Testimonial – Sabrina Lastman, SOAK 2012

“I want to thank CAVE for this opportunity to teach at the SOAK Festival. I think it is a great project combining performances & workshops during a week. My experience teaching “The Sonoric Voice Workshop” was reach and I really appreciated the participants being very open-minded to the experience. This workshop gave me inspiration for a future workshop for artists who want to research voice-sound seeds for their own artistic work. Also, the idea that teaching artists share among them their experiences and knowledge is very generous.”

– Sabrina Lastman, LEIMAY Guest Teacher, 2012

Testimonial – Stephanie Lanckton, SOAK 2012

“The SOAK Festival was a gathering of artists and community in a supportive setting. A chance to see what other local artists are interested in and creating. It was a diverse blend of performances and workshops, which felt very grassroots and authentic. I made new connections with people I didn’t know were here, and now have relationships with them. Also, I shared my own interests and creations with artists who had never seen my work before. I had a memorable and valuable experience at The SOAK Festival.”

– Stephanie Lanckton, LEIMAY Collaborator, 2012

Testimonial – Rachel Cohen, SOAK 2012

“Participating in the SOAK festival made me feel like an important member of a community of talented and committed artists. It was a great chance to share visions and ideas and to get valuable feedback. The atmosphere created was exactly what I entered the arts –and came to NYC– looking for. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of it!”

– Rachel Cohen, Black Studio Resident, 2012

Testimonial – Rabbi Susan Laemmle, SOAK 2012

“We were visiting NY and took the opportunity to see our old friend Ben Spatz perform. We went to see his friend Maximilian, whom we met at Ben and Michelle’s wedding, perform as well, which was nice. We found both presentations engaging and professional, though I particularly liked the inter-textual, more serious bent of Ben’s piece, which reminded me of Beckett.”

– Rabbi Susan Laemmle, Ph.D.

Testimonial – Sophie Ortiz, Outsight 2024

“Participating in LEIMAY’s OUTSIGHT series was a transformative experience for Taylor and me. After six months of dedicated work in the studio, it was exhilarating to present our newest piece, CIS BOOM BLAH, to an audience beyond our usual creative space. The setting—the Dorothy Strelsin Community Garden, was picturesque, surrounded by fellow artists, friends, and family—created a vibrant backdrop that amplified our excitement.”

– Sophie Ortiz, Outsight Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Emily LaRochelle, Outsight 2024

“Everyone I have met from LEIMAY is welcoming and generous. The programming feels accessible and community-focused. I am so grateful to know about this amazing organization, and I look forward to attending more of their events.”

– Emily LaRochelle, Outsight Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Sarazina Stein, Outsight 2024

“The LEIMAY staff and team are so kind, supportive, and generous! Their events are very welcoming and presented beautifully, and I feel honored to be a part of the LEIMAY community of diverse artists.”

– Sarazina Stein, Outsight Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Ching-I Chang, Outsight 2024

“The peripherals/subalterns often create works outside the mainstream. The OUTSIGHT program supported the creation of the outsiders with its full force of nature.”

– Ching-I Chang, Outsight Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Tamara Leigh, Outsight 2023

“LEIMAY has been an extremely supportive resource in my career. The day of the show we felt very supported and cared for. They have found many ways to uplift emerging artists and bring communities together.”

– Tamara Leigh, Outsight Artist, 2023

Testimonial – Dominica Greene, Outsight 2023

“OUTSIGHT was a wonderful opportunity to share community-engaged work in an accessible and serene environment. I’d certainly do it or attend again!”

– Dominica Greene, Outsight Artist, 2023

Testimonial – Victoria Guest, Outsight 2023

“The Outsight event was incredibly refreshing with the perfect garden setting, beautiful live performances, and the opportunity to connect with such a wonderful and welcoming community. It was my first time going to a LEIMAY event, and it felt like such a safe space.”

– Victoria Guest, Outsight Artist, 2023

Testimonial – Nadia Khayrallah, Outsight 2023

“OUTSIGHT was a refreshing way to connect with an audience in an intimate public space. The community garden as an environment instilled a sense of care and groundedness in our performances.”

– Nadia Khayrallah, Outsight Artist, 2023

Testimonial – Cora Laszlo, Outsight 2021

“I’m very grateful for the fellowship, and I think it allows the artists an open space to pursue their ideas with both freedom and support. The format worked well for me: having the studio allowed me to keep my practice and dive into the creative process and having OUTISIGHT to share the creation guided the process. The creation of sight-specific works is part of my previous work, and this fellowship was great to continue this ongoing research. The virtual initiatives (the workshops, the OUTISGHT IN, and our meetings) were great to keep us connected. I also thank you all from LEIMAY that created a warm and welcoming relation throughout the whole series.”

– Cora Laszlo, Outsight Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Thea Little, Outsight 2021

“I feel grateful that LEIMAY provided the sound system and power that I needed and Brandon was very clear and responsive reassuring me about that as well as answering email questions promptly. I felt supported by LEIMAY as well: Ximena’s speech after my performance was very warm and Shige helped me with figuring out what was wrong with my first headmic as well as “showing me the ropes” with how to keep the rope untangled. I also felt happy that Masa and Polina were there to support and help out in a friendly way as well. Krystel marketed the events very well and I liked the request for all of us to put stories onto the LEIMAY IG.”

– Thea Little, Outsight Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Rebecca Pappas, Outsight 2021

“The tech ran smoothly and all worked hard and well to put on a show. I was so appreciative of the opportunities through the last year and a half to share and develop work in progress. I am so thankful to Shige, Brandon, Krystel, Masa and Ximena for all your work on these programs. Very appreciated.”

– Rebecca Pappas, Outsight Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Kelly Ashton Todd, Outsight 2019

“My experience with LEIMAY and OUTSIGHT was essential to both projects I am in the process for. Being awarded free studio space allowed me to remove the pressures of creating quickly and just be able to live in the process of playing, exploring, and molding a story. Collaborating with OUTSIGHT was an experience I’ve been craving, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen. It is essential for the work I’m doing to discover more ways to merge the local NYC community with my global environmental work and I believe that begins with our communal gardens.”

