ZiRu Dance, led by Philein Wang, will collaborate with One Life Counseling Center (One Life) to conduct research, create and lead a series of movement classes, and choreograph a new body of dance works exploring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Dancers from ZiRu Dance and therapists at One Life will engage in a year-long research process in which ZiRu Dance members will teach movement therapy dance classes to One Life patients as a supplement to their treatment. From this effort, Wang and ZiRu Dance will build a movement vocabulary for a new dance work that follows the story of visual artist Areta Wang, who suffers from PTSD and who will be a key collaborator on the project.
For years, Philein Wang’s work has focused on cross-cultural collaborations with artists worldwide, using dance as a common language. Her company, ZiRu Dance, produces original works as well as the Silicon Valley Dance Festival, featuring work from the region, across the country, and abroad. The festival regularly attracts audiences of 2,000 or more.
One Life Counseling Center features a staff of skilled therapists and change agents who aim to inspire, educate, and provide accessible counseling for anyone who needs it any cost. Led by executive director Suzanne Hughes, One Life specializes in treatment for trauma and recently completed an organization-wide approach to developing trauma-informed systems for care.
Photo by Fan Yong Jun