October 10, 2025
Center for Performance Research
361 Manhattan Avenue Brooklyn, NY, 11211

unspoken//unbroken is a multidisciplinary evening of art, performance, and dialogue presented in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Event Details
Doors open at 6:30PM, Performance at 7:00PM
Location: Center for Performance Research, 361 Manhattan Avenue Brooklyn, NY, 11211
Event end time: 9:30PM

Curator & Exhibition Lead
Giada Matteini

Produced by
WADE

Supported in part by
NYU Tisch Dean’s Faculty Research Grant

Dedication:

To my sister,
and to all the gentle souls
forced to become warriors.

Information and Credits
Space 1, The Small Studio
The Garden of the Taken

140: Memorial In Bloom

The installation takes shape as a monumental ribbon composed of seven distinct segments, each representing a day of the week and holding 140 flowers: the UN-reported daily global average of women killed in 2024 by intimate partners or family members. Together, the seven planters embody a week in the life of the world, repeating a staggering and devastating pattern of loss. By translating these statistics into a tangible, living form, the work becomes both a memorial and a call to action: a demand that we not only remember the dead, but also reckon with the systems that make such violence possible.

After the event, the seven planters will be painted, sealed, and donated to organizations and individuals working to end domestic violence. We hope that these coffin-like vessels, created in memory of those lost, will find new life on windowsills across the country—nurturing fresh plant growth and symbolizing renewal.

Contributors:
Giada Matteini, Concept
Jon Allaire, Installation designer
Carissa Dahlia, Carpenter
Paper flowers handmade by Giada Matteini and members of the WADE community
Fabric faux flowers courtesy of Material for the Arts

Carissa Dahlia (she/her) has always loved building things and creating with her hands, but has been in carpentry for just over a decade now and enjoys the freelance lifestyle building sets with NYU Tisch's Grad department and loading in sets at off Broadway houses. When she isn't in a woodshop, holding a power tool, or otherwise covered in sawdust, she can be found near or on a wall at her local climbing gym, advocating for better theatre accessibility, reading at home with her senior cat Randy, or trying to tetris more art onto her apartment walls.

Every Ten Minutes (Time-based installation)

Every ten minutes, a rose is placed, marking a life lost to gender-based violence. Over the course of the event, the accumulating blooms become both a temporal record and a visual testament. The work asks viewers to witness, reflect, and reckon with the relentless passage of time and the urgent need for action.

Contributors:
Giada Matteini, Concept
Alisha Khatwani, The Keeper
Paper flowers handmade by Giada Matteini, Alisha Khatwani and Natalia Nikitin
Wall signage by Marissa Chen

Painted Panels: Visual Echoes of unspoken//unbroken

These panels echo the spirit of unspoken//unbroken—where color becomes memory and paint speaks what words cannot. Each mark honors a life, transforming data into remembrance and silence into resilience.

Contributors:
Giada Matteini, Concept
Marissa Chen, Multidisciplinary Artist

Marissa Chen is a multidisciplinary artist whose work moves fluidly between dance, film, photography, and design. Based in New York City and a recent graduate of NYU’s dance BFA program, she creates playful, emotionally-driven works that explore freedom, identity, and joy. These projects include dance pieces, short films, and installations, as well as paintings and drawings. Her practice is rooted in both classical and contemporary dance, with international experience at Berlin’s B12 Program, the Festival Internacional de Baile in Peru, and various creative opportunities in Italy and London. Marissa recently performed at Radio City Music Hall for the NYU Tisch graduation and has frequently collaborated with the Rochester City Ballet. As an Asian-American woman, Marissa’s work weaves together personal narrative and imaginative exploration—blurring boundaries between mediums and celebrating the ever-evolving journey of becoming.

729 (and counting)

729 (and counting) women and girls in the U.S. allegedly lost their lives to femicide in 2024. Based on the meticulous data collected by Dawn Wilcox from Women Count USA, this interactive visualization shows each life represented as a unique flower, marking their individuality and absence.