– Kelly Ashton Todd, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Martin & Arely, Outsight 2019

“At the Outsight performance we had the opportunity to share a work, on the one hand with NYC artistic peers, but also with the community surrounding the garden. It’s great to have people walking by and joining a performance experience, it’s what the experience of performing at the Dorothy Strelsin Memorial Garden can provide.

We were able to use some materials that we found on the site, like stone bricks, or the sound created by feet on the stone soil. Designing the path on the already set pathways of the garden was a superposition of two tracks, a performative one and an everyday one.”

– Martin & Arely, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Rebecca Fitton, Outsight 2019

“LEIMAY’s fellowship program allowed me the chance to build a consistent studio practice, something I’ve never had in NYC. The OUTSIGHT series gave me the opportunity to build a work in an environment I believe in and experiment with creative aspects typically adjacent to my performance-based work.”

– Rebecca Fitton, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Deborah Black, Outsight 2019

“I loved being a part of Outsight. All communications from the LEIMAY staff were organized and clear. The space was well described and I enjoyed having ample time to tech and rehearse before the show. More importantly, Outsight is an exciting dance event for New York City. I love that it is free and therefore accessible to anyone who wants to join. Thank you for a wonderful experience!”

– Deborah Black, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Audience at Outsight 2019

“Outstanding/ exceptional; interesting how they incorporate the audience; it was a wonderful/ beautiful show”

– Audience at OUSIGHT September 29, 2019. Performance by Effy Grey.

Testimonial – Emily Smith, Outsight 2019

“I was so happy to be able to perform in such a beautiful space! It was inspiring to the work itself.

And it was lovely to meet people who gathered around this space as a space of peace within the neighborhood.

I was very happy to work with Kayleigh, Ximena, and Shige, expectations were clear, and I felt taken care of as a performer.

I feel like my work as an artist has grown from this experience and I am grateful to have been a part of this series.”

– Emily Smith, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Esther BakerTarpaga, Outsight 2019

“I enjoyed working in the garden and responding to the space in a cement-full environment. It rained. I started at an orange wall across the street where I saw a model posing earlier in the day. Adama and I connected with flute drum and dance. The intense ending proved to be complex and real and I’m thankful Ximena and Shige came to support. What a good nite to recognize the deep understanding and support we developed at Earthdance.”

– Esther BakerTarpaga, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Roxy Gordon, Outsight 2019

“Part of my LEIMAY Fellowship involved a presentation of my work in the OUTSIGHT Series at the Dorothy Streslin Community Garden. The work that I was cultivating had, up until OUTSIGHT, lived in the LEIMAY space. The space itself is a blank canvas. White box with marley is hard to come by in NYC and having it to create both complicated my process and enhanced it. Having such a neutral space forced my work deeper inside itself, creating something even more sensual and exploratory than I had thought was possible. Being asked to then move the work from a whitebox studio into a public garden was an important moment for me to add a new layer to the piece while simultaneously editing out what no longer felt relevant. It forced me to ask questions that my research had previously not been asked. What happens when our work is witnessed in a public space? What becomes important and what gets lost? I found that the parts of my work that I had not been able to understand either fell away completely in the garden or became fully fleshed out. Nature and specifically a garden maintained and loved by a community is a creative tool that can nurture not only the flowers and plants that grow in it but also the people and the art that live in it for a short time. Watching people walk by and stop by was really powerful. Witnessing art just like we witness the trees on the streets we walk every day both makes art more accessible and part of the atmosphere.”

– Roxy Gordon, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Pamyla Cummings, Outsight 2019

“Performing “Nox” choreographed by Joy Douglas outdoors in this beautiful garden brought a new element to the work. I felt more connected to the dirt, the grass, the trees and the world around me.”

– Pamyla Cummings, Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Ann Francis Ang, Outsight 2019

“It gave me an alternative perspective toward site-specific performance, and adjusting from the studio to the garden space provided a challenging but fruitful experience.”

– Ann Francis Ang (Douglas & Co. Performer), Outsight Artist, 2019

Testimonial – Anonymous, Incubator 2024

“Finding and renting a rehearsal studio when creating choreographies has been a significant burden, so LEIMAY’s incubator program was very helpful in my creative process.

The studio is in a convenient and trendy location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The studio with a sprung floor and a beautiful ceiling window was like my dream rehearsal studio.

The staff at LEIMAY was very friendly, supportive, efficient, and quick to respond to any of my questions.

Thanks to LEIMAY’s Incubator program, I could develop my practice of body movement and Zen meditation relationships. Thank you.”

– Anonymous, Incubator Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Beau Bree Rhee, Incubator 2023

“The LEIMAY Incubator Artist Residency program is a generous program that gave me the space & time to explore new choreographic ideas in a non-hurried & supportive way. The freedom to create without a specific deliverable is really special & radical. There’s a respect for the process of creation that feels spacious and respectful. The space is intimate, historic & worked really well for the suite of portrait-solos I was working on this spring. I enjoyed the sense of community developed with the LEIMAY team & the other resident artists”.

– Beau Bree Rhee, Incubator Artist, 2023

Testimonial – Nicole von Arx, Incubator 2022

“I’m grateful for creative homes like LEIMAY that offer a stress-free, welcoming, and process-based residencies for artists like myself.”

– Nicole von Arx, Incubator Artist, 2022

Press Quote – Brooklyn Rail, Love is Shock by Shinichi Koga, NYBF 2003

“Hiding under mounds of a gorgeous fabric cloak, (Koga) softly blew a white kerchief from his face and peaked out curiously. A charming presence, he was rooted but levitating; within this tiny gem of a dance a path from dark to light moved like a stream. Eventually, letting down the burden of his cloak, he stomped on it as he turned in a slow circle. I overheard an audience member say “I want to marry that dance.”’’

