An original dance performance celebrating the Chinese General Guan Gong and hosted by UCT International Culture Development Inc. was held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center on July 23rd and at the United Nations on July 27th.
Popra Nakayama created and performed in a wonderful dance performance for the special occasion "Guan Gong's 1856th Birthday Anniversary World Guan Gong Community Global Grand Opening Celebration" at the United Nations, with more than 200 United Nations staff and employees in attendance.Ms. Nakayama, who also danced in the show, is a dancer/choreographer/actor whose talents have been showcased in a variety of Off-Broadway performances, including Beauty and the Beast," "Cinderella," "Sleepy Hollow" and the musical Omotenashi Journey at
Carnegie Hall. She will also play the role of "Quan" in the science fiction action film "April" directed by Dan Myricks, with shooting to take place in fall 2016.
The show tells the story of a historical hero from the three kingdoms period in China: the great general Guan Gong. The dance performance is named Guan Gong Dance and was created by Ms. Nakayama on the basis of jazz and theatre dance, with strong influences from Kung fu, Tai Chi, acrobatics and Chinese traditional fan dance. The result was a tightly choreographed and athletic performance mixing a variety of dance styles; featured were Keito (Guan Gong), Paige Cerchiara, Marissa Lussos, Mai Kudoh and Lin. Keito did a terrific job portraying the passionate emotions of Guan Gong and wowed the audience with surprising acrobatics.
Yiling Li (President of UCT International Culture Development Inc., fashion designer, movie and TV producer, dancer, choreographer, producer and writer) commented: "Popra's choreography and dance catch audience's hearts and make them super excited and feel a sense of home. I really enjoyed watching her beautifully trained skillful/technical movement with her passion and energy. It was a wonderfully structured and fabulously exciting show!"
Ms. Nakayama also did a fantastic job on the modeling section of the performance, which featured models wearing beautiful dresses designed by Yiling Li and emblazoned with sumptuous calligraphy. Ms. Nakayama will also be choreographing and performing for another special event at the United Nations in November 2016. Details coming soon!
