The Gift from Gaia: Acts I, II, and III.

The Gift from Gaia: Acts I, II, and III is an immersive performance that combines contemporary dance, poetry, live music, and design. The premiere performance took place on September 7 and 14, 2024, in the interior courtyard of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, located on Calle Beneficencia in Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Through Acts I, II, and III, The Gift from Gaia presents a profound exploration of the complex interplay between life, bodies, and consent. The performers use silences, gestures, movements, rules, and melodies to convey their values, approach, and philosophy.

Shamira Santiago Borrero poet

Ángel Blanco Colón mover, consultant for choreography and improvisation

Cristina Lugo Candela mover, consultant for choreography and improvisation

Rafael Cañals Pérez artist, consultant for choreography and improvisation

María Rodríguez Torrado mover, consultant for choreography and improvisation

Miriam Lopez Casiano mover, consultant for choreography and improvisation

Marino Funakoshi mover, consultant for choreography and improvisation

Vivian Méndez Rivera cellist

Gabriel Puig Rullán sound technician

Héctor Tarrido Picart music producer

Adrián Schwarz Iglesias cinematographer

Paola Quevedo Santos photographer

Rolando Gomez Ramos photographer

Evan Stolatis manufacturer

Henry Koehler digital ilustrator

Abdiel Reyes Pérez sign language interpreter

Janice Quevedo Santos in-person assistance

José Colón Villafañe in-person assistance

Special Thanks to:

Alberto Nabij, Alexander Cuesta, Andres Mélendez, Clara Villafañe, Daniela Guarín, Eric Primo, Jan Candelaria, José Colón, José Torrado, Lourdes Amador, Luis Viyella, Manuel Colón, Mirian Schwarz, Nicholas Baker, Nick Wargo, Shellar García and Seth Binsted.

Gabriel Colón Amador, author, creative director

This project was made possible through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña.

* short documentary in progress—stay tuned for updates