– Alissa Cardone, “Butoh: The Good of Going Out of Style,” The Brooklyn Rail, 2004

 

Testimonial – Ari LaMora

“I am so grateful to have been provided this time and space through LEIMAY. It allowed me to have a safe space to explore and create without physical limitations such as a couch or dining room table, as well as without mental limitations such as roommates interrupting. It was so nice to begin and end my days in a space to process, reflect and grow. The community created and provided through the Incubator Program is something that I will cherish moving forward.”

– Ari LaMora, Incubator Artist, 2022

Testimonial – Kristel Baldoz

“LEIMAY’s Incubator Program was a great way for me to work on my artistic ideas without any pressure to create a piece, allowing me to wildly experiment!”

– Kristel Baldoz, Incubator Artist, 2022

Testimonial – Melani De Guzman

“The LEIMAY Incubator program truly supports artists of all disciplines. They are extremely helpful, communicative, and giving. The space is so sacred and allows you to focus on your craft.”

– Melani De Guzman, Incubator Artist, 2022

Testimonial – Selma Trevino

“The Incubator program gave me ground to start a project in the middle of the pandemic in a very uncertain time. I could not have done without it, because I had no money to pay for a studio to work. To be able to restart working in my artistic goals, gave me support and encouraged me to keep working and applying for more opportunities. I already had a work-in-progress showing and more opportunities coming my way because I have something solid, created during the residency. Thank you LEIMAY!”

– Selma Trevino, Incubator Artist, 2022

Testimonial – Yoko Murakami

“The Incubator program by LEIMAY was very special – the space is cozy and feels totally detached from the hectic NYC energy. The skylight connects us to the sense of time and I enjoyed being in the space in both darkness and light. I benefited from the fact that it was a process-based program, yet the organizers were very supportive in sharing our works-in-process and any showings we may have. Very grateful for the summer I spent there and hope to find myself in the space again soon!”

– Yoko Murakami, Incubator Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Dorchel Haqq

“This intimate incubation space allowed me to explore the rawness of my imagination. The program welcomed and respected my process by giving me time to explore in depth.”

– Dorchel Haqq, Incubator Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Incubator Participant

“I really appreciate LEIMAY’s dedication to reaching out and offering support with no strings attached. It was a surprising gift to know I would be able to take time for myself each week this fall to build on specific works and to expand into my practice in general. This small team was immensely helpful and thoughtful in what they offered and I am excited for more artists to have a chance at this program in the future.”

– Incubator Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Mar Orozco Arango

“The Incubator Program is exactly what an artist needs: space to make art. It is because of programs like this that underrepresented artists can emerge, and I am deeply grateful for having been a part of it.”

– Mar Orozco Arango, Incubator Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Sandra F. Kaplan, At Home 2022

“I was so glad to be back at CAVE! I enjoyed the performance and was interested to see a 2022 performer modifying Butoh as time has gone by. I was also interested in the talk afterwards.”

– Sandra F. Kaplan, Audience Member, 2022

Testimonial – Ogemdi Ude

“Having a consistent time/schedule in the space is really helpful for me to wrap my mind around the long-term development of a solo project. Thank you for this generous opportunity! I am so grateful.”

– Ogemdi Ude, Incubator Artist, 2021

Testimonial – Peggy Gould

“The depth of knowledge and artistry, and the profound generosity of the LEIMAY community are among the many admirable aspects of this program. The commitment here to welcome all participants, to honor each individual’s presence and unique capacity to engage in this practice, while providing well-considered encouragement to go beyond what we are accustomed to doing as performers, makes possible a level of achievement for each and for all as a group. The growing vision of connecting and building artistry over great distances through the use of live-streaming media is especially inspiring.”

– Peggy Gould, LEIMAY LUDUS Training Group Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Xi Nan

“LEIMAY’s staff/teachers care about all bodies’ needs and made accommodations when I registered for the LUDUS training class— due to my physical disability, I wanted to give a try for the first class to see if it would be suitable for me. LEIMAY offered me a free first class and a discounted rate when I decided to register for the full course. And their teachers are responsible and make students feel so welcome as we are from all levels and diverse backgrounds. And they are also planning to install some facilities to assist people with disabilities practice in the studio.”

– Xi Nan, LEIMAY LUDUS Training Group Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Anonymous

“The LEIMAY LUDUS Training group was an excellent dive back into movement after having taken some time off from dance classes. It pushed me creatively and physically, and gave me a lot to work with not only in the studio, but in my creative practices outside of it.”

– Anonymous, LEIMAY LUDUS Training Group Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Cora Laszlo

“LEIMAY LUDUS Lab was not only a great opportunity to learn from the deep movement and creation research LEIMAY has developed, but also a space for community and reflection on how to keep moving today.”

– Cora Laszlo, LEIMAY LUDUS Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Claire B

“The training opportunity is one of a kind. Interesting people with unique perspectives on art will take you for a wild ride. Your psyche emerges refreshed and your body properly challenged to surpass the everyday uses to which it is usually put.”

– Claire B, LEIMAY LUDUS Training Group Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Jeremy Goren

“This workshop experience was truly a gift. I signed up because I was feeling a bit lonely and isolated artistically. I hadn’t done any dance training in a while and I was looking to meet new friends and collaborators. I got just that and much more. I had researched or experienced similar forms of movement practice while studying dance in New York and abroad, but I had never done anything over the span of multiple weeks. I know the LUDUS Lab barely scratched the surface of the work that is normally done at LEIMAY; however, I could tell by the way we were led through the work and by observing the way Ximena works with Krystal and Masa, that these practices ask us to step outside of ourselves and dive deep, and then to go even further, continuing to question and explore how to deepen from there. I left each Tuesday night with a fresh set of eyes on the world, and new perspective from which to move.”