Contributors:
Sai Ram Ved Vijapurapu, NYU Tisch ITP
In collaboration with Tisch ITP Program

Sai Ram Ved Vijapurapu (he/him) is an information designer crafting delightful experiences with data & technology who draws inspiration from natural phenomena, often using code as a means to that end. In the past, his work has been recognized and celebrated by Culture Hub, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bangalore International Center and Information is Beautiful, among others.

New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) is a two-year program of full-time study leading to a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree. From the practical to the experimental, they are pushing the boundaries of interactivity. ITP’s mission is to explore the imaginative use of communications technologies—how they might augment, improve, and bring delight, utility and meaning into people's lives. Students earn a terminal Master's degree after two years of intensive technical, creative and conceptual work.

The History of WADE

WADE’s Digital Exhibition Video traces the organization’s evolution as a living archive of art, activism, and collective healing. More than a documentation, it is a moving portrait of a company shaped by trauma-informed practice, artistic inquiry, and the pursuit of safety and justice through movement. Across its history, WADE has transformed lived experience into choreography and research into embodied storytelling. This digital exhibition illuminates WADE’s ongoing commitment to gender-based violence awareness and prevention. It honors the company’s collaborators (artists, researchers, and advocates) who work together through a trauma-informed lens to challenge silence, elevate marginalized voices, and imagine more compassionate futures.

Contributor:
Corinne Hart, WADE Founding Member and Director of Operations

Information and Credits
Space 2, The Large Studio

Please join us at 7:00pm for a performance by choreographers Keerati Jinakunwiphat and Petra Zanki, developed through WADE’s Full ON Subject Residency in partnership with NYU Tisch Dance.
Performance run time: 60 minutes

About the Full ON Subject Residency

The Full ON Subject Residency is WADE’s inaugural multidisciplinary residency program that supports New York City-based, women-identifying and nonbinary choreographers in developing original dance works centered on feminist narratives, free from the constraints of the patriarchal male gaze. Rooted in WADE’s mission to amplify historically underrepresented voices and create systemic change through the arts, the residency offers choreographers a rare opportunity to explore themes of identity, power, and social transformation within a supportive, equity-centered environment.

This multi-year initiative provides artists with financial support, rehearsal space, curatorial mentorship, and production resources. The program challenges participants to examine how empowering women and nonbinary individuals can open new pathways to addressing deeply rooted systemic issues such as domestic violence, generational poverty, and social injustice. The Full ON Subject Residency program functions as both a platform for bold artistic experimentation and a catalyst for dialogue around social justice. It exemplifies WADE’s core belief that feminist leadership in the arts is essential to imagining and building a more just world. Through movement, storytelling, and intentional community engagement, the residency supports the development of work that is not only artistically impactful but deeply connected to collective healing and action.

The 2025 Full ON Subject Residency featured choreographers Keerati Jinakunwiphat and Petra Zanki who developed new work over a six-month period through studio rehearsal and collaborative research, culminating in this evening’s performance.

Thank you to our Full ON partners:
Peaceable Barn
New York University’s Dean’s Faculty Research Grant 2025
Pamela Pietro and NYU Tisch Dance

When women are allowed to be full-on subjects, liberated from structures that confine them to objectified existences, what does our world look like? How would leadership approach issues such as homelessness, generational poverty, gun control, and educational disparities? Would our relationship with Mother Earth transform? Could oppressive religious mandates dissolve? Might reparations for historical injustices be realized? When women interrogate their own internalized misogyny, racism, classism, ableism, and homophobia, what kind of storytelling emerges? When women lead, would men finally be free?

