Deep Dive into Dance with Stephanie Todd Wong
Asia Society at Home
Learn More
Discover your newest binge and get to know our staff a little better with the Asia Society Texas Center team's favorite ways to stay entertained indoors! With our Deep Dives each week, we take you on a journey into the obsessions of individual staff members for an in-depth look at a specific art form or cultural production.
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie Todd Wong is Asia Society Texas Center's Director of Performing Arts and Culture. Before joining ASTC four years ago, Stephanie spent most of her career performing and working in the field of dance. She loves to travel with her family, ride rollercoasters, and read. Napping and baking are also serious endeavors she tries to find time to pursue.
What I am currently enjoying
We are preparing for an amazing set of performances of Malavika Sarukkai's Thari – the Loom in July. Malavika is an extraordinary Bharatanatyam performer, and Thari – the Loom uses the vocabulary of Bharatanatyam in a contemporary dance structure. It is fascinating to see the mixture of Indian and western contemporary dance influences within the piece, and I can't wait to share it with Houston audiences.
What I find myself returning to again and again
There are so many amazing woman choreographers working in K-Pop right now. When I have some free time or need a break/pick-me-up, I let myself fall down a 1Million Dance Studio rabbit hole on YouTube. In particular, I'm drawn to choreographer Lia Kim. I love watching these fierce women dance!
Follow 1Million Dance Studio on YouTube »
Projects that aren't yet available that I am looking forward to seeing
I am obsessed with Huang Yi's work in general, but I cannot wait for A Million Miles Away to make its way to the U.S. Keeping my fingers crossed I'll get to see it live soon.
I've been following the work of Yin Yue for a while and am hoping we'll be able to showcase her company in Houston in one of our future seasons. There is such a strong physicality in her work that makes it really exciting to watch.
An artist that excites me
I was introduced to the work of Aakash Odedra by the wonderful Nancy Wozny who saw him perform a series of solos at Jacob's Pillow. I am amazed by the clarity of his movement and perspective. Such an engaging mover.
Prudomsun Ok is doing some amazing work to preserve the traditional dances of Cambodia while simultaneously advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ community. It's so inspiring to follow the work he is doing.
My wildcard recommendation
I have always thought of the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as a dance film. There is so much movement in this film — even the bamboo dances! Plus, more fierce women!
Find it on: Netflix | Amazon Prime Video
Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, United Airlines, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Presenting Sponsor of the Japan Series. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearts Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as Friends of Asia Society.
About Asia Society at Home
Though Asia Society is temporarily closed, we are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.
About Asia Society Texas Center
With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.