Celebrating 15 years as a solo artist, Nejla
Y. Yatkin presents “What Dreams May
Come” as well as a sneak preview of the
upcoming documentary “Where Women
Don’t Dance” at Links Hall
Chicago, IL - In 2015, Berlin-born Turkish
choreographer Nejla Y. Yatkin celebrates both
her 5th year in Chicago and her 15th
anniversary as a solo artist with a new solo
world premiere at Links Hall entitled What
Dreams May Come.
What Dreams May Come is an evening length multi media dance theatre piece
choreographed and danced by Nejla Yatkin. The solo explores the intersection and
connections between the personal and the public, between how we perceive ourselves
and how we are perceived. After exploring large-scale group projects for the last 8
years, Nejla is going back to creating an intimate solo dance inspired by Turkish
composers Ahmet Saygun and Kamran Ince, sound design by Craig Lee as well as
Video Design by interactive multi media artist Enki Andrews. In this new solo Nejla
Yatkin and Enki Andrews are experimenting with incorporating real-time and
prerecorded video, projection body mapping designed by video artist Enki that will
respond to the body on stage. In What Dreams May Come Nejla creates a dance
narrative exploring the spaces between oppression, freedom, identity and anonymity
through movement through mastery of Western Contemporary practices while
incorporating traditional Turkish dance elements. During the performances there will be
a special sneak preview of the upcoming documentary Where Women Don't Dance by
Nel Shelby. This film celebrates one woman’s strength and perseverance in her culture
and career. Choreographer Nejla Y. Yatkin’s pursuit of a career in dance risks ostracism
from her family and is a defiant departure from cultural custom. It is an inspiring story
that translates beyond the personal. In many ways, this documentary is a contribution to
a more serious conversation about the ways women face restrictions in full expression near and far.