In Wonderland
Choreographer & Performer: Petra Zanki
Music/Sound Collage: Haganin Sevdah ( Što te Nema – Why aren’t you here?, traditional song/Jadranka Stojaković) Lamma Bada Yatathanna (لما بدا يتثنى My beloved / traditional song), היא שלום בתוכי (Hi Shalom B’Tochi "She is Peace Within Me, Nathan Rabin, Sweet Fern/ The Carter Family, Ballaké Sissoko “Esperanza”, Meredith Monk“Ellis Island”, Meredith Monk “Eon”.
Costumes: Petra Zanki
Lighting Design by Center for Performance Research resident lighting designer
Program note: Special thanks to Giada Matteini, Leslie and Eric at Peaceable Barn Residency, Redding CT, Vallejo Gantner and Gundega Laivina, and Vallejo for purpleblue house Residency, Callicoon NY, Benjamin Goosman and John C. Robinson for their continuous generous support, Sharoni and Dan for Hebrew, and Alber Baseel for Arabic pronunciation.
About the work: Once upon a time, there was a girl born in a small village on the Adriatic Sea. She loved dancing and started as a folk dancer in a local community. Folk dancing was the only option available in Yugoslavia, aside from ballet. Her parents were not wealthy enough to send her to ballet, so she got to do folk dancing. She danced herself all the way up into a contemporary dancer landing in America only to discover that there might be a wolf there. Bringing the Balkans she comes from and their complex and diverse traditions to the spectators’ subconscious and conscious perception, in the manner of folktales, through a kaleidoscope of movement, text, music, scenography and video imagery, “In Wonderland” tells the story of how large-scale violence can make us more susceptible to other types of violence. It is a danced fairytale from the past to the future, in seven images that, instead of judging, speaks about forgiveness.
Developed in coproduction with WADE Dance /TISCH/NYU through the residencies FULL ON SUBJECT as well as Peaceable Barn, CT, and PurpleBlue House, Callicoon, NY.

About the music: 
Haganin Sevdah ( Što te Nema – Why aren’t you here?) sung in Bosnian
Haganin Sevdah is a traditional Bosnian sevdalinka whose origins trace back centuries. It combines Ottoman/Turkish musical traditions with South Slavic oral poetry, enriched by Balkan, Sephardic, and Romani influences. The earliest documented references appear in the 16th-century Ottoman-era Erlangen Manuscript. The title is derived from the Turkish word hazan (autumn) and sevdah (deep, melancholic longing), it tell stories of unfulfilled desire, separation, and heartache, often expressing the deep, reflective sorrow known as sevdah.
Lamma Bada Yatathanna (When he appeared, He began to sway gracefully) sung in Arabic
Lamma Bada Yatathanna is a classical Arabic muwashshah from medieval Al-Andalus (9th–10th centuries). It blends classical Arabic poetic meters with Iberian melodic elements, and Sephardic Jewish poets and musicians contributed to its composition and transmission. The title translates as “When He Appeared, He Began to Sway Gracefully,” The lyrics describe the graceful appearance and movements of a beloved, often using imagery of elegance, charm, and attraction and the song expresses themes of love, beauty, and graceful longing. Muwashshah like this influenced Mediterranean, North African, and Ottoman music.
Hi Shalom B’Tochi (היא שלום בתוכי) My prayer sung in Hebrew
Natan Rabin is the author of the song היא שלום בתוכי (Hi Shalom B’Tochi), which translates to "She is Peace Within Me." It is a modern Hebrew spiritual song by Nathan Rabin focused on inner peace, gratitude, and mindfulness. The song was released as part of his album My Prayer on December 12, 2023, under the TaOr Music label. Its flowing, stepwise melody and minor/modal tonality echo characteristics of traditional Jewish nigunim and Sephardic folk music, though it is a contemporary composition. The lyrics emphasize daily reflection, trust in oneself, and appreciation for life, creating a meditative and contemplative atmosphere.
Sweet Fern – Sara and Maybelle Carter, performing as part of the Carter Family, were pioneers of American folk music in the early 20th century. Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups of their era, they played a pivotal role in shaping bluegrass, country, southern gospel, pop, rock, and the American folk revival of the 1960s. Known as the “First Family of Country Music,” they earned a place in the Nashville Hall of Fame. Despite these achievements, the Carters never reached the same level of commercial success,a dn did not break into the mainstream. They often returned to their home in Clinch Valley, Virginia, remaining deeply connected to their roots, frequently disillusioned by the trappings of the show business world.
Esperanza - Ballaké Sissoko embodies the griot tradition born into a prestigious lineage of Malian griots, he inherited the ancient role of West African musical storyteller, learning the historical epics, genealogies, and praise songs that kora instrument players have transmitted for generations. His playing maintains the griot's essential function as oral historian, with melodies that carry centuries of Mandé memory and narrative, yet he has expanded what stories the kora can tell. Ballaké uses the kora to narrate not just ancestral histories but contemporary stories of cultural exchange, migration, and connection across borders. He demonstrates that the griot's storytelling role is inherently adaptive, just as griots have always shaped their narratives to speak to their present moment, Ballaké honors his heritage by allowing the kora's voice to chronicle both Mali's ancient past and Africa's evolving place in the modern world.
Meredith Monk is an American composer, vocalist, and interdisciplinary artist known for her pioneering work in extended vocal techniques and minimalist composition. Her piece "Ellis Island" (1981) is a hauntingly evocative work created for a film about the abandoned immigration station, using wordless vocals, repetitive melodic patterns, and layered voices to conjure the ghosts of millions of immigrants who passed through that portal to Americ. The music becomes a kind of emotional archaeology, giving voice to forgotten stories of hope, loss, and transformation. "Eon" (1989) is part of her larger work "Book of Days" and showcases her signature approach of using the voice as a pure instrument beyond language, with ancient-sounding modal melodies and rhythmic vocal textures that seem to exist outside linear time. Both pieces exemplify Monk's ability to create deeply spiritual, almost ritualistic music that explores human experience and memory through sound itself rather than words, making her vocal compositions feel like they're reaching across centuries to touch something primal and universal in the human condition.

