DHPCo’s. anticipated return to the live dance performance, The Tip of My Tongue explores how non-English or mixed-English minority communities in the United States use language and communication practices as tools for cultural visibility, perseverance, and connection to other cultures. The work also challenges the “This is America, Speak English!” mindset held by a dominant English speaking culture set on assimilation and erasure of non-English languages.

Director David Herrera, guest choreographer Antoine Hunter, and the 6 dancers all represent multi-lingual, bi-lingual, minority, and immigrant communities. This includes Latinx, Black, Japanese, Mixed-Race, Indigineous, Immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and Deaf individuals. Associated languages within the artistic team include Spanish, Portuguese, ASL, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanglish, and English. Featuring original musical composition by D. Riley Nicholson.

Extrapolating from their real life experiences and referencing the visible increase of language violence, the team addressed the following questions in creating this new work:
How do differentiating views come to an understanding when words are taken away and our bodies are the only source of communication? How is language instrumental in self-determination and community building? In the U.S., where and how does language, history, and identity intersect?

$18 Financial hardship and artist discount, please email us at admin@dhperformance.org for code