– Jeremy Goren, LEIMAY LUDUS Training Group Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Akane Little

“LEIMAY really offers a special space of liberated movement exploration. LEIMAY cultivates a space unique from many other contemporary dance spaces in New York City – the environment is warm, welcoming, non-competitive, and allows for genuine space to explore movement and deepen into artistry.”

– Akane Little, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab – Yukio Suzuki Participant, 2022

Testimonial – Claire B.

“This class is the highlight of my week, I love it! In a welcoming, non-judgmental setting, physical elements are carefully attended to while the mind and spirit are revitalized. It is an honor to explore with members of this amazing company their butoh-derived movement practice called LUDUS.”

– Claire B., LEIMAY LUDUS Online Class Participant, 2021

Testimonial – Arielle Gonzalez

“I attend LEIMAY classes as a way to connect with fellow artists while simultaneously expanding my own personal creativity. Taking LEIMAY classes allowed me to explore my imagination in a profoundly deep and engaged way… something I don’t think I had done in YEARS. This informed my movement as a dancer and brought me immense joy as a person. I took part in the Becoming series of classes in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic and always left class feeling better than when I had come in. It was grounding, enlightening, and truly a delight to come to class every week. I am a better artist for it.”

– Arielle Gonzalez, LEIMAY LUDUS Online Class Participant, 2020

Testimonial – Elyse Desmond

“LEIMAY Online classes offer me a sense of warmth and openness as soon as I join the Zoom room. When I take Latin Cardio I always feel like I have walked into a dance party with close friends and my body feels great after!”

– Elyse Desmond, LEIMAY LUDUS Online Class Participant, 2020

Testimonial – Ruxandra Raffols

“My daughter and I participated in the online classes together. We were able to get a welcome relief from the Covid19 experience by escaping into the fun and silly world of dance that LEIMAY offered. She would look forward to the next class every week, and the lessons would often transfer into our everyday life, as I could see her considering the movement of everyday objects. My favorite part was hearing the class taught bilingually. We are a bilingual family and my children are very much used to hearing things expressed twice.”

– Ruxandra Raffols, LEIMAY LUDUS Online Class Participant, 2020

Testimonial – Michael Mangieri

“This LUDUS lab was an incredible experience. Tadashi is a unique, powerful and playful teacher. I learned so much about the body, about improvisation, about performance that I’ll be metabolizing for a long time. I feel lucky to have worked with the other lab participants. Thank you to Ximena, Shige and LEIMAY company for cultivating such an alive and accessible artistic community.”

– Michael Mangieri, LEIMAY LUDUS Performance Lab -Tadashi Endo Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Sophie Ortiz, Outsight 2024

“Participating in LEIMAY’s OUTSIGHT series was a transformative experience for Taylor and me. After six months of dedicated work in the studio, it was exhilarating to present our newest piece, CIS BOOM BLAH, to an audience beyond our usual creative space. The setting—the Dorothy Strelsin Community Garden, was picturesque, surrounded by fellow artists, friends, and family—created a vibrant backdrop that amplified our excitement.

The unique blend of cheerleading’s familiar aesthetic with its dark history blended into the technique sparked a genuine curiosity about how our work would be received. The laughter and cheers from the audience were not just affirmations of our efforts but also a thrilling rush of adrenaline that fueled our performance.

CIS BOOM BLAH is a reflection of our journey through shared moments of fun, frustration, and curiosity. The Incubator program with LEIMAY and the opportunity to cultivate our work with such a supportive community has been incredibly rewarding. We are profoundly grateful for this experience and the chance to engage with other passionate artists.”

– Sophie Ortiz, Outsight Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Ching-I Chang

“LEIMAY provides easy and accessible application process for international artists whose native language might not be English. The venue is a welcoming place that dedicate to embodied artists with LEIMAY’s tremendous generosity of time, space and artistic support. A rare gift in the art world.”

-Ching-I Chang, Incubator Artist, 2024

Testimonial – Judith Barnes, SOAK 2018

“Bringing SOAK to the stage in collaboration with LEIMAY and City Tech was a gratifying experience in collective artistic production. The myriad tasks of producing the (very diverse) performances were accomplished by the Fellows and the staff of LEIMAY in a remarkably efficient way. As a long-time artistic producer myself, I was impressed at the thoroughness of the vision and the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that characterized the entire effort.”

– Judith Barnes, SOAK Artist and LEIMAY Fellow, 2018

Testimonial – Moeno Wakamatsu

“I have had the pleasure to be a LEIMAY guest teacher at CAVE for several years now. When I teach at LEIMAY, I find serious, intelligent, and creative participants of all ages and backgrounds, who are eager to challenge themselves. What I appreciate is the level understanding by its directors and the community of artistic concepts often difficult to grasp and to master. I find that LEIMAY is unique as it was founded by artists and the directors continue to maintain their artistic integrity. LEIMAY’s studio CAVE has been a vibrant place of concerts, performances, and exhibitions, and it is precisely this background of this real working place that makes LEIMAY LUDUS Training program an important place for pedagogy on the arts. One can truly call it a ‘workshop’ of the arts. I have seen LEIMAY develop in the last 10 years, and I hope to continue to see its growth”.

– Moeno Wakamatsu, LUDUS Guest Teacher, 2020

Testimonial – Sonia Nizam

“I want to let you know how much I enjoyed your class!!! I have learned so much about letting go and moving the body in a way where the audience is unnecessary. ‘Dance like nobody is watching’ felt like a theme.

And I truly appreciate the cost reduction, because I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without it.

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of LEIMAY. I am optimistic about the future though, I would really like to take classes at LEIMAY when this pandemic ends.”

– Sonia Nizam, LEIMAY LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2020

Testimonial – Erin Landers

“1) LUDUS Community Class is a dance class open to all which focuses on movement from an experiential perspective through set exercises, imagery, and personal and group explorations. 2) one of the many things I took away from community class is the possibility of strength without effort. 3) this class is fun, challenging, physical, thought-provoking, and you should definitely give it a try.”

