(Un) Thread 2024

Premiering in March 2024 at the BMICH in Sri Lanka, this piece poses the question: How do we stay awake and attuned to our being as always more than one?

Conceived and choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra, the performance features dancers Anna Peter, Ashley Fargnoli, Batya Peter, Bhagya Virajani, Daham Anuradha, Lisara Gallage, Pathum Dharmarathna, Piyusha Sumanapala, Roshni de Bond, Shashika Madhushan, Shonaka Ranatunga, Trisha Fernandez, and Wei Xie.

Sound design and music are by Isuru Kumarasinghe, Sumudi Suraweera, Sarani Perera, and Uvindu Perera, with poetry by Megan Dhakshini.

"Orientating Otherwise," part of The Routes We Take Exhibition—a project by Good Life X and EUNIC Sri Lanka—explores the body's potential to reshape how we sense, perceive, and engage with the world. By inviting movement, the piece allows audiences to experience the exhibition in a whole new light.

Conceptualized by Umeshi Rajeendra and co-choreographed with Ashley Fargnoli, it features performers Shashika Madushan and Trisha Fernandez.

Premiering in 2021 as part of the Decolonizing Dance Writing: International Exchange Project, this initiative is supported by thINKingDANCE and funded by Critical Minded. Curated and directed by Gregory King, associate professor of dance at Kent State University and a dance writer for tD, the project aims to celebrate dance traditions, aesthetics, and forms outside the Western canon, while amplifying engagement with dance scholarship. 

Premiering in 2019 at Park Street Mews, "Recurring" was choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra in collaboration with musician Natasha Senanayaka. The piece delves into the politics of our bodies and the various forms of protest for change."Recurring" was later showcased at Denison University in the USA.

We extend our gratitude to the dancers: Kathleen, Daham, Pathum, Onara, Dilkushi, Niren, Zahabiya, Kanchana, Indika, Bhagya, Shashika, and Hope for their collaboration.

 Choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra in collaboration with dancers Kathleen, Onara, Pathum, Daham, Bhagya, Shashika, Zahabiya, Dilkushi, Indika, Kanchana, and Niren, "I Rather Not Say So" examines and challenges themes of gender, sexuality, binaries, and our relationship to society's labels. 

Choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra in collaboration with Hope Rajasinghe, "I Arrived" is a duet performance that explores the theme of migration, examining the concept of home and its various meanings. The piece premiered at Park Street Mews. home. 

Choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra in collaboration with musician Natasha Senanayaka and the Department of Contemporary Dance at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka, "Seven: The Seeker, The Thinker" premiered three times.

This piece explores the significance of the number 7 across cultural, spiritual, and community perspectives.

We extend our gratitude to the talented dancers: Anabel, Onara, Roshni, Sandy, Dilkushi, Rangi, Roshan, Niren, Hope, and Thilini.

"Deconstruct the Embody" was a live performance exhibition choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra in collaboration with photographer Malaka Premasiri and company dancers Anabel, Onara, Hope, Niren, Anna, Roshni, Sandy, and Roshan.

The experience began with a tour of the exhibited pieces, leading into a performance that invited the audience to engage with the tensions of movement and light, rather than following a set narrative.

Choreographed by Umeshi Rajeendra, "The Awakening" premiered at the British School of Colombo Auditorium in Sri Lanka, selling out every night. This powerful piece addresses themes of racism, gender discrimination, and our rights as global citizens. 

Premiering in 2012 at Denison University in Ohio, "Ubiquity of Hybridity" explores the complexities of navigating multiple identities and the fluidity of spaces in between.