With a cultural richness and unique style, Yu Wei's dance art is inspired both by nature and the human condition. Featuring music from China and the world, original costumes and hair-dressings, professional lighting and sets, and short films shown between the dances that depict the culture and artistic background of both dance and dancer. Yu Wei's classical training and graceful beauty make her dance art an invaluable cultural treasure that of both China and the world. Yu Wei dance collection began in Beijing 1992 under the art direction of nationally well-known master Zhang Ke; who has the reputation of being a "rare genius" in the Chinese dance world and was the vice chairman of China National Ethnic Dance Association.

The dances that make up the collection are typically 4 to 9 minutes in length. The inspiration comes from nature, Chinese classical literature and history, and folk legend. The original choreography is drawn from the styles of Chinese classical, folk, ballet and modern dance. Each dance has a short film counterpart depicting the dances’ cultural and artistic background; behind-the-scenes moments of creation; information about Chinese traditional and ethnic culture; and the underlying story of a young girl’s journey from the China’s Cultural Revolution, to recognition and success in America.

Created by award-winning filmmakers, Jared Martin, Geoffrey Richman, Paul Michael Weisser and Jeremiah Zagar; the short films depict the cultural and artistic background of Yu Wei's dances - providing information about her training as a classical dancer and her deep interest in Chinese folk and traditional dance, and including behind-the-scenes views of her dances being created and the people in her life: teachers, colleagues, fellow performers: plus revealing glimpses of daily existence in China and America.

Jared Martin
The writer, director and narrator of the Yu Wei Interval films. As an actor in Hollywood and on Broadway, he appeared in 25 films, 50 stage productions and over 250 television shows. His series credits include “Dallas” for which he originated the role of ‘Dusty Farlow’, “How the West Was Won”, “War of the Worlds”, and “The Fantastic Journey”, in which he played Varian. He starred on Broadway in the Tony award winning “Torch Song Trilogy”. As a writer and photographer, his poetry has been anthologized and his photographs exhibited in both group and single shows. Jared is also the Co–Founder and Creative Director of Philadelphia’s celebrated youth media center, the Big Picture Alliance. In this capacity he has directed over 30 films; receiving awards from Cine Eagle, Intercom, and the Chicago International Film Festival. He currently teaches Film and Acting at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Jared is a graduate of Columbia University.

 

The music of Yu Wei’s dance collection is as wide ranging as the variety of her dances. The legendary 18th century composer Ar Bin is joined by contemporary Chinese composers such as Chen-gang, He Zhan-hao, He Xun-tian, Wan Li, Guo Feng, and Teng Geri. From different periods in western music composers Richard Wagner, Johann Strauss, Pachelbel, Tommaso Albinoni, and Vangelis. All of these wonderful composers are included in the Yu Wei dance collection.

The lighting design is crucial to the environment and mood of the dances. Cued with dance music the colors and rhythms create the emotional language which is an important part of Yu Wei's dance. Lighting Designer - Nanette Hudson Joyce She is currently teaching lighting design for dance and running Conwell Dance Theater at Temple University in Philadelphia.