– Erin Landers, LEIMAY LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2018

 

Testimonial – Michael Mangieri

“I keep coming back to community classes and labs because I’m fascinated by the elements that make up LEIMAY’s practice. As someone who doesn’t have a performing background it’s wonderful to have a passage into such a singular and rich body of work. Ximena and company members create a warm and inclusive space in a way that feels both freeing and rigorous. Thank you LEIMAY!”

– Michael Mangieri, LEIMAY LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Sorin Prodea

“The training with Ximena was great, I really enjoyed what I learned from the workshops that she gave us. I found it really interesting the way she thinks about the body in terms of how to feel it and how to use it. The exercises that she taught us, I’m sure I’ll use them from now on in my warm ups, because they were great.”

– Sorin Prodea, LUDUS Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Alessandro Anglani

“The training proposed by LEIMAY is very interesting because it works on a fundamental aspect when we talk about contemporary art. In my opinion being able to recognize the artistic work as belonging to the universe of the game and therefore giving it two main connotations (the focus, the play for the purpose of playing, as an act of joy, and the LUDUS, the participation inside of a series of rules to success) becomes important when we define a performative act. The type of work proposed by LEIMAY has a very strong physical component, moving from the concrete control of your body to the enhancement of the imagination by abstracting the body itself. I remember as a moment of great frustration and fun the training that led us to imagine ourselves as very large and then very small, then to transform ourselves into a flower and go through various forms, opening and closing ourselves, until we drive an imaginary bicycle; all this always leaning only on one point of the basin. A great effort that helps to explore limits that normally would not be faced. Obviously everything that is dealt with in the training is perfectly consistent with the performance experience of LEIMAY.”

– Alessandro Anglani, LUDUS Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Yuri Ogasawara

“What I find fascinating each time I take the workshop is how much imagination could possibly be reached. I realize how I put myself in the limited world and forget the endless possibilities of existence. This workshop is to awaken such senses we already possess within ourselves.”

– Yuri Ogasawara, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Katherine Hreib

“LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive cultivated that mysterious chemistry that is present in all good relationships, both within and among participants. Ximena’s teachings quickly brought us into breath with cosmic imagination, enlivening all directions within the body. I faced myself continuously, witnessed my habits and boundaries, and through demonstrations of effortlessness was repeatedly dared to move beyond them. Together we danced the inner dance whose motivation is deeper than aesthetics, it is the dance that seeks multi-sensory physical and spiritual receptiveness and integration.”

– Katherine Hreib, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Michael Evans

“In CAVE’s wonderful and serene space (they have white Marley floors!!!!) in May, I absolutely loved attending Zack Fuller’s 3-day LUDUS Lab workshop through LEIMAY, where I experienced total body awareness that I had wished for. Thank you very much LEIMAY!”

– Michael Evans, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab – Zack Fuller Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Odeya Nini

“Leading Free The Voice workshop at LEIMAY was a wonderful experience. The folks that came were from all different backgrounds and it was a safe place for everyone to gather and explore their voice. The space itself, with its white walls, gave the feeling of starting from zero with space to experience growth into something new.”

– Odeya Nini, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab Guest Teacher, 2019

Testimonial – Justin Collins

“Zach Fuller provided a well-structured glimpse into his choreographic process. Even with attending only one day, I had a great introduction to his work and to the work of those he has worked with, such as Min Tanaka. LEIMAY labs bring me from 1.5 hours away, and I don’t know of anything like it in New York City.”

– Justin Collins, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab -Zack Fuller Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Claudia Tinageros Moncayo

“Nuevo espacio sagrado para explorar cómo se encuentra mi cuerpo danzarín. La verdad siempre siento cierta incertidumbre al empezar un nuevo reconocimiento de lo que tengo dentro. Vuelve a mi mente esa frase que debo ser honesta con mi propio movimiento y con lo que realmente deseo comunicar.

Mi cuerpo migrante ha sufrido muchos cambios y demasiada información acumulada. Siempre agradecida de tener la posibilidad de aprender y replantear mi trabajo como artista del movimiento.

Hoy empieza un nuevo viaje bajo la guía de una nueva maestra Ximena Garnica en mi vida, quien ya se robó mi corazón por su gran sabiduría y humildad al trasmitirla”.

– Claudia Tinageros Moncayo, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Katya Popova

“I had a great experience attending a workshop taught by Zack Fuller at the Ludus Lab. The exercises varied from Butoh-inspired body work to physical theater movements. I really enjoyed the space and atmosphere of the Lab and would love to participate in other workshops in the future.”

– Katya Popova, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab -Zack Fuller Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Joan Wada

“Throughout the Tadashi Endo workshop at the LEIMAY studio, I kept seeing and hearing new strange things that I knew in my heart were familiar. Instead of showing the audience how beautiful our movements are, he said real beauty came from the pain deep within ourselves. Instead of dancing a sad dance with sad music (which is essentially feeling sorry for ourselves), he said to be happy and appreciate our sadness, and the dance will come. This workshop has shaken me up from my roots and altered the way I experience my relationships. Thank you so much.”

– Joan Wada, LEIMAY LUDUS Performance Lab -Tadashi Endo Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Ron Wada

“The workshop with Tadashi Endo was an outstanding experience, challenging and intense, physically and artistically demanding! I was stretched to my limit in more ways than one. There were many unique exercises designed to expand movement vocabulary and help us to find that elusive space in between our previously known reality. It really can’t be put into words, but Tadashi was our guide, prodding us to explore and find something new in ourselves. I’ll never forget his teaching that “each movement carries a question that is never answered.” It was a privilege to be included in his creative process, and an inspiration to participate in the performance. A priceless experience! Looking forward to seeing everyone again!”

