Brianna Figueroa is a dance historian, performance scholar, dramaturg, and choreographer. Her research illuminates the vibrant but critically under-explored legacy of Latinx dancemaking in the US. In her dissertation, "Ballet Hispanico: Constructing Latinx Identity Through Concert Dance," she outlined the historical significance of Ballet Hispanico—the oldest and largest continuously operated dance institution dedicated to the Latinx experience. Her current body of research forwards this work by focusing on the cultural labor of independent and experimental Latinx dancemakers. Dr. Figueroa’s line of inquiry is a direct response and supplement to her creative practice, which uses contemporary dance to explore issues of identity, community, and inheritance. As a performer, she danced with choreographers such as Jacob Mora and Luciana Achugar. She is also a founding member of Block Party Collective, a group of scholars and artists based in Austin, Texas, who curate interdisciplinary and interactive performances that center youth and queer folks of color.
Identity Is Entirely Bullshit and Undeniably Real
“Identity is all at once stable and fluid, grounding and brittle, entirely bullshit and undeniably real.” Dance historian, performance scholar, dramaturg, and choreographer Brianna Figueroa on identity and performance.