Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: Year of the Black Water Rabbit resources
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to celebrate another Lunar New Year and the coming of spring 2023 with the Year of the Black Water Rabbit. This festive production features the company’s iconic Red Lions dancing to a hip hop beat and a visit from the beautiful Golden Dragon. There will also be acrobats and musicians performing in gold and red outfits, which are said to bring good fortune to all who attend the performance.
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company was founded in 1988 by the late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and her husband, Andy Chiang. The couple shared a vision of creating a company that was “a premier provider of innovative cultural experiences” to reflect the “hope and energy of the immigrant’s journey.”
Sadly, Nai-Ni Chen passed away in 2021. Still, her legacy lives on in the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, which continues to connect Chinese and American communities through dance and education.
ABOUT THE NJPAC ON THE MIC PODCAST
NJPAC On the Mic is an audio resource that takes Schooltime Performances to the next level. This podcast series features three exclusive, curriculum standards-aligned episodes for all of NJPAC’s 2022-2023 Schooltime Performances. On the Mic offers students the opportunity to engage their listening skills, deepen their understanding of the performance, and learn about the process of bringing a live or recorded production to life. This immersive audio experience features a theme song by students in the NJPAC arts education program.
How to Listen to njpac on the mic podcast
BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: ABOUT (7 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an introduction to the
performance, the artist or company, and the venue.
Includes: An introduction to the performance, artists & venue, welcome message
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music by Slim Beats from NJPAC Hip Hop Arts and Culture Program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Voiceover by Michael Aquino
Welcome message voiced by Andy Chiang
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: CONNECT (10 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for reflection questions, a closer
look at an aspect of the performance such as historical context or background on
the art form, and a brief selection of vocabulary words.
Includes: Reflection questions, a look at the Chinese zodiac and Chinese New Year traditions, a brief selection of vocabulary words
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music by Slim Beats from NJPAC Hip Hop Arts and Culture Program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Opening question voiced by Andy Chiang
Episode: SPOTLIGHT (18 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an exclusive interview with
an artist from the production or an NJPAC staff member followed by discussion
prompts.
Includes: An exclusive interview with Andy Chiang, discussion starters
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos | Additional writing by Sharon Adarlo and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Sound editing and design by Michael Aquino
Theme and outro music by Slim Beats from NJPAC Hip Hop Arts and Culture Program
Additional music from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company productions Year of the Rat & Year of the Ox
Interview guest: Andy Chiang
NJPAC’s Arts Education programs: njpac.org/arts-education
NJPAC | About NJPAC: njpac.org/about
Year of the Black Water Rabbit NJPAC resources: njpac.org/arts-education/teacher-resources
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: nainichen.org/programs*
Chinese New Year | Chinese Zodiac: chinesenewyear.net/zodiac*
PBS | State of the Arts – Unity: Choreographer Nai-Ni Chen Remembered: pbs.org/video/unity-choreographer-nai-ni-chen-remembered-v02hxg*
MIT | Slice of MIT – A Computer Scientist Applies Systems Thinking to Dance: alum.mit.edu/slice/computer-scientist-applies-systems-thinking-dance*
NYU | Steinhhardt: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/donna-walker-kuhne