Bay Windows – Jacob Anderson-Minshall
As one of the nation?s only out transgender choreographers, Sean Dorsey says he is often asked, ?Why modern dance?? In some ways he understands the question. After all, modern dance has traditionally neglected, excluded and alienated trans people.
?But,? Dorsey appeals, ?there?s something so powerful, so visceral, about expressing ourselves and our stories using the body.?
Dorsey speaks of the passion that has haunted him since childhood. He danced as kid, but, as an adult, he set it aside to focus on activism and community organizing,
?I figured that was the best way to serve my trans-queer community, so I left dance behind,? Dorsey says. But he couldn?t ignore the siren song of dance?s call. ?After much soul-searching, I finally realized I could marry my activism and my art by telling trans and queer stories through dance.?
Dorsey?s performances fuse modern dance, theater and storytelling to bring trans and queer stories to the stage. Last year the 33-year-old choreographer became the first trans person given a San Francisco Arts commission grant to create and perform pieces reflecting gender variance. Dorsey turned that award into his most recent piece, The Outsider Chronicles, which premiered to sold-out houses and was praised widely by critics. BalletTanz has named him one of the international dance scene?s most promising choreographers; and he?s been nominated for the Isadora Duncan Dance Award. Although proud of these accomplishments, Dorsey says it?s the hidden message that pleases him most.