Ballet Nepantla

Ballet Nepantla fuses contemporary dance with Mexican folklorico to explore new and interpretive ways of delving into cultural and historical "in-between-ness." Born from the historical vicissitudes of the Rio Grande Valley and the Texas-Mexico borderlands, Ballet Nepantla centers its storytelling on exploring experiences of violence and reconciliation, marginalization, and healing. The company fosters an understanding of the border’s complexity through performance and community dialogue. Bookings include full-length and condensed performances with post-show Q and As, talkbacks and masterclasses (ballet, contemporary, folklorico, afro). Performances: Valentina: addresses the strength and resilience of women during Revolutionary Mexico. (Tours March–July); Mistica: honors and celebrates the creative and spiritual energies of Mexico's indigenous, Afro, and Hispanic roots. Commemorates traditions of Dia De Muertos and transports the audience into the afterlife using blacklight and unique fusion of ballet, folklorico, and contemporary dance. (Tours August–November); Nacimiento: fuses the history of the birth of the mestizaje with the emergence of Christianity and Christmas in the New World. It explores pre-Hispanic rituals, the impact of colonization on the Americas, and displays the festive nature of how Mexican Christmas traditions are celebrated today in greater Mexico. (Tours November–February); Sin Fronteras: a synergistic celebration crossing geographic, historical, and artistic borders (Tours all year). Photo by Tony Pena.