ODC Dance Stories

Understanding dance through the stories we tell
Chitresh Das Institute. Photo by Bhavya Jain.

Nkechi Njaka

The Veil of Janki Bai, a new Kathak dance-drama and multimedia performance by the Chitresh Das Dance Institute, transformed the ODC Theater stage into somewhat of a theatrical shrine — in…

BIPOC Acro Collective. Photo by Emil Alex.

Nkechi Njaka

The BIPOC Acro Collective Care Ecosystem presented TRIGGERED at ODC Theater in San Francisco from October 24–26, 2025. Under the vision of artistic director Veronica Blair, the inaugural Take…

João Sampaio, Jacopo Calvo and Brennan Wall in “A Long Night.” Photo by Chris Hardy.

Garth Grimball

The 2025–2026 season marks Amy Seiwert’s first season as Smuin Ballet’s artistic director with total curatorial responsibility. Based on this fall’s triple…

Micah Salid, Nina Palada, Catalina O’Connor. Photo by David Gaylord..

Dana Lawton

Having known Cathy since 1998 as a colleague, collaborator, dancer in her work, and dear friend, I experienced her 30th Anniversary Concert at ODC Theater as both a personal and…

Paris Opera Ballet. Photo by Chris Hardy.

Garth Grimball

The best part of Red Carpet is the first 90 seconds. Luscious red curtains absorb lighting that yellows and greens the fabric, inviting a slanted view of a familiar opening. The curtains part…