By John Lyle Belden

This is part of the annual Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, a/k/a IndyFringe 2026, held Aug. 13-23 in venues around downtown Massachusetts Ave. Ticketing and other information at indyfringe.org.

Reviews of: “First and Last Breath,” by Seda Negra/Black Silk, “Mārgam – The Path in Bharatanātyam,” by Team Laya; “On the Edge of Now,” by Pulse Dance Theatre; “Perfect Ten!” by Crossroads Dance Indy; “Ready Yet?” by Theo Renee; “SOUL: Reimagined” by Kenyetta Dance Company.

The above quote was not said on stage, but by a little girl in the audience behind me, said with naïve and wishful confidence at the end of the show. Her father then gently explained to the enraptured young fan that the dancers would not return, at least in that hour. The previous day, I saw a different child standing by her chair, eyes fixed up on the stage, gently swaying like she was part of the action before her. In a way, she was.

Such inspiration, for all ages, is part of what makes dance and movement so important to the IndyFringe festival. Perhaps you, too, can get swept up in these performances (or if their dates have passed, watch for your next opportunity).

EDIT: I have added a review of the first show, the others were previously published before the festival ended.

First and Last Breath

“The wind will bring collective healing… for the wind is the first breath.” In this production by Seda Negra/Black Silk, incorporating contemporary and traditional dance forms, we explore cycles of life with the spirit Oya — an orisha originally from Nigeria now honored throughout the African diaspora. On the stage of the Athenaeum Basile Theatre, the dancers present a flowing, energetic, almost continuous program. Starting with two, then joined by the company, they move like guiding winds, fall, awake, take on shimmering forms in light flowing robes. They confront and are blessed by Oya in her buffalo form, “preparing for battle.” They embody struggle, and the need to leave old patterns behind. Finally, they embrace the Last Breath to a refrain of “Take me, Oya.” Incredibly beautiful with an exceptional sense of unity, the company’s appearance in the second weekend of IndyFringe was worth the wait.

Mārgam – The Path in Bharatanātyam

The title refers to a particular form of traditional dance from India.  Presented with traditional music and costumes by Team Laya of Columbus, Ind., the three women dancers share with us one of the great Hindu stories, the life of Rama, who was considered the ideal man and an incarnation of Vishnu.

After a traditional invocation, we are shown that before Rama was man or legend, he was a child. A dancer gracefully portrays his caring mother, guiding, chiding and embracing her young son, her precise movements perfectly miming these activities. The three next portray other events in his epic, including his unjust exile, the loyalty of his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita, and his battles to finally gain his rightful crown.

The dancers show great physical control, grace, precision and endurance. Their ankle bells add to the rhythm, much like tap shoes in Western dance. Even if you don’t know the story, the sense of deep, ancient culture is readily felt.

To share in this experience, there is one scheduled performance, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on the intimate Cabaret stage at The District Theatre, 627 Mass. Ave. Note that seating is limited so, like the first performance on Aug. 15, a sellout is likely.

On the Edge of Now

The “pulse” of Pulse Dance Theatre is apparently an elevated heartbeat, as the works in “On the Edge of Now” plumb emotional depths. The opening piece, “Hypervigilance,” choreographed by Amanda Hoover, portrays the trapped feeling of past traumas, presented by the grasping hands of company members, seeking to restrict one’s life.

The other dances are choreographed by PDT artistic director Amanda Browning, including parts of “Through the Pulse of Memory” (solo by Morgan Johnson), “Frequencies” (Magdalynn Derloshon and Izaak Vilbrum), and “Elegy for Thoughts Unspoken” (company). In “Suite Bru,” the ensemble deliver in movement a perfect reflection of two of Dave Brubeck’s most famous jazz numbers.

An excellent hour of contemporary dance, one performance remains at 12:30 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 22) in the Basile Theatre upstairs of the Athenaeum (401 E. Michigan Ave.).

Perfect Ten!

Crossroads Dance Indy celebrates a decade of performances with a program of 10 selections to fascinate and amuse us.

With choreography by Brittany Gaither, Nicole Mikesell, Sammi Kindler, Meghan McGill, Kathie Porras, Clarice Nolan, Dani Conti, and Gabby Padilla, the company approaches the concept of “ten” from all manner of angles, set to music ranging from Blondie to Brubeck (consider “Take Five” in 10/8 rhythm) to Rodgers & Hammerstein. There’s a humorous piece on the declining value of a dime, and even a look back at being ten years old. It concludes with a clever look back at their favorite past dances.

As for the common slang definition of the title, “Perfect Ten,” the brave and beautiful ladies (and gentleman) of this troupe remind us that it’s not just that anybody can dance, but that any body can dance, and that’s more than fine with us.

Seek “perfection” at the Athenaeum Basile Theatre (401 E. Michigan) Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, Aug. 22-23.  

Ready Yet?

Theo Renee was inspired by hearing of a dance classmate being named an “Emerging Choreographer.” The concept of what it is like to emerge, bridging the gap between being a student and a professional, brought about the project, “Ready Yet?” involving Renee and several other performers from Michigan college programs.

 This is only their second production (the first was in Ypsilanti, Mich., in January) so the show is still raw and evolving, but the pieces (seven dances and a monologue) don’t appear unfinished. They display great individual skill and control, while tapping into various emotional states. There are the two dancers whose movements are as if statues did stretching exercises, never losing their graceful presentation. Emotional strain at one point is punctuated with music suddenly stopping and starting, the dancers responding accordingly.

The most interesting and complex number starts with two dancers in a balletic style with bits of humor. Their costumes each have a fringe (appropriate!) of ribbons along the hem of skirt of shorts. As others come on stage to join the dance, dressed likewise, there is frequent trading of ribbons among them – like kids with friendship bracelets. Eventually, each will come forward with a clipped phrase, these non sequiturs building into a more profound whole.

The last piece presents despair, hiding from the calls of others while agonizing whether this is all worth it. Finally, the answer comes.

There are two more performances, Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 22-23) at the Athenaeum Basile Theatre (401 E. Michigan). If you see Theo around the festival, you could receive a free “Ready Yet” friendship bracelet.

SOUL: Reimagined

Kenyetta Dance Company delivers an unflinching examination of history some people don’t want told, a lesson written through movement, in terror and sweat. Starting with literal roots in Africa, we see people taken, broken, transported, sold and used as property. The medium of dance helps us see and practically feel the horrors, the longing, and the eventual elation. Though all was taken from them, their souls persisted, sustained by old and constant rhythms.

This is presented as a single program, with each dance flowing into the next, aided by projected visuals, light narration, and music including traditional African, spirituals, and folk blues. Of the latter, the slave auction song “Bid ‘em in” haunts us with its upbeat tone and casual dehumanization, juxtaposed with movement portraying the cruel scene. At various points, the dancers’ skill and precision startlingly depict wrists, arms, bodies, being pulled and dragged by unseen chains, expressions reminding us that not so long ago they were very real.

This may be the best dance production of the Fringe. Performances are 11 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 22-23) at the Athenaeum Basile Theatre (401 E. Michigan).