Jessica and Clara finally reunited in the studio for this interview with Miki Orihara, Choreographer and former Graham dancer. We speculated on the differences between modern dance and ballet, and Miki shared her thoughts on how Graham’s technique sticks with the dancer as well as her own efforts to both honor and diverge from that technique. She also shared fascinating stories about entering the dance world after coming to America from Japan and her initial attraction to the theater. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did.

Miki Orihara is known for her Bessie Award-winning career with the Martha Graham Dance Company, which she joined in 1987.  In addition to performing the Graham repertory, she has worked closely with the renowned Japanese-American dancer, choreographer and director, Yuriko, preserving her unique approach to Graham technique. She recently presented In the Box 2 – You and Me – (ITB2) at La MaMa theater. It follows the 2015 premiere of In the Box which explored the paradox of “where technology meets the body” inspired by Schrodinger’s cat (quantum mechanics).  ITB2 explored human natured by mixing the human body with technology.  Using a streamlined technology of sensor system and infrared camera, audiences can enjoy the dancer’s motions and visual expressions through streamlined technology including CG, infrared cameras, and three-dimensional audio.