– Ron Wada, LEIMAY LUDUS Performance Lab -Tadashi Endo Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Rachel Austin

“Working with Tadashi Endo at LEIMAY deepened my understanding of Butoh in ways I truly hadn’t expected. I came to the workshop looking to reconnect with my movement in preparation for creating a piece for voice, dance and electronics. So I wasn’t sure what I hoped to get out of it except to increase my vocabulary and to be challenged. Tadashi surprised me with his very particular approach to Butoh; I’ve studied Butoh with several different dancer-educators, but had somehow missed the depth to which the form requires us to go in our imagination. I found myself allowing myself to move past mental barriers and to search for a deeper sense of movement, following my body and mind into gestures –and learning to trust that process. This was really what I got out of the 2 week intensive: trust your intuition and your body. I am grateful that LEIMAY took the bold step in inviting Tadashi to come and teach; not many spaces have the courage to invite that kind of work, which can both deepen and revitalize a performer’s approach. I think a key element of this particular intensive was the performance at the end. For me —as a long time performer— moving into the public eye was key after such deeply personal work. In a sense, the performance at the end allowed me to road-test what we had done and drive it home. I feel I still have more to explore, but I certainly feel the intensive was exactly what I needed.”

– Rachel Austin, LEIMAY LUDUS Performance Lab – Tadashi Endo Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Peter Sciscioli

“Returning to CAVE to offer a two-day LEIMAY/LUDUS Lab in Voice as Movement this January was a wonderful opportunity and a true joy. Having continuity between being a guest teacher there in 2016 to the present has created the consistency and familiarity that make a space feel like a home. I have been able to grow my teaching and research by working with new people from a range of backgrounds, ages and ethnicities, and to meet collaborators for my own creative work. To me, that represents one of the best gifts of living in New York and the welcoming atmosphere that LEIMAY provides.”

– Peter Sciscioli, LEIMAY LUDUS Lab – Peter Sciscioli Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Lauren Lloyd Williams

“I recently completed a 3-day LUDUS Winter Workshop at LEIMAY that was centered around the exploration of Hijikata’s Butoh-Fu. It was my first time at CAVE and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Ximena + Andrea were excellent teachers, very knowledgeable and regardless of our previous experience, made all of us feel very welcome. As someone who doesn’t have a strong movement background, they were very encouraging and reminded us it’s not about perfection, simply participation and most of all to have fun and stay curious. I look forward to attending their drop-in classes on Wednesday in the future and keeping an eye out for the ensemble’s performances.”

– Lauren Lloyd Williams, LEIMAY LUDUS Winter Intensive Participant, 2019

Testimonial – Jose Rivera Jr.

“Ximena’s Summer intensive in SOAK 2018 gave us the space to explore our physical limitations and the capacity of our imagination in relation to our bodies. Although I only attended for one day, it gave me the permission to soften back into my own practice and move again.”

– Jose Rivera Jr., LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2018

Testimonial – Abbey Klotz

“I enjoyed my experience, even though it’s really physically difficult work (at times)! It challenges me on so many levels and that’s why I come, but it’s also really fun to be there with the LEIMAY company. I learn a lot from all of you. I especially enjoyed the development of the string –from an actual string to an imaginary string. Perhaps that string took new forms in the subsequent days. I think I learned things from excercises that I can build on in my own way and capacity.”

– Abbey Klotz, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2018

Testimonial – Nurya Chana

“As a dancer and performer, I crave meaningful, critical, and rigorous work on embodied movement. Ximena constructs workshops that attend down to the subtle crevasses of presence, giving personal feedback and challenging lessons until the body finds itself changed in an extending space of shimmering, activated air.”

– Nurya Chana, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2018

Testimonial – Becca Loevy

“LEIMAY artistic director Ximena said the first class I took from her that each class would be like looking at one section of an elephant, and only after a number of classes could the whole picture begin to unfold. With that in mind, each class I’ve taken at LEIMAY has a similar quality, yet shifts vastly from large to small, slow to fast, together, apart, and many different forms of rigorous. Butoh has become not simply a slow meditation, but also a vibrant, pulsing beast that falls in and out of sleep while being ever aware. Each class is a huge step in authenticating and deepening my movement practice, specifically as a dancer!”

– Becca Loevy, LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive Participant, 2018

Testimonial – Theresa Magario

“Discovering that CAVE was within walking distance of my apartment stripped away all of my excuses to not come and see what was going on there. What I have met with –and still meet with– in CAVE is an astonishing, refreshing kind of education that I don’t think I would have found at any other performance establishment in New York City.”

– Theresa Magario, LUDUS Participant

Testimonial – Stephanie Lanckton

“CAVE has played an influential role on my path, both artistically, and personally. In 2007, I moved to New York City from Portland, Oregon to perform in the 2007 Cave New York Butoh Festival, with butoh master Akira Kasai, which CAVE made possible. From that point forward, CAVE has been a very large part of my life whether through participating in workshops, attending performances, or renting space to create work. When I think of CAVE, I think of fertile ground, a space where creativity, exploration and growth are encouraged. Since 2007, CAVE has provided a place for me (and many others) to study with butoh masters from around the globe, and to connect with local artists. I am so thankful for what CAVE evokes, which to me is community, cohesion and connectivity. Since 2007, I have performed at CAVE, both solo work and ensemble work. In May of this year, 2012, I will be showing solo work at the CAVE Soak Festival, which is a culmination of much of what I have learned through the many workshops at CAVE, therefore CAVE has made this possible. CAVE has been critical and vital to my evolution as a performer and person.”

– Stephanie Lanckton, LEIMAY Community Member

Testimonial – Akira Kasai

“‘Nobody’s Money‘ that is shown at CAVE residency program, is about connection between the body and the economic structure. In the insecurity of the economic situation in this world these days, I felt this theme of piece aroused sympathy from many in the audience. Also, there was so many participants of dancers in the workshop, and workshop was very significant work, because I could explore the possibility of Butoh with same theme of the performance.”

– Akira Kasai, Guest Artist and Teacher

Testimonial – Yukio Waguri

“Trust in human beings is the one I feel strong when I collaborate with CAVE. This is basic of Butoh and is connected to a variety of human beings. I think it is a strength of CAVE activities, and it is inseparable from solid will which is the sustainability of their high sensitivity. It is not easy to explore more broadly and deeply, but I can see the possibility in CAVE. New wine for the new leather bag. New wave of art may be born in this NY. I would like them to go forward without being afraid.”

– Yukio Waguri, LUDUS Guest Teacher

Testimonial – Yukio Suzuki

“It was a great experience when I had my workshop residency at CAVE. The best thing about it was the cross-cultural aspect because students are coming from all over the world. I believe this program has been seeding and soon a new generation of performers will come. For me, it was nice challenge to have workshop, creative process and performance together.”

– Yukio Suzuki, LUDUS Guest Teacher

Testimonial – Imre Thormann

“When I entered CAVE for the first time, I was very surprised to find the theater totally in white. Especially in contradiction to the darkness in the rest of the space, but after staying a while I figured out that it reflects a perfect power generation machine, creating art. A fruitful place living out of its antagonism.”

– Imre Thormann, LUDUS Guest Teacher

Testimonial – Julie Spodek

“From the first time I experienced CAVE’S Programs of classes and workshops, and community, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of depth, soulfulness, earnest inquiry, abundant creative thinking, seriousness, and professionalism to a degree that I had encountered almost nowhere before. Through CAVE my movement life and performance life were born. I was introduced to a new approach of movement, and “dance”, I was introduced to a new way of being in relationship with my body, and the forces of gravity, space and time. I was given the opportunity to be immersed in a crisp, and rich vocabulary of critical thinking, looking, seeing, hearing, listening and speaking and moving.
CAVE offered access for people to participate in experiential workshops, classes, and trainings with the very finest masters and teachers from around the world. I was given a space to experiment, and grow… a space to practice, a space to nurture my imagination and my body. After I came to CAVE, I never looked for anywhere else to go. I knew in my heart it was the best place I could be to grow my dance body and mind. I continue, now, into my fourth year, to attend and participate in the programs that CAVE offers. I have the highest regard for the work and the play that happens there. For me… it is symbolic of home.”

– Julie Spodek, LUDUS Participant

Testimonial – Mari Osanai

“Because of the CAVE, I was able to introduce Noguchi Taiso (Noguchi technique, Noguchi Gymnastics) to New York. And now, the co-director of CAVE, Ximena Garnica teach Noguchi in NYC. And this is great because performers from all over the world can intensively learn Noguchi at CAVE and Ximena can develop the technique further. The other director Shige Moriya is Japanese so, it was so helpful for me as well. I was invited to teach and perform at CAVE in ’08, ’09, ’10 & ‘11. There are two studios and I can rehearse a lot. I was able to create a piece for myself and also another for local dancers. The room where I stayed was also very nice and comfortable. Student at these workshops are very international- Greek, Canadian, Japanese, European and South American. CAVE is a place of cross-cultural diversity. I hope CAVE continues this program for performers from all over the world.”

– Mari Osanai, LUDUS Guest Teacher

Testimonial – Jayoung Yoon

“I am a video, installation and performance artist. My work deals with the perception of being present in any given moment. To stay fully conscious and present in the moment, I suggest the human condition through a discipline of patient meditative actions, and silence. My first encounter with Ximena was ‘Floating Point Waves’ at ‘Here Arts Center.’ It brought me to find the LUDUS workshop. Her workshop helped my flexibility and core strength through, breathing, walking, crouching, and rolling exercises. Our simple movements, to understand our body, became dance. Even seeking absolute stillness became a dance. It was a great practice for discovering my hidden energy and connecting with myself, and with others. It was profound offering for the physical introspection of the Self, and of intimate collaboration and trust. At the end, through training and improvisation, I was able to use all of my senses, and drew from my imagination, and it changed my perception of myself within the world. I recommend this workshop to anyone who would try to step away from the ego, find their inner voice, and connect with their core energy through body movements. I will look forward to doing it again, with deep appreciation.”

– Jayoung Yoo, LUDUS Workshop Participant, 2012

Testimonial – Veda Rouze

“My experience with LEIMAY’s community class was tremendously inspiring and filled with so much joy and wonder. After training with LEIMAY, I feel that my awareness and relationship to space and movement has transformed. I will continue to come back to class to explore LUDUS, to be part of a creative community, to question the possibilities of mind, body, and voice, and to take a leap into the unknown. I think LEIMAY’s community class is a beautiful garden of play that cultivates the growth of imagination and exploration—I cannot wait for Spring!”

– Veda Rouze, LEIMAY LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2020

Testimonial – Molly Seligman

“I honestly regret not starting LEIMAY LUDUS sooner. I’ve had a very positive experience with every class. Classes are both physically and mentally inspiring and at times, challenging. This is a very creative class where you leave your inhibitions at the door and exit your comfort zone (and I really appreciate that). The instructors rotate and are always high quality and approachable and I even made a new friend in class. Class is genuinely fun; I’m frequently laughing. Looking forward to LUDUS commencing in March! I’m definitely returning to LEIMAY’s LUDUS classes in March and really happy to do so. I’m not familiar with any other dance class/company in the city that provides such a baller deal: two hours long with high quality, creative instruction and choreography. Plus, the LEIMAY community is so awesome (many of the company members [including art director!] participate in and/or teach the class). Highly recommend.”

– Molly Seligman, LEIMAY LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2020

Camila Barra

Camila Barra, a native of southern Chile, is a passionate creator and dreamer. As an arts teacher specializing in theater and jewelry artisan, she seamlessly blends artistic expression with manual craftsmanship. Inspired by nature and her cultural roots, Camila’s work is dedicated to bringing ideas to life through art, exploring emotions, stories, and forms Camila is currently a LEIMAY Space Assistant, supporting the LEIMAY operations team while cultivating a sense of care for all beings at CAVE.

