New York, July 12 (CNA) Taiwan's Resident Island Dance Theatre will perform "Ice Age" in the United States later this month, as part of a program that fosters cultural understanding between the U.S. and international communities.
"Ice Age" is choreographed by Chang Chung-an (張忠安), artistic director and founder of Resident Island Dance Theatre, who is partially sighted; and French dancer Maylis Arrabit, a wheelchair user, according to the Center Stage website.
The dance challenges external forces and shows the potential of a physically, mentally and emotionally integrated world, the website says.
"This outstanding physically inclusive company performs works rooted in the power of the human body and spirit," the Center Stage website says.
At a press conference at Taiwan's representative office in New York on Wednesday, Chang said it would be the group's first performance in the U.S., and he was very excited to share the spirit of Taiwan with American audiences, through dance.
"Ice Age" does not focus on the defects of individuals with physical disabilities, but rather on the thoughts and feelings of people in different countries and how they coped with isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
According to the U.S. Department of State's website, Center Stage is a groundbreaking cultural diplomacy initiative that connects foreign artists with American communities through the performing arts, bringing international performing artists in dance, music and theater to tour the U.S.
"Participating artists experience the U.S. first hand and cultivate lasting relationships," the website says. "The program supports the foreign policy goals of the United States."
Six groups -- from Taiwan, Argentina and Armenia -- were selected to participate in Season 6 of the program, which runs from 2022 to 2023.
Chang said Resident Island Dance Theatre was selected to perform "Ice Age," even though the piece was unfinished at the time.
"It seems that while people with physical disabilities may not become professional dancers, they've shown on stage that they can perform like professionals, and maybe that's why the group was selected," he said.
Deirdre Valente, vice president of the performing arts company that manages Center Stage, said Resident Island Dance Theatre's selection this year was well deserved and she was honored to introduce the dance group to American audiences.
Resident Island Dance Theatre will perform at the American Dance Festival in North Carolina on July 18 and 20, and at the Jacob's Pillow Festival in Massachusetts on July 26, according to the Center Stage website.
