Tabula Rasa Dance Theater’s performers taking a bow – Photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
Tabula Rasa Dance Theater, hailed as “the future of dance” by The Dance Enthusiast, presents “Sin Fronteras-No Borders” on June 20th, 21st, and 22nd at 2 pm at El Museo del Barrio in Manhattan.
Tabula Rasa Dance Theater, a unique entity that defies traditional dance boundaries, was founded by Felipe Escalante in 2018. The company, which does not conform to any specific dance genre, embraces immigrants, people of all colors, and individuals of all ages.
This inclusive approach is reflected in the company’s name, Tabula Rasa, which means ‘blank slate’ in Latin, symbolizing the absence of predetermined goals or preconceived ideas.
Felipe Escalanate, Photograph by JARED SISKIN
Escalante, a talented Mexican-born dancer and choreographer, utilizes his art to shed light on pressing societal issues. His work is a testament to his continuous efforts to transform, inspire, and enlighten, as he fearlessly confronts cultural identity and border politics.
Border Of Lights, Photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
The monumental ‘Border of Lights’ piece, set to Mozart’s Requiem and featuring 18 dancers, is a response to the global issue of immigrant demonization. Escalante, now 35, conceived this powerful theme over four and a half years ago. His vision, which addresses the immigration crisis and xenophobia, has been brought to life through the dedication and hard work of the entire dance company.
Felipe Escalante at a rehearsal for Border Of Lights in 2023, Photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
Before its world premiere at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater on June 15th and 16th, 2023, Escalante and Amy Fine Collins, a member of the Board of Directors, invited me to sit in on one of the many daily rehearsals open to the media, held at various studios throughout the city. I could feel the joy and exhilaration, and I saw the hard work that goes into creating a dance production.
“We really have to love what we’re doing to keep going,” admits Escalante, who applied for a grant from the NY State Council on the Arts to perform at El Museo del Barrio, the nation’s first Latinx and Latin American cultural institution. Its newly restored theater was a great choice and a significant one at that.
Border Of Lights, Photograph by Steve Pisano
Border of Lights examines prejudices against specific groups of people and highlights intense moments of conflict and protest. It looks at the crudest dehumanization of immigrant children, kept like livestock in cages. It shows the desperation of Latin American women, their bodies violated or their lives sacrificed during their tragic northward journeys.
Border of Lights, Photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
Through movement, music, costume, lighting, and the body, this production explores how cultural identity transcends geographical boundaries, drawing on both the collective and individual memories that shape and enrich the immigrant experience. As the fastest-growing ethnic group in New York, Mexicans are continuously strengthening and redefining the city’s culture and economy.
“Señor Felipe Escalante may well become, pray, those rare Russian cultural forces, those unique artistic species—a hybrid of Diaghilev (Ballets Russes), and/or George Balanchine, in the artistic sphere of choreography, dance/performance.” – Ike Ude.
Border of Lights, Photo by Paula Lobo
Escalante’s bold contemporary dance program also featured the world premiere of Escaramuza, Escalante’s tribute to Mexico’s fearless all-female equestrian teams, known for their fierce and strong femininity, as well as their synchronized, side-saddle maneuvers performed in traditional dress. Escaramuza (which means “skirmish” in Spanish) was a male-only team that originated in the 1950s.
Marilyn Kirschner & Amy Fine Collins, Photograph by Joshua Kamei
Ten women are jumping and running the whole time, covering a distance of twenty-six minutes, showcasing their dedication and passion. Felipe admits it’s a tough performance, but their commitment is truly inspiring.
Escalante’s connection to his art runs deep. He grew up with horses in Mexico and had a cousin who was a member of Escaramuza. His idea for this piece has been brewing since he was 18, and after hearing Philip Glass’s Violin Concertos, Felipe knew he had found the perfect music to accompany the performance.
Escalante brings personal experience to the themes of movement, identity, and resistance. Photo by Ann Mescher
Felipe’s dance journey is a testament to his versatility and dedication. He began performing the Mexican folk dances of his natural region as a little boy and has since mastered and performed other dance styles, including flamenco, Modern Dance, and Jazz. He also studied cross-training methods to obtain the tools for optimum performance and body art.
Border of Lights, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Escalante began his career at the age of 6, choreographed his first piece at 16, and has since developed a repertoire of more than 20 works. In 2018, Escalante received a grant from the Ford Foundation to create “From the Shadow Into the Light,” an initiative addressing the global refugee crisis. “Inside Our Skins” 2019 focused on the injustices of mass incarceration.
During the 2020 pandemic, Escalante presented “Liquidus,” a virtual piece about the psychological toll of shelter-in-place. Then, in the summer of 2021, he brought “One of Four,” a work examining gender-based violence, to the four boroughs of New York City.
Other social issues Felipe hopes to address in the future are mental illness, gun violence, climate change, and ageism.
