Diago León Lang
Original Music: Dani F. Amaro & Diego Melgar
Dancers: Victoria Mora, Jesus Sandoval & Nicole Pedraza

Thanks to:
Maria Burt for rehearsal assistance
Ana Gabriella Villamizar for consultation and guidance
And special thanks to Trish Gutierrez for aiding in the formulation of the idea and lending equipment and guidance

Clinton T. Harris: BONNIE WHERE’S/WEARS CLYDE?

Bonnie Where’s/Wears Clyde is a conceptual performance work that explores how feminine energy is shaped, masked, and reimagined through the norms of heterosexual masculinity, with the absent “Clyde” serving as a poetic metaphor for traditional gender roles. Drawing from down-low, trans, and gay culture, the piece reflects the fluidity and complexity of gender expression and identity. It creates a space where social norms are disrupted, and masculine and feminine energies converge and coexist.

Film Direction:
Clinton Harris
Lyric Dixon

Cinematography:
Naphtali Rosenberg
Lyric Dixon
Ali Wisdom

Film Editor:
Lyric Dixon

Original Score:
Imani Lewis-Shirley

Monologue Written and Voiced By:
Arsimmer McCoy

Film Features:
Clinton Harris
Larry Anderson
Carlos Realegno
Arsimmer McCoy

Production Assistance:
Ethan Telfort

Props Courtesy Of (Chair):
The Carol City Museum

Diego Melgar: SWAMP LILY

SWAMP LILY is a ballet mythologizing the disruption of wetland ecosystems and urban displacement. A symphonic score, contemporary choreography and vibrant visuals tell the story of a new-born swamp spirit who confronts two city spirits clearing the marshlands. SWAMP LILY draws inspiration from life in Miami, Kaiju films, Footwork music, Impressionism and more to create a modern abstracted folktale reflecting on the tensions of environmental change.

Director, Composer, Choreographer: Diego Melgar
Choreographer: Junior Domingos:
Choreographer: Nicole Pedraza
Vocals: Dani Amaro
Contrabass: Marty Quinn
Costume Design: Guadalupe Abad