QUICK NAVIGATION
Click a section name to quickly navigate to the desired section or keep scrolling to go through the program
WELCOME | MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHER / DIRECTOR | MEET THE CAST | PART 1: EXHIBITION PROGRAM & DESCRIPTIONS | part 2: FORMAL SHOW PROGRAM & DESCRIPTIONS | FULL CREDITS | DONATIONS
WELCOME TO ECHOES IN PLACE
Echoes in Place is a 2-part live dance work celebrating the rich history of the evolution of Canoga Park & THE TAXCO Theatre choreographed & Directed by Amita Batra. The first part of the show is a walk-through exhibition with a variety of interactive dance exhibits on display. Feel free to walk at your own pace and spend as little or as much time learning about Canoga Park, observing the work, and even interacting with the artists.
A formal performance to follow the exhibition.
Throughout the evening, you will see dancers dressed as eucalyptus trees. That is no coincidence. The eucalyptus, a native of Australia, is a fundamental part of the city’s scenery. One might call it an immigrant, due to its Australian origins. But despite that, it simply exists as a fundamental symbol of this city, the same as anyone here no matter where they are from.
This show was made possible by the LA Department of Cultural Affairs & the LA Dance Workers’ Coalition.
MEET AMITA
Amita Batra is a story-driven artist who wholeheartedly believes in the boundless nature of art with respect to those both who practice it and those who consume it.
Formally rooted in Kathak, the Indian classical art of storytelling and balletic styles, Amita is an explorer of the technical intersect between the two with an emphasis on using movement as a language for universal storytelling. In addition to dance, Amita thoroughly enjoys character work and improv, using humanity in its totality to inform body language and storytelling.
Credits + Clientele include good luck elvis - feature film (choreographer), NBC-Universal (Choreographer), The Academy of Motion Pictures (Choreographer/Instructor), Broadway-bound Come Fall in Love - The DDLJ Musical directed by Aditya Chopra (Ensemble/Hardipa), ETDC’s NC Grant Recipient for INERTIA - premiering at Martha Graham Theater (Choreographer), NY Black Arts Festival’s Aladdin (Choreographer), UCB South Asian AAF’s Sketch Series (Nina) & more.
Meet the Cast
Click any individual’s thumbnail to learn more about them
PART 1: Walk-through Exhibitions
Exhibit 1 - The Eucalyptus
Dancers: Baylee Ferrerra, Cydney Watson
Description: Located at the entrance of the Taxco Theatre, The Eucalyptus is an introduction to the metaphor of the evening. It features 2 dancers embodying the Eucalyptus Tree, rooted in what makes them uniquely them, while continuing to evolve their branches by gathering the knowledge of the world around them and sharing their air with one another. Despite their Australian Origin, eucalyptus trees remain rooted and a fundamental part of the city’s scenery & we do not think twice when we pass them by. We, like these trees, are woven into the fabric of Canoga Park, no matter where we are originally from.
Exhibit 2 - You Are Canoga Park
Dancer: Naomi Namboodiripad
The city of Canoga Park is an ever-evolving place. Each individual brings their own unique energy to the space.
The dancer in this exhibit embodies YOU while remaining rooted in her own body language to create this ever-evolving image of the city, a reflection of the people who inhabit it.
Exhibit 3 - Sounds of Canoga Park
Dancers: Nandini Kannan, Naomi Namboodiripad, Cydney Watson, Baylee Ferrerra, Amita Batra
Film & Edit: Ruben Samuel Cortez
A filmed series of dancers moving to the sounds of Canoga Park, forming their own relationship with themselves, the nature around them and the city, evolving in a way that is authentic to who they are. A symbol of this city’s inhabitants and the unique relationship each individual has with this city.
Exhibit 4 - Stories of Us
Dancers: Amita Batra, Nandini Kannan
Percussion: Neel Agrawal
Over time, Canoga Park has evolved with regards to who exists here and how we exists. The stories change & they are a reflection of us.
RING THE BELL TO CHANGE THE STORY. Each time the bell is rung, dancers will embody a new set of characters telling a new story. Neel Agrawal on percussion will react in real time.
PART 2: Show Program
Percussion Solo by Neel Agrawal
Introduction
A spoken word introduction to the humble beginnings of Canoga Park, highlighting the hopes, dreams, and diversity
Dancers: Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan, Amita Batra
Spoken Word by Amita Batra
Music: Dil Se Instrumental by AR Rahman
Beginnings
The first humans finding themselves in owensmouth in 1912
Dancers: Baylee Ferrerra, Cydney Watson, Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan, Amita Batra
Song: El Cascabel Instrumental by Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez
Resilience
The earliest settlers were primarily agriculturists, people of diverse backgrounds and resilience
Dancers: Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan, Amita Batra
Song: Don’t Look Down by Hanumankind, Dhee, Ed Sheeran
Big Dawgs
IN 1955, aerospace set foot in the region adding an industrial layer to the city, changing the socio-economic patterns of the city
Dancers: Baylee Ferrerra, Cydney Watson
Song: Big Dawgs by Hanumankind
Conflict
something that never happened.
Dancers: Cydney Watson, Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan
Spoken Word by Amita Batra
Music: El Cascabel Instrumental by Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Aari Aari by Shashwat Sachdev from Dhurandhar
Finale
Coexistence. I am you. You are me. We are we. YA
Dancers: Baylee Ferrerra, Cydney Watson, Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan, Amita Batra
Song:
Accompanied by Neel Agrawal
Improv Demo
A live demonstration of Amita’s storytelling through dance methodology, building a story inspired by none other than YOU. neel agrawal will react & accompany on percussion.
Everyone
FULL CREDITS
Stage Manager - Rena Patel
Lighting Designer - Justin Huen
Lighting Tech - Jose Tarango
Audio Tech - David Franklin
Percussion - Neel Agrawal
Dancers - Naomi Namboodiripad, Nandini Kannan, Cydney Watson, Baylee Ferrera, Amita Batra
From the Madrid Theatre - Cassandra Reyes
Check in Support - Riya Patel
Choreographer & Director - Amita Batra
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Cassandra Reyes
Chloe Flores
Raphaelle Ziemba
Dolores Chavez
Sherrie Lofton
Lankershim Arts Center: Henry Meiman & Jeff Sabino
LA Department of Cultural Affairs
LA Dance Workers Coalition
Madrid Theatre Staff
Taxco Theatre Staff
Canoga Park Historical Society
Artronika
DONATE
〰️
DONATE 〰️
Enjoy the Show?
Donate to Team Boundless by Amita for more storytelling dance works
Want to make a charitable donation? Speak with us directly to donate directly to our 501(c)3 non profit fiscal sponsor, Artronika
