Wendy Jehlen – Founder/Artistic Director

Wendy Jehlen’s career has been marked by international explorations, study and creative collaboration. Her unique approach to choreography incorporates elements of Bharata Natyam, Odissi, Capoeira, Kalaripayattu, West African dance, Butoh, and a wide-range of Contemporary movement forms. Her emotionally powerful choreography has been created and performed in the US, Canada, Italy, India, Japan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Mali and Turkey, with current collaborative projects in Benin, Japan, India, Brazil and Turkey.

Her works include Entangling (2015), a duet with Burkinabe choreographer Lacina Coulibaly inspired by Quantum Entanglement; The Deep (2015), a work for 25 dancers created in São Paulo, Brazil, Lilith (2013), a solo on the first woman; The Knocking Within (2012), an evening-length duet on a disintegrating relationship; Forest (2010), a journey through the archetypal forest; He Who Burns (2006), a trio on the figure of Iblis (Satan); Breathing Space (2003), a collaboration with Japanese choreographer Hikari Baba in Tokyo; Crane (2002), based on images from Japanese Buddhist poetry; and Haaaa (2002), inspired by the experience of childbirth.


Awards, Commissions and Grants (a selection):

Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art Building Bridges grant (2017)
The Boston Foundation Live Arts Boston (2017)
The Japan Foundation (2017)
NEFA New England Dance Fund (2016, 2017)
Network of Ensemble Theaters (2016, 2017)
APAP Cultural Exchange Fund (2015, 2016)
Brother Thomas Fellowship/The Boston Foundation (2012-2013)

American Institute of Indian Studies (2001, 2013)
National School of Drama, India (2006, 2011, 2013)

Boston Dance Alliance (2013)
Massachusetts Cultural Council Choreography Fellowship (2012)
Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology (2012)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2009, 2010, 2012)
Indian Council for Cultural Relations (2011)
US Consulate General in Chennai (2011)

Boston Center for the Arts (2010, 2015, 2017)
Puffin Foundation (2001, 2009)
Boston Musica Viva (2008)
Jahan-e-Khusrau Festival (2007)
Alliance Francaise de Madras (2006)
United States Educational Foundation in India (2006)
National Endowment for the Arts (2005)
Seattle International Children’s Festival (2005)
Fulbright Program (2005)
Tokyo American Center (2002)
Massachusetts Cultural Council Choreography Finalist (2001, 2003)
Fabrica, SpA (1998-1999)
Arts International (1996)


Residencies and Workshops (a selection):
Donko Seko, Bamako, Mali
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Brown University
Rishi Valley School
Kalakshetra
Pondicherry University
Trissur School of Drama
Play Practice Residency, Bangalore
Eluciole Circus, Auroville
World Organization of Silent Peoples, Tokyo, Japan
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorki, India

Performances in:
Cotonou, Benin
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Bamako, Mali
Tiradentes, Brazil
São Paulo, Brazil
Montreal, Canada
Delhi, India
Chennai, India
Pondicherry, India
Bangalore, India
Cochin, India
Trissur, India
Hyderabad, India

Rishi Valley, India
Ranchi, India
Trivandrum, India
Florence, Italy
Fano, Italy
Rome, Italy
Treviso, Italy
Modena, Italy
Catania, Italy
Tokyo, Japan
Riga, Latvia
Bamako, Mali
Mastricht, The Netherlands
Locarno, Switzerland
New York City, USA
Washington, DC, USA
Providence, USA
Boston, USA
Seattle, USA
Houston, USA
Oklahoma City, USA
Stillwater, OK, USA