Xi Nan

Xi Nan is a social practice artist whose work integrates somatic performance and documentary storytelling. She delves into embodied movement as an adaptive, rhythmic, and sensory language. Rooted in interdisciplinary performance, storytelling, and visual anthropology, their practice examines the interplay of perception, coordination, and transformation in body and space. Through durational performance, documentary film, and socially engaged research, she explores themes of accessibility, adaptation, and lived experience, challenging conventional understandings of movement and presence.

Testimonial – John Seaforth, SOAK 2012

I saw the performance of Butoh Master Ko Murobushi and his company and the work of Ben Spatz.

I am most impressed by the dedication and focus of the CAVE Art Space and its Directors.

CAVE provides an excellent environment for presenting performance art – as a savouring of beautiful experience.

This is how cultural experience should be.

– John Seaforth, English Theatre Director, 2012

Testimonial – Laura Cohen

“I am consistently blown away by the creativity with which Ximena and Andrea approach and communicate movement. Classes are as mentally rigorous and inspiring as they are physically. I leave every week yearning to internalize more of LEIMAY LUDUS and to integrate its praxis with my life.”

– Laura Cohen, LUDUS Community Class Participant, 2024

Selma Trevino

“I will be re-visiting Etienne Decroux’s choreography “Washerwoman” and exploring ways to perform it according to my Brazilian heritage, investigating washerwomen culture from Brazil.”

Aya Hayashi

Aya will begin choreography for Okaeri Productions’ Godspell, which will run at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance February 25-27, 2022.

Melani De Guzman

“I’ll be working on movement research, fine tuning acting monologues, and planning my experimental dance solo film.”

Shani Bekt

“I would structure the time to further flesh out and solidify pieces I’ve started choreographing and explore making new works. Ideally, I’d also like to film my work to use for artistic grant purposes.”

Kristel Baldoz

Drawing further into her research between movement and objects, Kristel will be improvising with a variety of materials that are connected to her historical past comprised of farmworkers and export laborers.

Article: “The Illumination of LEIMAY’s ‘Becoming-Corpus'”

“They offer a splendid merging/clashing of movement and light in patterns that approach and recede. Garnica and Moriya have been artistic and personal partners for 13 years. Their intimacy shows in the way that Garnica’s choreography is structured, framed, and permeated by Moriya’s lighting and Moriya’s light is populated and articulated by Garnica’s extraordinary choreography. The integration of movement and light makes Moriya’s changing visual design the eighth performer onstage.”

“The work is about the interplay of the spectators’ perception and imagination with these seven bodies gaining presence in the light and losing substance in the dark, not about tricks of illusion.”

“LEIMAY here is searching for beauty amidst the detritus of danced memory (in ways that are in concert with the turn butoh has taken in Japan).”

“The dancing was beautiful at the level of control, execution, and body language, and alternately horrific or sublime at the level of theme. It was simultaneously a dystopic universe, the end of the world, and “nothing more” than pure movement.”

“Becoming – Corpus is a model of the conjunction of visual art and physical dance theatre.”

–Carol Martin, Richard Schechner, TDR (2014)

Article: “Revolt of the body in stillness”

“Through the example of LEIMAY’s Becoming Series stillness is theorized as revolt. It is a performative act – a radical form of action confronting the viewer as a body with agency.”

“LEIMAY’s Becoming Series manifest political commitment established in its reflexive dynamics that empower subjects in their stillness.”

“…the audience is absorbed by and enveloped in the enduring, exquisite, and grotesque stillness – we witness the body trigger will, memory, history, anxiety, and responsibility. The audience is invited to “become” together…”

“Through the mixture of voices, sounds, light textures, and choreography of high physicality, “Borders” seeks to shrink the gap between space and time in order to expose the ambivalence in the way borders are created, perceived, traversed, and dismantled…”

…”one could easily drift into meditative states of sublime stillness suspended in time/space.”

“The dancers are abstracted beyond their social existence, bodies stretched out in ambiguity, defying definitions; they perform both the power of their transformation and the power to let the body transform, where the body seems to disappear to reveal the space itself. Becomings achieves this aesthetically critical potential in the moments that propel the audience to confront our own attentive and affective limits. Stillness in LEIMAY’s Becomings allows critical and creative capacity for ethical encounters that emerge across space and time.”

“The aesthetic form and the power of Becomings creates conditions to sense, connect, pause, decelerate.”

“Garnica and Moriya demonstrate their ceaseless commitment to generating spaces where their dancers/choreographers and their audience are free to explore alternative ways of being and relating in the world. LEIMAY dancers’ physicality seems effortless; they perform deeply felt space of undisciplined movements and intense gestures to awaken us to what lurks beneath; we all tumble together in a limitless fall into the depths of our subconscious/universe.”

“Becomings offers the language of the human body, the movements and forms in all of their exquisite density.”

“Profound and absorbing through the intensity of their specter…”

“Becomings, thus, offers a critical choreographed space for the willful quietness and slowness to stress the importance of bending bodies and histories; to reinforce the importance of politicizing and archiving the history of the bodies that resist, bodies that slowdown, complicate, decrease production, increase revolt.”

–Nadia Zukic, Text and Performance Quarterly (2022)

Abstract: “More-than-human Movements: Trans-corporeal Choreographies of the Anthropocene”

“…Correspondences’ more-than-human choreographies exposes the trans-corporeal exchanges that both structure and biologically alter the performers.”
“Correspondences as a case study to argue that if we are to persist through the ‘horrors of the Anthropocence,’ we must not only stay with the trouble, but move through the trouble.”

–Angenette Spalink, Performing SLSA: A Roundtable on Performance Studies and the Field’s Dispersions (2024)
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 16