Dana Sánchez-Graham
I am.
I do.
I exist.
I exist as an eternal dance of transformation;
A product of diverse origins;
A distinct thread within the tapestry found on the US-Mexican border.
I move through life to the rhythm and beat of cumbia. It is an echoing heartbeat that defines my journey as a fronteriza. I am an artist because of the way I see the world and not because of the work that I am paid for. As a deviser and performer, I investigate the ways in which movement functions as an extension of our cultural and religious identities, and how our external environment feeds into our understanding of these identities. My purpose lies in deconstructing the fronteriza identity, venturing into the obscure and trans formative spaces where dispossession, geography, ritual, and the shadows of violence coalesce.
My work typically includes the use of water, clay, and seeds to craft a visceral embodiment of the sensation of "stuck-ness." It's an arresting sensation every person encounters when the borders within themselves or their surroundings are touched—a palpable reminder of constraint. My point of departure when creating is deep listening; long walks in the city, observing silence, meditating, and moving. All to prime my body to remain in an open state for the duration of my work.
* Fronteriza: Directly translated as “borderlander”; someone who embodies two languages and cultures and moves between them.*
Currently Based in Berlin, Germany/ Rio Grande Valley, TX (US-Mexico Border)
Education
2021-23 Master of Fine Arts: Devised Theatre Practices | Arthaus Berlin and Rose Bruford College
2018-21 Bachelor of Arts: Dance Performance | Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA
2018-21 Bachelor of Science: Cultural Anthropology | Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA
Devised Performance
2022 "King", Performed as a part of the Cabaret Noir at Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2022 "California Dream", Performed alongside Li Zelin as a part of the Cabaret Noir, Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2022 "Together We Scam", Devised & performed in collaboration with Manish Ruparel and Isa Lugo-Malave at the Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2023 "Origin", devised in collaboration with Manish Ruparel and Amberly Plourde at the Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2023 "Part 2: Lejanía", Devised and performed at Arthaus Berlin Festival, Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2023 "Frontera/Procesión-Un ritual del Agua", directed by Amanda Piña, Choreographed by Rodrigo De LaTorre Radial System, Berlin, DE
2023 "Constellations", Devised in collaboration with Alejandro Rodriguez at Black Circle Theatre, Holstebro, DK in July and the ACUD theatre in Berlin in November.
Theatre
2012 "John Lennon and Me", The Torturer, Directed by Marisa Harris and Holly DeLeon, Rio Grande Valley One Act Play
2013 "April Fish", Assunta, Directed by Marisa Harris, Rio Grande Valley One Act Play
2016 "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying", Hedy LaRue, Directed by Stacey Gonzalez
2017 "Once Upon A Mattress," Winnifred, Directed by Stacey Gonzalez
2018 "Zu's Earth," Choctaw Ancestor, Directed by Isaac Byrne at Texas State University Department of Acting
2018 "Brigadoon," Chorus/Dancer, Directed by Charlie Richter at Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance
Dance
2016 "The Nutcracker," Flower/Snowflake, Choreographed by Deborah Case for Deborah Case Dance Academy
2018 "You've Got Mail," Dancer, Choreographed by Hailey Holliday
2019 "Undounbeb," Dancer, Choreographed by Mathew Guerra
2020 "They Were Onto Something", Dancer, Choregraphed by Thomas Gedrich
Digital/ Multimedia
2020 "Babbel," Devised and Performed digitally in collaboration with AJ Banta, Changing Lenses
2021 "Pruning", devised, filmed, and directed by Dana Graham, South Padre Island, TX
2022 "The Bridge," Directed by Deep Dakshy and Jose Luis Perdigón, Kollektiv Unruhe, B
2023 "Clownfish", Digital exhibition at Eden Studios, Berlin, DE
2023 "Part 1: ***", Digital exhibition at Arthaus Berlin Festival, Eden Studios, Berlin, DE and Digital Exhibition at Miraaa Media Festival Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA