Nejla Yatkin
Birth Place: Berlin, Germany
Latest News on Nejla Yatkin:
REDCAT Will Present The World Premiere of REORIENT THE ORIENT in March (Feb 18, 2024)
Dance Artist Nejla Yatkin Celebrates International Women's Day With World Premiere Of OUROBOROS At Links Hall (Jan 17, 2024)
NEFA's National Dance Project Awards $2 Million for 2023 Production Grants (Sep 22, 2023)
REDCAT Will Present The World Premiere of REORIENT THE ORIENT in March (Feb 18, 2024)
Dance Artist Nejla Yatkin Celebrates International Women's Day With World Premiere Of OUROBOROS At Links Hall (Jan 17, 2024)
NEFA's National Dance Project Awards $2 Million for 2023 Production Grants (Sep 22, 2023)
Nejla Yatkin BIO
Nejla Yatkin Bio
Award –winning and internationally acclaimed choreographer and dancer, Nejla Y. Yatkin has been dancing, choreographing and teaching internationally for over 30 years. A native of Berlin, Germany, she graduated with her "Professional Concert Dance Degree" from "Die Etage" a Performing Arts College in Berlin, Germany. Nejla is currently based in Chicago dancing, choreographing and giving workshops at international and national festivals.
She brings a luminous and transcultural perspective to her dance works. While her choreography is never literal it nevertheless remains evocative of searing themes that resonate in universal human experience. Her focus is regularly drawn to the role of memory and history in constructing identity, causing conflict, and the possibility of transforming cultural tension into deep, authentic moments of human connection.
Her recent dances have been inspired by stories of events of significant places in the world. Such was the case with: “The Berlin Wall Project or “Oasis: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Middle East but Where Afraid To Dance”, and “Dancing with Cities”, a moving site-specific work that investigates urban sites. The success and power of “Cities” inspired “Dancing Around The World”- a site specific dance project which began in April 2015 and traveled in one year to 20 cities around the world to bring dance to the people.
Since 2000, Ms Yatkin has been choreographing solo works inspired by great female choreographers. To date, she has choreographed five evening-length solo works that have toured nationally and internationally to critical claim. In addition she choreographs evening length dance works for her own project-based company NY2Dance and commissioned dances on other companies such as the Washington Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theater and the Modern American Dance Company among many others.
In the past, she has been the recipient of four Artist Fellowship Awards for her Excellence Choreography from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and a three-time recipient of the Creative Performing Arts grant from the University of Maryland. Other awards include the “Local Dance Commissioning Project” by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, two Creation Funds and three Performing Americas Arts Residency tours from the National Performance Network.
For her past creations Ms. Yatkin has received five Metro D.C. Dance Awards, including two times the “Outstanding Individual Performance”, “Best Scenic Design”, “Best Multi- Media Performance” and “Best Overall Production.” In 2005, she was named as one of “Top 25 To Watch” by Dance Magazine and was given the award for “Outstanding Emerging Artist” by the D.C. Mayor’s Arts Award Committee. Since her Choreography Fellowship Award from the Princess Grace Foundation. In addition, she was awarded a 2009 Special Project grant as well a Princess Grace Works in Process Award to be in residence at the Baryshnikov Art Center in 2015. Since moving to Chicago in 2010 she was awarded locally the 2012 3Arts Award and the Illinois Individual Project grant as well as the Individual Art Project Grant from the City of Chicago. For her latest choreographic commission for a new Musical entitled "The Boy Who Dance On Air" she was awarded best Choreography in a new Musical from Stage Scene LA and nominated for Outstanding Choreography from the San Diego Theater Critics Circle for the 2016 Craig Noel Award.
In addition to her commitment to choreography, she is also passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation. From 2008 to 2012 she was an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Notre Dame and from 2001 to 2008 she was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Dance at the University of Maryland, College Park. Ms.Yatkin was also the producer and subject of the Documentary “Where Women Don’t Dance” to which premiered in 2016. Currently she is working on a new Documentary about the ‘Dancing Around The World” project
Nejla Yatkin Photos
Nejla Yatkin Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - The LaDuca Award for Outstanding Choreography
Nejla Yatkin, The Boy Who Danced on Air
Nejla Yatkin Videos
VIDEO: Creators Chat New Musical THE BOY WHO DANCED ON AIR at Abingdon
by BWW News Desk - May 4, 2017
Nejla Yatkin News
REDCAT Will Present The World Premiere of REORIENT THE ORIENT in March
Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT) will present the world premiere of Reorient the Orient, a career retrospective from renowned Los Angeles choreographer and performer Lionel Popkin on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, 2024. Learn more here!
Dance Artist Nejla Yatkin Celebrates International Women's Day With World Premiere Of OUROBOROS At Links Hall
Nejla Yatkin, a Guggenheim Fellow choreographer and global artist, celebrates International Women's Day with the world premiere of Ouroboros, an interactive, evening-length, solo dance-theatre performance that takes the audience on a transformative journey.
NEFA's National Dance Project Awards $2 Million for 2023 Production Grants
NEFA's National Dance Project has announced $2 million in production grants to fund the creation of 20 new dance projects that will be shared across the United States. Learn more about the initiative and the impact it will have on the dance community.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Unveils 2023/2024 Season Featuring Four World Premieres
Explore the impressive lineup of Dallas Black Dance Theatre's 2023/2024 season, featuring four world premieres. Don't miss out on the captivating performances by this renowned dance company.
DIWALI: ILLUMINATION Comes to Mandala South Asian Performing Arts
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, which connects audiences and students with the vibrancy, flavors, and colors of the performing arts traditions of South Asia, presents a new approach to its annual celebration of Diwali in a world premiere, Diwali: Illumination, with an Indo-jazz score by acclaimed jazz guitarist Fareed Haque.
THE JAZZ YATRA Comes to Mandala South Asian Performing Arts in September
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, which connects audiences and students with the vibrancy, flavors, and colors of the performing arts traditions of South Asia, presents the world premiere of The Jazz Yatra, showcasing South Asian dance traditions with an Indo-jazz score by acclaimed jazz guitarist Fareed Haque.
Matthew Lutz-Kinoy's FILLING STATION to be Presented at The Kitchen This Fall
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Matthew Lutz-Kinoy's exhibition 'Filling Station,' as it takes you on a journey through the fascinating realm of art and architecture. Presented by The Kitchen and Dia Art Foundation, this exhibition is a must-see for art enthusiasts and architecture lovers alike.
Chicago's First- Ever FIREBIRD PARADE Comes To Burnham Wildlife Corridor On July 8
On Saturday, July 8, Chicago-based dancemaker and 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in Choreography Nejla Yatkin presents for the first time the interactive and joyous Firebird Parade, where participants are invited to wear colorful homemade costumes and join one another in a festive procession of bird-inspired movements led by Yatkin to welcome the return of summer. Accompanied by live music, the Firebird Parade marks the culmination of Yatkin's four-week, 16-venue Firebird series presented as part of Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks.
Firebird Free Dance Pop-ups by Choreographer Nejla Yatkin Return to Chicago Parks
As part of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in Choreography Nejla Yatkin will surprise visitors in parks around Chicago with pop-up performances of her interactive and joyous Firebird dances for visitors to attend free of cost.
Review: GOOD GRIEF: SONGS OF THE MOON AND THE UNBROKEN CIRCLE at Kennedy Center
In Good Grief: Songs of the Moon and The Unbroken Circle creator Tariq Darrell O’Meally explores how we become more than what we’ve lost. His answer: we must grieve a person as much as we have loved them and balance loss with praise and celebration. The world premiere is the culmination of the 2022–23 Local Dance Commissioning Project.
FJK DANCE Returns To New York Live Artsfor Ninth Season, May 23-25
FJK DANCE, the ten member Iraqi-curated contemporary dance company, will celebrate their ninth season with a return to New York Live Arts, 219 West 19th Street, NYC, Tuesday, May 23 through Thursday, May 25.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Hustle At The Pillow, and More In Week 9 Of Jacob's PIllow Dance Festival 2022
Returning to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival for the first time since 2002, Denver-based modern dance company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, will perform in the Ted Shawn Theatre from Aug. 17-21, with pieces enriched in emotion, femininity, war, race, and elegance.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre's 45th Season Finale Features A World Premiere and Aerial and Tango Rhythms from Around the World
Dallas Black Dance Theatre marks the Finale of its 45th Season with its Spring Celebration performance showcasing a soaring aerial, tango rhythms from around the world, and a Kameron N. Saunders world premiere full of dazzling vibrancy set to an original musical score.
Chicago Dance Announces Recipients Of Inaugural DANCE FOR CAMERA Residency
See Chicago Dance, the dance industry's leading nonprofit service organization, announced the recipients of its inaugural Dance For Camera Production Residency.
The Ruth Page Center Presents A Re-imagining Of Ruth Page's Iconic Solo Performance EXPANDING UNIVERSE
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts presents its Fall 2021 Showcase: The “Expanding Universe” Project, as a part of its 50th Anniversary season.
Queens Theatre Presents TURNING IN PLACE: Celebrating The Works Of Women Choreographers In Film During The Pandemic
On International Women's Day - Monday, March 8th, 2021, Queens Theatre will present Turning in Place, a film showcase celebrating the work of emerging female-identifying choreographers. The premiere will take place at 7 PM EST and be immediately followed by a talkback session with the choreographers.
Jodi Kaplan & Associates Presents BOOKING DANCE FESTIVAL: NEW DIRECTIONS
Esteemed producer and dance agent, Jodi Kaplan, is proud to announce the public streaming of the BOOKING DANCE FESTIVAL: NEW DIRECTIONS dance extravaganza - a stunningly curated virtual showcase of dance works created during the pandemic.
3Arts Announces Inaugural Award For Women Visual Artists
3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced the inaugural 3Arts Next Level/Spare Room Award—a $50,000 unrestricted cash award given to three women visual artists who are past awardees—during its 13th annual 3Arts Awards Celebration hosted October 19 via livestream on YouTube.
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago Announces Fall Programming
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago has announced their fall programming season, which includes classes, discussion groups, virtual residencies for local artists, and more.
Josh Groban, Alanis Morissette, and More Announced for THE CALL TO UNITE Livestream Event
The Call to Unite is a 24-hour global livestream event that will unite people across the world to celebrate our shared humanity.
Nejla Yatkin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Nejla Yatkin been nominated for?
Nejla Yatkin has been nominated for The LaDuca Award for Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for her work on The Boy Who Danced on Air.
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