Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
ABOUT THE WORK:
Nhyira grounds her work in Ghanaian ways of thinking and Afrocentric perspectives, drawing deeply from her cultural heritage and kinesthetic roots. She weaves music from her upbringing and movement beyond traditional concert dance into her practice, using dance not just as performance but as a vessel to access the emotional and communal truths that connect us.
Featured Work
Sincerely, (2025)- Reeling: Dance on Screen
A dance short film about a girl escaping reality in search of nostalgia and youth.
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Director and Choreographer: Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
Music: Kailyn Williams
DP: Kaci Peterson
Producer: Mark Aguilar
Gaffer and Art Assistant: Chiemeka Offor
Movement Direction Assistant: Mark Aguilar and Henry Leef
BTS and Poster Photographer: Josh Darkwah
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*selected for 2025 Reeling: Dance on Screen Festival in Edmonton, Canada*
SPECTACLE(2025)- Eryc Taylor New Choreographer Grant
A movement piece surrounding beauty inspired by the unspoken muse in Manet's "Olympia."
Music by Mars Storm Rucker, The Blue Devils, serpentwithfeet, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Kelea
Text and narration by Nina Simone and Nikki Giovanni
Score Arrangement by Mars Storm Rucker
Dancers: Kiyomi Davidson, Selena Lee, Taniah McKinney, Camille Phelps & Syd Worthy
*made possible with the fiscal support and mentorship of the Eryc Taylor Dance New Choreographer Grant*
photo by Noa Wollstein
Sham! (2023)- Moving Forward Emerging Choreographers' Festival
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A duet exploring the effects simulation has on the soul and body of the copier and blueprint.
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Music by Tierra Whack and Halluci Nation
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Dancers: Kaitlyn Posada & Lerato Ragontse
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photo by Jada Alfred
PRISM (2023) - Second Avenue Dance Company
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A piece that aims to explore the effects of societal structures and institutions forcing us to either relinquish parts of ourselves or assume the identity of those around us to reach what has been socially accepted as "success."
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Music by Klein, Simo Cell, and Doechii
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Dancers: Mark Aguilar, Lerato Ragontse, Jess Lemcke, Sean Quinn, Sage Sarai,
Matthew Mancuso, & Gary McCall
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Costume Design by Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
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*under the mentorship of Sidra Bell
through Upsurge Dance Festival*
photo by Ella Bromblin
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Ohemaa (2021, reimagined 2022):
ORIXA Project
A solo that explores the Foucauldian theory of discipline and power based on the Panopticon prison structure.
Music by Klein
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Dancer: Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante
*Winner of the 2022 Upsurge Dance Festival
Mentorship Award*
photo by Ella Bromblin
The Stoic Bridge (2019, re-imagined 2021):
Battery Dance Festival
In choreographic collaboration with Kate Louissaint
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​An artistic journey that seeks to bring to life Norman Rockwell’s painting of Ruby Bridges entitled “The Problem We All Live With."
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Music by Angelique Kidjo, Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante, & Kate Louissaint
Dancers: Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante and Kate Louissaint
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*featured in the Dance Enthusiast*
photo by Steven Pisano