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Risa Nagel

Risa Nagel (she/her) has been dancing since the age of 4, when a pediatrician recommended ballet as way to fix her pigeon-toed walk. She grew up dancing with Glen Dance Company in New York for 15 years. Risa uses writing as a medium to express her values and perspectives, she currently works as a grant writer for a statewide civil rights organization, whose mission is to revolutionize public education so that a child’s race does not predict their success. Her writing has been published in the Seattle Times and Huffington Post, and her activism has been featured in the New York Times. In 2017, a year after moving to Seattle, Risa joined 3rd Shift Dance Company, and continues to blend her passions for dancing and writing as a critic with SeattleDances.

DANCECRUSH SPOTLIGHT: MIKHAIL CALLISTE

Mikhail Calliste speaks on his time with Spectrum, dancing in complexity, and the racial discomfort of Seattle. Catch his solo this weekend in Lyric Suite.

GENDER REVEAL PARTY

Kaitlin McCarthy’s Gender Reveal Party ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be pregnant, reclaiming agency as human and parent, and challenging gendered expectations.

RAJA FEATHER KELLY TALKS POP

Raja Feather Kelly (coming to Washington Ensemble Theatre’s GUSH series) uses pop culture to explore something deeper in UGLY (Black Queer Zoo).

WILD BEAUTY

A MLK Day ritual invites artists to take time and space for “Black power, heritage, creativity, and communion.”

SHOWING OUT PART ONE

The annual showcase featuring contemporary Black choreographers previews its January mainstage premiere, promising much to look forward to.