Short Pause

soil to sky
Choreographer & Performer: Keerati Jinakunwiphat
Music/Sound: ‘New Dawn’ by Sathapat Sangsuwan, ‘Wave’ by Antonio Carlos Jobim, ‘Knives’ and ‘Washing’ by Quaba Venza Ernest, and 'ลำปางใหญ่’ by นิก กอไผ่.
Costumes by Karen Young
Lighting Design by Center for Performance Research resident lighting designer
About the Work: soil to sky honors the labor, sacrifice, and care of past and present ancestors. With these domestic objects, we transform everyday spaces into scenes of resonance, lineage, and belonging.

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WADE Team

Giada Matteini | Founder, Artistic and Executive Director
Giada Matteini (she/they) is an Italian performer, educator, choreographer, and cultural producer based in New York City. She is the Founder and Director of WADE (Wandering Avian Dance Experience), a women-led multifaceted performing arts company working at the intersection with social justice and focused on supporting the voices and artistic expressions of women and historically underrepresented artists. Giada is also an Assistant Arts Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Principal Investigator of an NYU funded research project investigating somatic movement rehabilitation models for perpetrators of gender-based violence. They have traveled as a guest artist to Germany, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Spain, China, The Philippines, Mexico and across the U.S. and Italy.

Corinne Hart | Founding Member, Director of Operations
Corinne Hart (she/her) is an accomplished dancer, educator, and arts administrator. She has performed with reputable companies such as Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, WADEensemble, and RIOULT Repertoire Group at venues including New York City Center Studios and The Ailey Citigroup Theater. Corinne holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Nutritional Studies from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Her performance repertoire includes classical and contemporary works by Pascal Rioult, Ori Flomin, Roy Assaf, Cherylyn Lavagnino, Stephanie Batten Bland, and Sadé Alleyne. In her role as an arts administrator and freelancer through Corinne Hart LLC, she provides advice and strategic planning to enhance her clients' operations through grant writing, digital marketing, and more.

