Chronology -Sarah Swenson
Note: most of the numerous re-stagings and performances of my choreography by Vox Dance Theatre, and college and university dance departments, and local, regional, and international festivals are not noted below, only the world premieres. Also, only a couple of the numerous instances of Simone Forti’s Dance Constructions and other performance pieces I have taught, installed, or performed worldwide since 2012 are listed.
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untitled improvisational performance 2026
Dates TBD. At the Casa Ulivo hut, invitation of Fabio Sargentini e Elsa Agalbato
Vignaie, Umbria, Italy.
Singapore Remote (2026/2020)
University of Singapore, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore. A space grant from School of Dance and Theatre for rehearsal, production, and performance to complete Singapore Remote [see below under 2020), a collaborative project begun under Covid with Singaporean artists Felicia Lim, Neo Jialing, Shangbin Xie, Sonia Kwek, and Wong Kwang Lin.
Venice Biennale College Danza Residency 2023
May & July 2023. Laboratory: Practices of Simone Forti. Teaching and installation of Dance Constructions to Biennale College Danza students on the occasion of Simone’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement. Interview and documentary for broadcast by RAI Television, Italy’s national station, released March 3, 2023. Documentary
PW: fortiBiennale2025
Florence Academy of Fine Arts Residency 2023
May 8-10, 2023. Accademia di Belli Arte di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
Cup of Words, Sarah’s creation practice laboratory for visual art students from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, concluding with performances by the students. Sarah performed joyland (2009), a Cup of Words solo created for Simone Forti by Sarah Swenson.
how to make a red flower (2023) [film] 22:48 view
March 18, 2023. Filmed at Garfield Park, Alhambra, CA.
Movement score, videography, and editing by Sarah Swenson.
Performed by Vox Dance Theatre and guests. An invitation by Iranian artist
Zoya Shokhooi to contribute to the project commemorating the massacre in Iran known as
Bloody November [2019]. The1500 people killed were protesting the theocratic government.
Plectra & Percussion Dances (2022) sextet 45’
World premiere, June 17, 2022, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles.
Music by Harry Partch, the tryptic Plectra & Percussion Dances (1949-1952).
[Castor & Pollux, Ring Around The Moon, Even Wild Horses]. Commissioned by
The Partch Ensemble, choreography by Sarah Swenson.
Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Bells for Iran (2022) ensemble, 10’
December 15, 2022, La Portineria Gallery, Florence, Italy. A movement meditation by Sarah Swenson, performed by the public at the exhibition For Iran: Women, Life, Freedom, part of a project curated by Zoya Shokoohi and Mohammad Fallah.
Simone Forti/Senza Fretta (2021)
September 5, 2021, Prato, Italy. Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci.
Sarah performs Simone Forti’s solos: Zoo Mantras, News Animations, and Illuminations (duet with Charlemagne Palestine) at the finnisage of the Simone Forti/Senza Fretta exhibit.
Castor & Pollux (2021) ensemble, 14’
World premiere June 4-5, 2021, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
[Part I of the Harry Partch tryptic, Plectra & Percussion Dances]. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, commissioned by the Partch Ensemble. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre, music by Harry Partch (1952).
A virtual event filmed for streaming under Covid.
Lockdown Garden (2020) [film] 11:33 view
August 23, 2020, San Pancrazio Salentino, Italy. A dance and music improvisation performed and filmed by Sarah Swenson & Alessandro Girasoli.
Where The Sea Meets The Land (2020) [film] 9:38 view
May 25, 2020. Filmed on locations in Los Angeles and Laguna Beach, CA.
Screened in London, Rome, Los Angeles, and La Jolla, CA. A movement film directed, videographed, and edited by Sarah Swenson. With Terence Luke Johnson, Osbey Jackson, and Norma Swenson. Music by Sam Alty, Where The Sea Meets The Land.
Singapore Remote (2020-2026).
In Singapore and online. In progress - scheduled for completion with a space and production grant for performance in September 2025 at Lasalle College Flexible Performance Space. A collaborative project using Sarah’s Cup of Words creation process. With Singaporean artists Neo Jialing, Sonia Kwek, Felicia Lim, Wong Kwang Lin, Shangbin Xie. Project begun January 2020. First performances September 2025, dates TBD.
National Gallery Singapore (2019)
January 14-17, 2019, Singapore. In residence teaching Dance Constructions. Sarah performs Simone Forti’s See Saw with invited See Saw artist, Rizman Putra.
landlovevoicesoldier (2019) solo, 17’
May 16, 2019, Studio showing at Gibney Dance Studios, New York, NY.
Completing landlovevoicesoldier with visually impaired dancer Suleiman Rifai. A creation for Suleiman using Sarah’s Cup of Words process, music by Alessandro Girasoli, Runway, Passport.
Fire Within (2017) trio, 6’
World premiere June 10, 2017, Herbert Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, commissioned by Vox Femina Women's Choir for their 20th Anniversary concert, Women on the Rise. Music arranged by Christina Wilson, based on music composed by Marytha Paffrath and Dakota Butterfield. Performed by members of Vox Dance Theatre.
Stanza di Colori (2017) ensemble, 13’
World premiere February 24, 2017, Teresina Bortolucci Library, Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy. Choreography by Sarah Swenson. Original Score by Alessandro Girasoli, Stanza I, II, III. Art Direction by Giorgia Vicini. Performed by advanced students of R. Montecuccoli Middle School.
Words In Diego's World (2016) solo 8’
February 15, 2016, Leonardo Da Vinci Sant’Antonio Primary School Auditorium, Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson. Text by Diego Malverti, a teen writer with autism, from his book Io Non So Come Si Sta Da Voi [I Don’t Know Your World]. Score by Alessandro Girasoli.
Clamor (2015) ensemble 16’
World premiere October 10, 2015, Allen Theater, Cleveland OH.
Original score by Alessandro Girasoli, The Crawl, The Politico, Celebration.
Commissioned by Mary Verdi Fletcher, Founder and Artistic Director of Dancing Wheels Company, the first physically integrated dance company in the United States, for their 35th Anniversary, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Clamor was inspired by the March 10, 1990 act of civil disobedience known as “the capitol crawl” that helped propel the ADA to passage.
Stabat Mater (2014) ensemble, 23’
Original music by Alessandro Girasoli: Infinita, Preghiera, Stabat Mater.
World premiere August 20, 2014, Masseria Mazzetta a Corte del Falconiere, Salice Salentino, Italy. Choreography Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson and guests.
Fiori, Fiori (2014) teen ensemble, 6’
World premiere May 10, 2014, Herbert Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA.
Fiori, Fiori (2014) choreography by Sarah Swenson, created for and performed by Modern Dance Division Students of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. Music by Léo Delibes, Flower Duet from Lakmé.
Campane Suite (2013) and Brigantesse Encore (2013) ensemble, 29’
World premieres May 29, 2013, Colburn School Grand Rehearsal Hall. Los Angeles, CA. Campane Suite and Brigantesse Encore, choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson and Vox Dance Theatre. Music by Alessandro Girasoli: Nord, Campane, Solo, Voci, and live music by Musicàntica (Enzo Fina & Roberto Catalano) Pizzica del Deserto.
Holberg Dances (2013) very large ensemble ages 7-19), 22’
World premiere, May 18, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by all levels of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Department. Music by Edvard Grieg, Holberg Suite, Op. 40, played live by the Colburn School Chamber Orchestra.
Ballare (2013) teen ensemble, 8’
World premiere, May 18, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the Advanced Studies repertoire class of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Department. Music by Igor Stravinsky,
Septet, Mvts. I & III, played live by the Colburn School Chamber Orchestra.
Campane (2013) youth ensemble, 10’
Premiere, January 9, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
For Little Tokyo’s Annual Kotihajime New Year Festival. Performed by students of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Division. Music by Alessandro Girasoli, Campane.
Al Noor (2012) ensemble, 30’
World premiere June 3, 2012, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles, CA.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre in the premiere of Al Noor (2012), choreography by Sarah Swenson. Music by Carl Stone: Som Tum, Meteors, Al Noor, Gossamer Cloth On the Coffee Table. Performed amidst the Sky Ladder installation of Cai Guo-Qiang, including his gunpowder murals, crop circle installation, and videos.
Debut Suite (2012) very large youth ensemble, ages 7-19, 15’
Premiere June 5, 2012, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
Music by John Psathas: His Second Time, and Shigeru Umebayashi, Yumeji's Theme.
Performed by Level II Modern dance students and Advanced Modern Repertoire students of
the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute of the Colburn School.
Brigantesse (2011) ensemble, 40’
World premiere October 20-23, 2011, Instituto de Cultura de Baja California, Mexico.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre tour the premiere of Brigantesse in Baja, California cities Tijuana, Tecate, Ensenada, and Mexicali, with live music by Musicàntica, traditional music of Puglia, and the complete Fimmine (2005), all choreography by Sarah Swenson.
Fimmine in Kimono (2005/2011)
October 16, 2011. World Festival of Sacred Music at Japanese American Cultural & Community Center Plaza, Los Angeles, CA. Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theater perform Sarah’s Fimmine in Kimono, an adaptation of her signature work, Fimmine (2005), and students from the Colburn School’s Trudl Zipper Dance Institute in Sarah’s teen work, Pavane for an Iraqi Girl.
APAP Conference 2011
January 7-9, 2011. Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre showcasing the complete Fimmine (2005), choreography by Sarah Swenson at City Center Theater Studios 4 & 5, Alvin Ailey Studio 5, and Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Conversation Piece (2010)
September 19 & 26, 2010, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA.
A collaboration with Simone Forti & The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle. A whimsical, thoughtful, dance/theater work exploring the art of conversation through a variety of structures, scores and actions. Kristen Smiarowski, dramaturg.
Western Arts Alliance Conference 2010
August 31, 2010, Beacon Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Long Beach, CA.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre perform Sarah’s Fimmine (2005) in the Affiliated Dance Showcase.
Auriga (2009) quintet, 17’
World premiere October 3, 2009, Landis Performing Arts Center, Riverside, CA. Dancing Beyond Borders: Dancers For Life 15/AIDS Benefit. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
To Borrow Salt (2009)
June 19-20, 2009, The Box Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
A collaboration with Simone Forti & The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson,
Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle. The quartet cycles events into various juxtapositions with each other, creating a kaleidoscopic narrative focused on language.
Kristin Smiarowski, dramaturg.
A Tribute to Rudy Perez (2009)
June 6, 2009, Luckman Fine Arts Complex Intimate Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
Sarah Swenson’s Vox Dance Theatre and The Rudy Perez Performance Ensemble appear together in A Tribute to Rudy Perez. Cuatro (2005), choreography by Sarah Swenson, is re-dedicated to Rudy Perez for his 80th birthday. Music by Steve Moshier, Archaic Remnants, Mvt. 5.
Pavane for an Iraqi Girl (2008) teen ensemble, 10’
World premiere March 22, 2008, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA.
Pavane for an Iraqi Girl [Abeer Qassim Hamza Al-Janabi]. Choreography by Sarah Swenson. Music by Ryuchi Sakamoto, Chinsagu No Hana, and Glenn Branca, Symphony No. 2, Movement II.
Performed by Ken Montalvo, Robert Valdovinos, and Danny Arreola, with Sarah Swenson.
Turtles All The Way Down (2007)
October 18 – 21 and 25 – 29, 2007, The Unknown Theater, Hollywood, CA.
The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle in their third collaboration with storytelling and varieties of improvisation.
Mitakuye Oyas'in (2007) ensemble, 24’
World premiere September 15, 2007. Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA. Mitakuye Oyas’in, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lloyd Rodgers, Time Certain. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre and The Lloyd Rodgers Group live in Concert. VDT's 2007 Season.
Llorando (2006) trio, 17’
World premiere August 9, 2006, Toronto International Dance Festival, Toronto, Canada. Llorando, Choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lhasa de Sela, De Cara a la Pared, El Payande, El Desierto, La Celestina. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Civics 101 (2006)
July 22-25, 2006. Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA. Improvisation artist Simone Forti, theatre artist Terence Luke Johnson, dancer/choreographer Sarah Swenson, and musician Douglas Wadle engage each other in a weave of movement, sound and spoken word, in a sequel to Unbuttoned Sleeves (2005).
Fimmine (2005) septet, 26’
World premiere August 13, 2005, Toronto International Dance Festival, Toronto, Canada. Fimmine, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Phlip Glass, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, No. 1. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Unbuttoned Sleeves (2005)
July 28-30, 2005, New Original Works Festival, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle performing Unbuttoned Sleeves, a collaborative dance-theatre work.
Gotham Lullaby (2004)
Premiere April 6, 2024, Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall MO.
Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson, music by Meredith Monk, Gotham Lullaby. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Faculty Concert.
Music & Culture of Southern Italy with Musicàntica (2004)
Produced by Sarah Swenson, March 11, 2004. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall, MO. Musicàntica (Enzo Fina & Roberto Catalano) of Los Angeles, at Missouri Valley College, with workshops and master classes and performance. Sarah Swenson choreographs and performs Donna Ci Stai Alle Cammare, (traditional Salentinian song).
Mystical Music of the Middle East (2004)
Produced by Sarah Swenson, January 16, 2004. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall, MO. The Yuval Ron Ensemble of Los Angeles at Missouri Valley College, presenting lectures, workshops, master classes and performance. Sarah Swenson choreographs and performs Volor Molor (traditional Armenian song).
The Fifteenth Annual Chamber Dance Festival (2003)
November 9-12, 2003, Israel. The Box Theater, Tel Aviv, and The Interdisciplinary Arena, Jerusalem. Performing In E with the Common Action Improvisation collective, Terrence Luke Johnson and Dana Hirsch, Artistic Director. Music by Terry Riley, In C.
Civilization (2002) solo, 8’
World Premiere, June 2, 2002. Fieldwork Choreography Concert at Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson. Text by the artist’s grandfather, Halford Frye Meras.
Lament in the Cosmos (2001) septet, 11’
World premiere May 11, 2001, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Commissioned by Sophia Monat for students of the Classical/Contemporary division of Orange County High School of the Arts. Music by Arvo Part, Fratres for Cello & Piano.
Member of Concrete Steps, 2002, Los Angeles, CA, an improvisation collective weekly performing site-responsive dance in Los Angeles neighborhoods. An essay about the work of Concrete Steps by Jeremiah Day appears in the anthology Surface Tension: Problematics of Site. Ken Ehrlich and Brandon LaBelle, eds. Los Angeles, CA: Errant Bodies Press, 2003, pp. 293-298.
The Conversation (2001) solo, 5’
Premiere November 15, 2001, Burnight Center Theatre, Norwalk. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson, with Peter Jacobson, cello. Music composed by Robin Cox, Reflections on Olivet.
Ancestors: Graham, Humphrey, Horton, Taylor, Limon, Ailey & Balanchine (2000), nonet, 10’. World Premiere, November 30, 2000, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA. Commissioned by Sophia Monat and performed by the Classical/Contemporary division of Orange County High School of the Arts. Music by Philip Glass, Symphony No. 3, Mvt. III.
Euridice (2000) opera
October 6-8, 2000, Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Long Beach Opera’s 400th anniversary production of Jacopi Peri’s opus.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson. The Directed by Isabel Milenski.
Vox Balaenae quintet, 20’
World premiere February 24, 2000, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach,CA. Choreography by Sarah Swenson (2000). Music by George Crumb, Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale). Performed by Sarah Swenson and students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster, set design and construction by John Nokes. MFA Thesis concert.
On My Mind (1999) ensemble, 20’
Premiere September 30, 1999, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster. Music by Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke, Nils Petter Molvaer, various. MFA Thesis Concert.
Blessing (1999) sextet, 5’
Premiere September 30, 1999, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster. Music by Leonard Eto, Lion.
June 1999 Beijing Dance Academy
Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Sarah Swenson, Guest Instructor. Repertory workshops, progressive Horton technique.
Under the Drum (1998) sextet, 20’
Premiere March 13, 1998, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
CSULB Spring Contemporary Dance Concert, Long Beach, CA. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, poetry and artwork by Turtle Heart (Ojibway), with traditional and contemporary indigenous music. Performed by Sarah Swenson and students of the California State University/Long Beach Dance Department.
Song for a Country (1995) ensemble, 15’
Premiere, April 12, 1995, the Alvin Ailey School, New York, NY.
First Annual International Student Concert at the Ailey School, launched by Sarah Swenson. Including the premiere of Song for a Country, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lloyd McNeill, Mandela Suite. Performed by students of the Alvin Ailey School (formerly the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center).
The Road (1990) duet, 7’
Premiere, June 13, 1990, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, New York City, NY.
Premiering The Road, choreographed by Sarah Swenson (1990). Music by Lloyd McNeill, Night Voices. Performed by Sarah Swenson and Suleiman Rifai. Additional performances at Dance Theatre of Harlem School and Lincoln Center Plaza, New York City.
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*
untitled improvisational performance 2026
Dates TBD. At the Casa Ulivo hut, invitation of Fabio Sargentini e Elsa Agalbato
Vignaie, Umbria, Italy.
Singapore Remote (2026/2020)
University of Singapore, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore. A space grant from School of Dance and Theatre for rehearsal, production, and performance to complete Singapore Remote [see below under 2020), a collaborative project begun under Covid with Singaporean artists Felicia Lim, Neo Jialing, Shangbin Xie, Sonia Kwek, and Wong Kwang Lin.
Venice Biennale College Danza Residency 2023
May & July 2023. Laboratory: Practices of Simone Forti. Teaching and installation of Dance Constructions to Biennale College Danza students on the occasion of Simone’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement. Interview and documentary for broadcast by RAI Television, Italy’s national station, released March 3, 2023. Documentary
PW: fortiBiennale2025
Florence Academy of Fine Arts Residency 2023
May 8-10, 2023. Accademia di Belli Arte di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
Cup of Words, Sarah’s creation practice laboratory for visual art students from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, concluding with performances by the students. Sarah performed joyland (2009), a Cup of Words solo created for Simone Forti by Sarah Swenson.
how to make a red flower (2023) [film] 22:48 view
March 18, 2023. Filmed at Garfield Park, Alhambra, CA.
Movement score, videography, and editing by Sarah Swenson.
Performed by Vox Dance Theatre and guests. An invitation by Iranian artist
Zoya Shokhooi to contribute to the project commemorating the massacre in Iran known as
Bloody November [2019]. The1500 people killed were protesting the theocratic government.
Plectra & Percussion Dances (2022) sextet 45’
World premiere, June 17, 2022, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles.
Music by Harry Partch, the tryptic Plectra & Percussion Dances (1949-1952).
[Castor & Pollux, Ring Around The Moon, Even Wild Horses]. Commissioned by
The Partch Ensemble, choreography by Sarah Swenson.
Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Bells for Iran (2022) ensemble, 10’
December 15, 2022, La Portineria Gallery, Florence, Italy. A movement meditation by Sarah Swenson, performed by the public at the exhibition For Iran: Women, Life, Freedom, part of a project curated by Zoya Shokoohi and Mohammad Fallah.
Simone Forti/Senza Fretta (2021)
September 5, 2021, Prato, Italy. Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci.
Sarah performs Simone Forti’s solos: Zoo Mantras, News Animations, and Illuminations (duet with Charlemagne Palestine) at the finnisage of the Simone Forti/Senza Fretta exhibit.
Castor & Pollux (2021) ensemble, 14’
World premiere June 4-5, 2021, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
[Part I of the Harry Partch tryptic, Plectra & Percussion Dances]. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, commissioned by the Partch Ensemble. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre, music by Harry Partch (1952).
A virtual event filmed for streaming under Covid.
Lockdown Garden (2020) [film] 11:33 view
August 23, 2020, San Pancrazio Salentino, Italy. A dance and music improvisation performed and filmed by Sarah Swenson & Alessandro Girasoli.
Where The Sea Meets The Land (2020) [film] 9:38 view
May 25, 2020. Filmed on locations in Los Angeles and Laguna Beach, CA.
Screened in London, Rome, Los Angeles, and La Jolla, CA. A movement film directed, videographed, and edited by Sarah Swenson. With Terence Luke Johnson, Osbey Jackson, and Norma Swenson. Music by Sam Alty, Where The Sea Meets The Land.
Singapore Remote (2020-2026).
In Singapore and online. In progress - scheduled for completion with a space and production grant for performance in September 2025 at Lasalle College Flexible Performance Space. A collaborative project using Sarah’s Cup of Words creation process. With Singaporean artists Neo Jialing, Sonia Kwek, Felicia Lim, Wong Kwang Lin, Shangbin Xie. Project begun January 2020. First performances September 2025, dates TBD.
National Gallery Singapore (2019)
January 14-17, 2019, Singapore. In residence teaching Dance Constructions. Sarah performs Simone Forti’s See Saw with invited See Saw artist, Rizman Putra.
landlovevoicesoldier (2019) solo, 17’
May 16, 2019, Studio showing at Gibney Dance Studios, New York, NY.
Completing landlovevoicesoldier with visually impaired dancer Suleiman Rifai. A creation for Suleiman using Sarah’s Cup of Words process, music by Alessandro Girasoli, Runway, Passport.
Fire Within (2017) trio, 6’
World premiere June 10, 2017, Herbert Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, commissioned by Vox Femina Women's Choir for their 20th Anniversary concert, Women on the Rise. Music arranged by Christina Wilson, based on music composed by Marytha Paffrath and Dakota Butterfield. Performed by members of Vox Dance Theatre.
Stanza di Colori (2017) ensemble, 13’
World premiere February 24, 2017, Teresina Bortolucci Library, Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy. Choreography by Sarah Swenson. Original Score by Alessandro Girasoli, Stanza I, II, III. Art Direction by Giorgia Vicini. Performed by advanced students of R. Montecuccoli Middle School.
Words In Diego's World (2016) solo 8’
February 15, 2016, Leonardo Da Vinci Sant’Antonio Primary School Auditorium, Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson. Text by Diego Malverti, a teen writer with autism, from his book Io Non So Come Si Sta Da Voi [I Don’t Know Your World]. Score by Alessandro Girasoli.
Clamor (2015) ensemble 16’
World premiere October 10, 2015, Allen Theater, Cleveland OH.
Original score by Alessandro Girasoli, The Crawl, The Politico, Celebration.
Commissioned by Mary Verdi Fletcher, Founder and Artistic Director of Dancing Wheels Company, the first physically integrated dance company in the United States, for their 35th Anniversary, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Clamor was inspired by the March 10, 1990 act of civil disobedience known as “the capitol crawl” that helped propel the ADA to passage.
Stabat Mater (2014) ensemble, 23’
Original music by Alessandro Girasoli: Infinita, Preghiera, Stabat Mater.
World premiere August 20, 2014, Masseria Mazzetta a Corte del Falconiere, Salice Salentino, Italy. Choreography Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson and guests.
Fiori, Fiori (2014) teen ensemble, 6’
World premiere May 10, 2014, Herbert Zipper Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA.
Fiori, Fiori (2014) choreography by Sarah Swenson, created for and performed by Modern Dance Division Students of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. Music by Léo Delibes, Flower Duet from Lakmé.
Campane Suite (2013) and Brigantesse Encore (2013) ensemble, 29’
World premieres May 29, 2013, Colburn School Grand Rehearsal Hall. Los Angeles, CA. Campane Suite and Brigantesse Encore, choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson and Vox Dance Theatre. Music by Alessandro Girasoli: Nord, Campane, Solo, Voci, and live music by Musicàntica (Enzo Fina & Roberto Catalano) Pizzica del Deserto.
Holberg Dances (2013) very large ensemble ages 7-19), 22’
World premiere, May 18, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by all levels of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Department. Music by Edvard Grieg, Holberg Suite, Op. 40, played live by the Colburn School Chamber Orchestra.
Ballare (2013) teen ensemble, 8’
World premiere, May 18, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the Advanced Studies repertoire class of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Department. Music by Igor Stravinsky,
Septet, Mvts. I & III, played live by the Colburn School Chamber Orchestra.
Campane (2013) youth ensemble, 10’
Premiere, January 9, 2013, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
For Little Tokyo’s Annual Kotihajime New Year Festival. Performed by students of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Modern Dance Division. Music by Alessandro Girasoli, Campane.
Al Noor (2012) ensemble, 30’
World premiere June 3, 2012, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles, CA.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre in the premiere of Al Noor (2012), choreography by Sarah Swenson. Music by Carl Stone: Som Tum, Meteors, Al Noor, Gossamer Cloth On the Coffee Table. Performed amidst the Sky Ladder installation of Cai Guo-Qiang, including his gunpowder murals, crop circle installation, and videos.
Debut Suite (2012) very large youth ensemble, ages 7-19, 15’
Premiere June 5, 2012, Aritani Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
Music by John Psathas: His Second Time, and Shigeru Umebayashi, Yumeji's Theme.
Performed by Level II Modern dance students and Advanced Modern Repertoire students of
the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute of the Colburn School.
Brigantesse (2011) ensemble, 40’
World premiere October 20-23, 2011, Instituto de Cultura de Baja California, Mexico.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre tour the premiere of Brigantesse in Baja, California cities Tijuana, Tecate, Ensenada, and Mexicali, with live music by Musicàntica, traditional music of Puglia, and the complete Fimmine (2005), all choreography by Sarah Swenson.
Fimmine in Kimono (2005/2011)
October 16, 2011. World Festival of Sacred Music at Japanese American Cultural & Community Center Plaza, Los Angeles, CA. Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theater perform Sarah’s Fimmine in Kimono, an adaptation of her signature work, Fimmine (2005), and students from the Colburn School’s Trudl Zipper Dance Institute in Sarah’s teen work, Pavane for an Iraqi Girl.
APAP Conference 2011
January 7-9, 2011. Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre showcasing the complete Fimmine (2005), choreography by Sarah Swenson at City Center Theater Studios 4 & 5, Alvin Ailey Studio 5, and Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Conversation Piece (2010)
September 19 & 26, 2010, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA.
A collaboration with Simone Forti & The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle. A whimsical, thoughtful, dance/theater work exploring the art of conversation through a variety of structures, scores and actions. Kristen Smiarowski, dramaturg.
Western Arts Alliance Conference 2010
August 31, 2010, Beacon Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Long Beach, CA.
Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre perform Sarah’s Fimmine (2005) in the Affiliated Dance Showcase.
Auriga (2009) quintet, 17’
World premiere October 3, 2009, Landis Performing Arts Center, Riverside, CA. Dancing Beyond Borders: Dancers For Life 15/AIDS Benefit. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
To Borrow Salt (2009)
June 19-20, 2009, The Box Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
A collaboration with Simone Forti & The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson,
Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle. The quartet cycles events into various juxtapositions with each other, creating a kaleidoscopic narrative focused on language.
Kristin Smiarowski, dramaturg.
A Tribute to Rudy Perez (2009)
June 6, 2009, Luckman Fine Arts Complex Intimate Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
Sarah Swenson’s Vox Dance Theatre and The Rudy Perez Performance Ensemble appear together in A Tribute to Rudy Perez. Cuatro (2005), choreography by Sarah Swenson, is re-dedicated to Rudy Perez for his 80th birthday. Music by Steve Moshier, Archaic Remnants, Mvt. 5.
Pavane for an Iraqi Girl (2008) teen ensemble, 10’
World premiere March 22, 2008, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA.
Pavane for an Iraqi Girl [Abeer Qassim Hamza Al-Janabi]. Choreography by Sarah Swenson. Music by Ryuchi Sakamoto, Chinsagu No Hana, and Glenn Branca, Symphony No. 2, Movement II.
Performed by Ken Montalvo, Robert Valdovinos, and Danny Arreola, with Sarah Swenson.
Turtles All The Way Down (2007)
October 18 – 21 and 25 – 29, 2007, The Unknown Theater, Hollywood, CA.
The Sleeves: Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle in their third collaboration with storytelling and varieties of improvisation.
Mitakuye Oyas'in (2007) ensemble, 24’
World premiere September 15, 2007. Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA. Mitakuye Oyas’in, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lloyd Rodgers, Time Certain. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre and The Lloyd Rodgers Group live in Concert. VDT's 2007 Season.
Llorando (2006) trio, 17’
World premiere August 9, 2006, Toronto International Dance Festival, Toronto, Canada. Llorando, Choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lhasa de Sela, De Cara a la Pared, El Payande, El Desierto, La Celestina. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Civics 101 (2006)
July 22-25, 2006. Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA. Improvisation artist Simone Forti, theatre artist Terence Luke Johnson, dancer/choreographer Sarah Swenson, and musician Douglas Wadle engage each other in a weave of movement, sound and spoken word, in a sequel to Unbuttoned Sleeves (2005).
Fimmine (2005) septet, 26’
World premiere August 13, 2005, Toronto International Dance Festival, Toronto, Canada. Fimmine, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Phlip Glass, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, No. 1. Performed by Sarah Swenson & Vox Dance Theatre.
Unbuttoned Sleeves (2005)
July 28-30, 2005, New Original Works Festival, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
Simone Forti, Luke Johnson, Sarah Swenson, and Douglas Wadle performing Unbuttoned Sleeves, a collaborative dance-theatre work.
Gotham Lullaby (2004)
Premiere April 6, 2024, Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall MO.
Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson, music by Meredith Monk, Gotham Lullaby. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Faculty Concert.
Music & Culture of Southern Italy with Musicàntica (2004)
Produced by Sarah Swenson, March 11, 2004. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall, MO. Musicàntica (Enzo Fina & Roberto Catalano) of Los Angeles, at Missouri Valley College, with workshops and master classes and performance. Sarah Swenson choreographs and performs Donna Ci Stai Alle Cammare, (traditional Salentinian song).
Mystical Music of the Middle East (2004)
Produced by Sarah Swenson, January 16, 2004. Missouri Valley College Performing Arts Center, Marshall, MO. The Yuval Ron Ensemble of Los Angeles at Missouri Valley College, presenting lectures, workshops, master classes and performance. Sarah Swenson choreographs and performs Volor Molor (traditional Armenian song).
The Fifteenth Annual Chamber Dance Festival (2003)
November 9-12, 2003, Israel. The Box Theater, Tel Aviv, and The Interdisciplinary Arena, Jerusalem. Performing In E with the Common Action Improvisation collective, Terrence Luke Johnson and Dana Hirsch, Artistic Director. Music by Terry Riley, In C.
Civilization (2002) solo, 8’
World Premiere, June 2, 2002. Fieldwork Choreography Concert at Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson. Text by the artist’s grandfather, Halford Frye Meras.
Lament in the Cosmos (2001) septet, 11’
World premiere May 11, 2001, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Commissioned by Sophia Monat for students of the Classical/Contemporary division of Orange County High School of the Arts. Music by Arvo Part, Fratres for Cello & Piano.
Member of Concrete Steps, 2002, Los Angeles, CA, an improvisation collective weekly performing site-responsive dance in Los Angeles neighborhoods. An essay about the work of Concrete Steps by Jeremiah Day appears in the anthology Surface Tension: Problematics of Site. Ken Ehrlich and Brandon LaBelle, eds. Los Angeles, CA: Errant Bodies Press, 2003, pp. 293-298.
The Conversation (2001) solo, 5’
Premiere November 15, 2001, Burnight Center Theatre, Norwalk. Choreographed and performed by Sarah Swenson, with Peter Jacobson, cello. Music composed by Robin Cox, Reflections on Olivet.
Ancestors: Graham, Humphrey, Horton, Taylor, Limon, Ailey & Balanchine (2000), nonet, 10’. World Premiere, November 30, 2000, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA. Commissioned by Sophia Monat and performed by the Classical/Contemporary division of Orange County High School of the Arts. Music by Philip Glass, Symphony No. 3, Mvt. III.
Euridice (2000) opera
October 6-8, 2000, Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Long Beach Opera’s 400th anniversary production of Jacopi Peri’s opus.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson. The Directed by Isabel Milenski.
Vox Balaenae quintet, 20’
World premiere February 24, 2000, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach,CA. Choreography by Sarah Swenson (2000). Music by George Crumb, Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale). Performed by Sarah Swenson and students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster, set design and construction by John Nokes. MFA Thesis concert.
On My Mind (1999) ensemble, 20’
Premiere September 30, 1999, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster. Music by Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke, Nils Petter Molvaer, various. MFA Thesis Concert.
Blessing (1999) sextet, 5’
Premiere September 30, 1999, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
Choreography by Sarah Swenson, performed by students of the California State University, Long Beach Dance Department. Costume design by Liz Pelster. Music by Leonard Eto, Lion.
June 1999 Beijing Dance Academy
Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Sarah Swenson, Guest Instructor. Repertory workshops, progressive Horton technique.
Under the Drum (1998) sextet, 20’
Premiere March 13, 1998, Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, Long Beach, CA.
CSULB Spring Contemporary Dance Concert, Long Beach, CA. Choreography by Sarah Swenson, poetry and artwork by Turtle Heart (Ojibway), with traditional and contemporary indigenous music. Performed by Sarah Swenson and students of the California State University/Long Beach Dance Department.
Song for a Country (1995) ensemble, 15’
Premiere, April 12, 1995, the Alvin Ailey School, New York, NY.
First Annual International Student Concert at the Ailey School, launched by Sarah Swenson. Including the premiere of Song for a Country, choreography by Sarah Swenson, music by Lloyd McNeill, Mandela Suite. Performed by students of the Alvin Ailey School (formerly the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center).
The Road (1990) duet, 7’
Premiere, June 13, 1990, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, New York City, NY.
Premiering The Road, choreographed by Sarah Swenson (1990). Music by Lloyd McNeill, Night Voices. Performed by Sarah Swenson and Suleiman Rifai. Additional performances at Dance Theatre of Harlem School and Lincoln Center Plaza, New York City.
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