TAKE ROOT, now in its 10th season, nurtures dance artists at established stages in their careers, pairing them in a split bill or full evening-length program. This monthly series supports dance makers’ experimentation and growth by providing our venue, Green Space, along with full technical and marketing support to present their work to the NYC public.

About the Work

Yuki Hasegawa’s Masquerade is a contemporary dance work that projects the contrast between the “social character” and “true personalities” of people who parade at the festival Carnevale di Venezia. These celebrators can forget their social status and behave spontaneously and free behind their costumes and masks. Through contemporary dance, Masquerade reveals the true characters and personalities behind the facade.

About the Artists

Azul Dance Theatre, founded by Artistic Director Yuki Hasegawa, is a collective of NY-based contemporary dance artists. Since 2004, Azul creates dances that convey the invisible flow of energy known as “Chi” in Eastern philosophy to express the sensitive relationship between individual self and cosmic force. Azul’s work has been recognized for Hasegawa’s vision of creating works influenced by traditional Japanese culture, but “vividly contemporary in feel.” Azul’s most recent work, VISION (2016) was presented at Tribeca Performing Arts Center at BMCC, and excerpts of VISION were presented at the venues, such as Salvatore Capezio Theater, Gelsey Kirkland Performing Arts Center, and 92nd Street Y. Azul also presented Masquerade (excerpt) at Baruch Performing Arts Center in 2017. Ms. Hasegawa and company members conducted contemporary dance workshops for pre-professional dancers at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Mugen (2014) was voted for Best Choreography at NYC 10 Dance Initiative by the audience. Azul Dance Theatre is a recipient of CUNY Dance Initiative 2016 Residency Program and Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant.