Season 2024
Babel: Movements of Contradictions
The myth of Babel and the divisive nature of multiple languages serve as the foundation for choreographer Elliott Ortiz in this piece. The narrative centers on Peter, a depressed professor, and his AI creation, Hermes, as dancers bring to life the fantasies and ghosts that haunt Peter’s mind. The piece symbolizes the diversity, misunderstandings, and ambitious pursuits that define modern society, weaving together a rich tapestry of narratives and rhythms. The stage itself becomes a metaphorical reflection of our world, heightened by a versatile setup featuring three towering structures. Cast Members: Ivan Goris stars in the lead role of Peter, bringing complexity & shade to the character. Alessia Secli, a talented dancer, singer, and performer, takes on the crucial role of Death, embodying the delicate balance between life and its inevitable end. Yvanhova Figueroa and Manatsu Aminaga join the ensemble as dancers and performers, contributing to the rich physical and emotional landscape of the piece; special performance by Elliott Ortiz as "Hermes" (an avatar) & a Raven; and flamenco dancer: Xianix Barrera takes the role of "The Moon" in special appearance.
Creative Tech & Designers Team: Lights & Scenery Construction: John McGee / Stage Decor: Jonny Rueda / MUA/Hair: Percy Van Oordt / Costume Consultant: Mariela Monroy / Costume Craftsman: Percy Van Oordt/ Photography: John McGee, Aria Polanco and Jonny Rueda· Video Technician: Luis Vinoles /
Show Caller & Sound Tech: Jorge Tagliaferro· / Sound Designer: Oswaldo Ortiz /
Social Media: Michelle Acevedo / Marketing Coordinator: Caridad del Valle /Press Coordinator: Hernan Colmenares
Created & Directed by Elliott Ortiz
This production was presented at El Barrio's Artspace, New York City
Completed Projects & Stage Works
Season 2025
Cuentos de Miedo y Otras Pendejadas (Scary Stories and Other Stupid Things)
It is a 65-minute immersive dance-theatrical production that reimagines traditional Latino scare tactics through dark humor, surrealism, and movement. Inspired by the bedtime legends of El Cuco, La Bruja, and El Duende, the piece examines the deep psychological mark these cultural myths leave on childhood—transforming them into grotesque, satirical forces that confront inherited fear and emotional control.
Breaking down the old scare tactics once used by nannies, grandparents, and parents, choreographer and Artistic Director Elliott Ortiz embraces risk, challenges beliefs, blurs the lines between art forms, and ignites a bold conversation about Latino culture through fearless performance. The piece blends dance, theater, comedy, and live interaction. Movement becomes the storytelling’s backbone, with sharp rhythms, gestures, and physical-theater comedy shifting seamlessly into moments of tension, satire, and chaos.
Sumérgete en un dormitorio embrujado donde aquellos miedos de la infancia toman el centro del escenario. Cuentos de Miedo y Otras Pendejadas, creación del visionario coreógrafo y director artístico: Elliott Ortiz, que rompe las reglas: transformando los cuentos de terror con los que crecimos, en un espectáculo atrevido, irreverente y delirante.
Donde el humor negro y la ironía le dan la mano a la danza, el teatro, y la música para convertir a El Cuco, El Duende y La Bruja en guías de un viaje burlesco, surrealista e hilarante. Una experiencia inmersiva que desarma las viejas tácticas de miedo que usaban los adultos con los niños, y revela la verdad detrás de las leyendas: ¡¡¡no eran advertencias… eran mentiras!! - que ahora se convierten en un show teatral-dancístico explosivo-.
Season 2023
Arepa Coalition Project
Arepa Coalition Project is an interactive and theatrical-choreographic performance that combines dance, culinary culture, storytelling, music and theater. Arepas are a typical food popular in Venezuela and Colombia. With a rich traditional history, arepas are known to be deeply ingrained in the culinary cultures of both countries, each claiming to be the birthplace of this cherished food enjoyed today by all social classes. the making of a Colombian and Venezuelan staple that seeks to highlight a shared story of culture between two Latin Diasporas in New York City. The event ended with the cast and audience members enjoying arepas, and socializing. The arepa takes center stage, the piece weaves dance with contemporary tunes and non-linear theatrical vignettes to tell stories revolving around the preparation of the arepa and exploring at the same time, experiences of life, work, and love from Venezuelan and Colombian communities. Scenes are vignettes reflecting the life and every day dynamics in a big Hacienda (big farm in Venezuela).
Creative Team:
Choreography: Julieta Valero /Texts: Lupe Gherenbeck /
Conceived, Directed, and Produced by: Elliott Ortiz
Cast Members:
Nataly Barco, Laura Bolivar, Laura Petti, Alessia Secli, Johnathan Colafrancesco, Cynthia Cortes,
Julieta Valero and Leigh Atwell.
Crew Members:
Costume Curator: Mariela Monroy / MUA & Hair / Costumes: Percy Van Oordt / Stage Manager: Jorge Tagliaferro / Sound Designer: Oswaldo Ortiz / Sound Tech: Kim Sanchez / Lights / Set: John McGee
Arepas Cortesy: Caracas Arepa Bar & Maribel Araujo
Production Team:
Cast Director: Angelica Guvernez / Director Assistant: Luis Viñoles / Press Coordinator: Hernan Colmenares / Social Media Manager: Michelle Acevedo / Set Construction: John McGee / Artistic Images/ Designer: Omar Montilla / Photographers: John McGee, Frances Velasquez, Jonny Rueda, Andreina Mujica / Production Manager: Pilar Cordova
Spanish Harlem Dance Fest
It is a dance festival that celebrates and examines the influence of Latinos in America as a place of immigration and mixed cultures; while seeking to showcase dance artists who explore a range of narratives of Latino culture and/or current issues: immigration, forced displacement, identity, and transculturation. Devoted to the multicultural nature of New York City, the festival boldly responds to the blurring of cultures from different diasporas. Featuring dance artists with hybrid choreographic practices (combining dance movements with other forms/styles, including physical-theater, mime, video or incorporating performative methods on stage). Dance10 Project, also, intends to provide opportunities for positive exposure and career advancement in dance making to underrepresented, emerging artists, especially Latinos, dance artists of color and LGBTQ members. The Fest wants to expand the creative force around contemporary dance by increasing the audience's knowledge; bringing cultural enrichment to those communities through dance-theatrical performances and set a platform for dance in East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio; which is one of the largest predominantly Hispanic communities in NYC. Also, the festival is a way of showing that dance as a social activity can entertain, educate, and connect communities, and dance as diplomacy tool can bring people together and combating racial stereotypes.
We want to make a difference and make it palpable !!
The Fest will host two components:
The Fest: Live dance performances on stage that tell stories about immigration and cultures. The work of immigrant dance artists can help immigrant audiences connect with their identities and restore pride in their communities.
Choreographers Talk: Post show conversations will bring to audience members an open conversations with dance creators and their experiences, their inspirations, their process; and it would be moderated by local personalities. Post-show conversations between dance creators and audience, conducted by special guests: hosted by: Rhina Valentin, Alexandra Geithner and Angelica Guvernez.
The festival is headed by:
Artistic Director & Choreographer Elliott Ortiz.
Co-producers: Pilar Cordoba and John McGee, who be associate curators too.
Choreographer Participants / Performances : Sep. 15 - 18 /2022
Julieta Valero, Ma. Gracia Perez, Stephanie Pena, Arianna Aquino, Chien-Ying Wang,
Yvanhova Figueroa and Leonel Linares.
Exhibition Dancing Strokes / Curated by Gustavo Fernandez
Sep. 7 -18 (Gallery GF El Barrio's Artspace)
Workshops : Sep 14 & 16 (dance studio Artspace)
