Jiali Wang has journeyed through dance both literally, moving from China to the US to pursue her education, and figuratively, as her studies transformed her perspective on her art form. Since graduating from SUNY The College at Brockport, she has been relentless in the pursuit of her artistic mission and has given back ten-fold to the community that welcomed her.
In NYC she has thrived, with all the uncertainty and hardships that come with being an immigrant artist. Every challenge has inspired her to try harder, to put more time and more effort into her dreams. In New York she has found a home on many levels, not only because of the significant Chinese presence, but also because of the incomparable artistic scene. Jiali, in fact, grew up surrounded by art and community and has brought her upbringing into a context in which such an approach fits perfectly and is much needed.
Daughter of two Chinese traditional folk singers (her mother for the Sichuan Song and Dance Troup and her father for the Sichuan Folk Art Institute) Jiali’s dance background began with a solid training in traditional Chinese dancing, which she started when she was nine. Just a handful of years later, she was already performing as part of the dance ensemble in her mother’s company, her talent recognized and sought out. It was at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy that she got her first taste of contemporary and modern dance. Once her appetite was wet, she found she could not get enough; her choice to pursue her MFA in the United States instead of Hong Kong was heavily influenced by the strong desire to study modern dance in the country it originated in.
Jiali Wang performs her choreography ‘Someone Else, Somewhere Else’ at Translate-Voices of Dance Performance, Dixon Place Theater, NYC. © Jerry Lin, 2018
That experience not only shaped her movement and form, but her whole outlook on dance itself. Dance went from being about lines, movement and aesthetics to a way of exploring humanity and the relationship between people and the society they live in. During her time studying at the America Dance Festival, teachers like Jesse Zaritt brought her attention to societal issues regarding race, gender, age, class, education, ability and sexuality; others like Vanessa Voskuil pushed her to explore topics related to human perception in choreography. Wang was inspired to focus on the relationship between dance and society: her purpose went beyond the art of movement and, in connection to the culture she now lived in, and she developed 7 Midnights Physical Research (7MPR).
Over the course of the past five years, 7 Midnights Physical Research (where ‘Midnights’ refers to time spent in deep reflection) went from a being a focal point of her thesis, to the name of her dance project, to a performance production (7MPR Themed Dance Theater-Midnights Performance Series) and a dance collective that celebrates cultural dance (7MPR Themed Cultural Dance Collective).
The growth and evolution of Jiali’s brainchild is remarkable not only in what it has achieved, but also in the ease of its flow. Acknowledging that many hours of hard work were poured into it, Wang also shares how in some ways it was very easy for her. Indeed, looking at the development of 7MPR throughout the years, one can see the auspicious alignment of an individual’s life purpose and a community’s need: Jiali clearly understands the context she lives in, and fills a void.
Until 2018, in fact, Jiali was using 7MPR only to name her dance project, performing choreographies she had created based on the themes of her thesis. In the fall of that year, she serendipitously connected with the directors of Arts On Site, an event space in Manhattan’s East Village. Taken by her dedication, talent and vision, they offered to partner with her and thus a 7MPR Themed Dance Theater production took place in February of 2019: the first of the seven yearly events she envisioned becoming a series.
Jiali Wang rehearses her choreography ‘Looking for Luke’ for Fertile Ground New Works Series, NY. © Christine Abbate, 2018
That first experience was a huge success and led to fine-tuning the format of this performance series. The intimate setting provided by the Arts On Site space is particularly suited to the concept and themes, and heightens the depth of interaction and expression between artists and audience. Jiali sets the tone at the beginning with a performance or a talk and ends the event with a drum circle and party, during which the public and the performers connect in dance. During 2019, 7MPR developed further and added on another branch: the 7MPR Themed Cultural Dance Collective. The Collective took part in NYC’s renown yearly Dance Parade and was the only traditional Chinese dance troupe performing. Wang feels deeply that sharing and teaching cultural dance is a powerful way to learn about other cultures, form deep connections, and embrace the beauty of diversity.
Though Wang’s initial concept of holding seven performances per year was cut short by the pandemic-induced shut-down, she kept her vision alive: during that time (2020-2021) did indeed produce another seven events – six virtual and one in person. The online editions during the COVID lockdown showed just how much 7MPR was responding to a need felt deeply both by performers and by the public. They provided respite and relief for one of the hardest hit industries, supported emotional needs of audience and artists, and built community, generating much-needed healing and connection for people worldwide, as well as for Jiali herself. “During that period, it was very hard, but I actually found a lot of inspiration: it forced me to stop and think even more about dance and instead of fighting the lockdown, I just let myself flow with it,” she says.
Jiali Wang dances with the audience at the 7MPR Themed Dance Theater-The First Midnight Performance, Arts On Site, NYC, © Christine Abbate, 2022
7MPR Themed Dance Theater has been attracting not only NYC’s most talented contemporary and modern dancers and choreographers (both emerging and established), but also musicians and artists of different art forms. Many are from the US, but there is also a strong international representation with artists from Taiwan, Japan, China, France, Italy, Mexico, India, Korea and England, among others, with each event featuring on average eight to nine different choreographers. Many return, after their first experience, drawn by Jiali’s professionalism in the many different hats she wears (founder, artistic director, mentor, choreographer, dancer and producer, among others). Wang has succeeded in creating a safe space for herself and others, presenting works that allow for openness and vulnerability, along with an impeccable level of quality and technique.
For some artists, like Aya Jane Saotome, participation in the 7MPR Themed Dance Theater brought back the same feelings of inspiration as her very first performance. Others, such as Ronit Levin Delgado and Teresa Fellion who joined for virtual productions during the lockdown, felt a strong sense of healing, creative support, and alignment in the vision of art as instrumental in facilitating difficult conversations. They all feel connected to something bigger, special, and part of a family.
The audience is enthusiastic, and the appreciation for this type of event is evident at the party that follows each event, as the interaction between performers and public is intense and moving. “7MPR is like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ – anything can happen!”, says one audience member. Experiencing artistic and constructive interpretations and reflections on societal barriers and issues, brings a sense of togetherness and unity.
Jiali Wang performs her piece ‘The Empty Room’ at Threes Brewing’s Franklin + Kent. © Caylee Shimizu, 2018
The past year kept Jiali busy, as she pursued her second MA (in Dance Education) at CUNY Hunter College and worked at the New York Chinese Cultural Center (as dancer, teaching artist, event coordinator, stage manager and performance director). Nonetheless, she still found the time to produce four 7MPR Themed Dance Theater events in 2022, which she continues to support out of her own pocket. Wang also continues to work on her own choreographies and shows and maintains her sharp skills and impeccable technique in modern, contemporary, and Chinese traditional dances by training and teaching. She is the only dancer in NYC able to perform “The Tea Master”, the traditional long teapot dance from her hometown Chengdu (in the Sichuan province).
As 2023 begins, she looks forward to growing both branches of the 7MPR program. “I would like to make 7MPR into an LLC or a non-profit. There are more people now that have heard ‘7MPR’ than ‘Jiali Wang’,” she says laughing. “It is hard work but if I make 7MPR into an organization I could do a lot more for the community of NYC artists. I would love to develop and teach a dance residency, or start educational programs,” she adds.
Wang’s story is a powerful reminder that you never know just how much you can inspire or be inspired, by doing what you love. In true “NYC style” she has brought together different cultures, ideas and perspectives, fostering connection and positive exchange through dance and the arts. There is much anticipation in the air for the upcoming year, including the ‘Fifth Midnight Performance – Immigrant Artists Matter’, scheduled for April 30th, 2023 (further information and tickets available here).