Dahyun Kim | Public Relations and Research Director
Dahyun Kim, pronounced [Da-hyeon Khim] is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Seoul, South Korea. She has recently received her M.F.A. in Dance at Tisch School of the Arts and M.A. in Dance Education at Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dahyun is deeply passionate about creating a culturally responsive and research based practice. Her artistry recently has been focused on understanding her cultural identity, and sharing with the world the nuanced beauties that lie in Korean art forms. This can be seen in her works such as ‘흥 | Joy’ premiered in Queensboro Dance Festival 2022, ‘수심가 | Depth of Water’ premiered in Tisch Masters Concert 2023, and ’일엽편주 | Paper Boat‘. A versatile mover, Dahyun has performed in choreographies by Ronald K. Brown, Jesse Obremski, Kaya Wolsey, Deborah Damast, Austin J Eyer, Michele Dunleavy, Esl Kim, Yunjung Jang, Rafael Cañals, David Cartahena Lee, and more. She is currently a company member with Gotham Dance Theatre, and she works as a freelancer based in NYC. Dahyun is a deep believer that dance is for everyone, and they wish to live as living proof of this statement.

Alisha Kathwani | Marketing Director
Alisha Khatwani (she/her) is a dynamic dancer and digital artist. After relocating to New York in 2021 to pursue her dreams at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Alisha earned her BFA in Dance with a minor in Digital Art and Design. Her training under prestigious artists from companies such as Gallim Dance Co., AIM by Kyle Abraham, and Limón has shaped her into an expressive artist. Alisha's artistic evolution extends beyond dance; she also thrives as a digital artist, exploring avenues in graphic design, photography, and video projects. Her experiences studying abroad in Berlin with the B12 dance program and performing at renowned festivals, like Battery Dance, at NYU Tisch Graduation at Radio City Music Hall, and in the Eden Gardens, have broadened her artistic horizons. As Alisha continues to blend her passions in dance and digital art, with great emphasis on connection and expression through art. 

Natasha Rotondaro | Lighting Designer and Stage Manager
Natasha Marie Rotondaro is a Canadian-born international lighting designer, currently based out of New York City. She uses light to build new worlds and tell stories within them. She loves collaboration, and explores light through theatre, dance, and other art forms where light can shape space. Natasha received her MFA in Design from the NYU Tisch Design for Stage and Film program.  Portfolio:
www.natasharotondaro.com Instagram/TikTok: @natashagetslit 

John Eng | Photographer
John Eng (he/him) is a freelance photographer who is based in the NYC metro area. His clientele includes a diverse portfolio of organizations and dance companies and his award-winning work has been featured in online and print publications. John’s passion for photography comes from the desire to capture fleeting moments in time with lasting images that evoke emotion.

Matteo Ferrone | Production Assistant
Matteo Ferrone, a native New Yorker, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at City College of New York to focus on a career in healthcare. This past summer he worked his first job in the field as an occupational therapist assistant at the Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Riverdale. A competitive ice hockey and soccer player, he grew up surrounded by dancers who have influenced his understanding of a healthy mind-healthy body connection and of a deep commitment to one's craft. He has served as WADE's production assistant and videographer since 2021 working both in Italy and in New York and has been present at every Dance HUB Italy since its inception in 2010 at the tender age of six.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WADE extends heartfelt gratitude to its dedicated board members, Seán Curran and Adia Edmonson. Giada offers sincere appreciation to the incredible WADE team, the talented collaborating artists, and the vibrant WADE community who brought this vision to life and continue to inspire our work.

We are deeply thankful for the research support of Patricia C. Lewis, Nadine J. Kaslow, Yuk Fai Cheong, Dabney P. Evans, Kathryn M. Yount, and Dawn Wilcox, as well as for the production support of the CPR team.

Special thanks to Pamela Pietro and the NYU Tisch Dance Department for their unwavering support.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE

The International Human Rights Art Festival 25

Wednesday, December 10th, 2025
8:30 pm

The Tank, 312 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Tickets on sale soon!