Sutra Dance Theatre and Battery Dance Company Present “Into The Centre” in Kuala Lumpur

Sean Scantlebury and Sutra dancers perform “L’Apres Midi d’un Faune,” to music by Debussy. (U.S. Embassy photo)

Ramli Ibrahim performs “Into the Centre,” to music from “Alms for Shanti.” (U.S. Embassy photo)

“Into the Centre,” billed as “an international dance collaboration celebrating the timeless spirits of both Eastern and Western dance traditions,” premiered in Kuala Lumpur on September 22, and was performed through September 25. The Sutra Dance Theatre of Kuala Lumpur and the Battery Dance Company of New York presented “Into the Centre,” featuring the dancers of both companies.  Under the artistic direction of Ramli Ibrahim and Jonathan Hollander, the dancers, including Guna, Rathimalar, Harenthiran, and Ramli himself from Sutra Dance Theatre and Sean Scantlebury, Robin Cantrell, and Carmen Nicole from Battery Dance Company, performed four pieces combining the music, choreography and stylistic impressions of both the east and the west.

Co-sponsored in part by the U.S. State Department’s Performing Arts Initiative and the Sutra Foundation, “Into the Centre” is, in the words of U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones, “an awe-inspiring example of the collaboration which can be achieved between our peoples… the discipline, dedication and devotion to their art of the dancers of both countries blended together to create something new: a fusion of the disparate experiences, hopes and dreams of the people of two nations on opposite sides if the world.”

Following the performances in KL, the dancers and directors of both companies will conduct “Dancing to Connect” workshops in KL, Penang, and Kota Kinabalu, reaching out to hundreds of aspiring dancers who would otherwise lack the opportunity to learn and improve their art.