Become, 2007 (55 min.)
solo

Become is an evening-length work which consists of eight episodes, ranging from 1 to 15 minutes in length. African dance, Brazilian Capoeira, Bharata Natyam, Odissi, Butoh and Contemporary Dance are all woven seamlessly in the solitary tapestry of a single body moving in space. Moving from introspection to discovery, from despair to ecstasy, Become is a distillation of mood and meaning.

Become includes three short “Handscapes,” poems on the hands, which draw inspiration primarily from American Sign Language poetry, South Indian classical dance and Capoeira.

The Moth, 2007 (15 min.)
solo

“When Wendy Jehlen goes on stage, you know you are in the realm of the heart. It was a stage performance that went beyond the limits of a particular dance form, and yet it was not the kind of `overt' fusion where the components vie for attention as unique parts of a whole. In that sense, the performance eminently qualified to be described as more than the sum of its parts. What could be more natural in that case, than for Wendy to say later that she feels her base in dance is Bharatanatyam, a technique that was the most unobtrusive of all in her movements?” – The Hindu (Delhi, India)

commissioned by Muzzafar Ali and the Jahan-e-Khusrau Festival 2007, Delhi

Hamsafar, 2005 (8 min.)
3 dancers

Brother, how long will you travel alone
In the darkness of the night?
These quiet lonely roads are long and difficult -
Find yourself a traveling companion

view video

Crane, 2002 (25 min.)
6 dancers

“dusk, a crane alights from the marsh...”

“Crane,” a 25-minute dance presentation was based on a Japanese poem about the bird that lives in the marshes, its journeys and struggles likened to those faced by man. The movements were symbolic and the graceful dancers performed complicated movements that demanded concentration and suppleness.” – The Hindu (Chennai, India)

created as part of Safar, an American Institute of Indian Studies Senior Performing Artist Fellowship project in Chennai, India and in residency at the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh, India

Haaaa, 2002 (12 min.)
5 dancers

“The movements had an inbuilt rhythm and mood, often accompanied by symbolic gestures in sign language. The costumes bordered on the austere without any embellishments and this helped keep the focus on the well choreographed, tightly knit movements that were executed with discipline and professionalism.”
– The Hindu newspaper (Chennai, India)

created as part of Safar, an American Institute of Indian Studies Senior Performing Artist Fellowship project in Chennai, India and in residency at the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh, India