Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Alicia Díaz is co-director of Agua Dulce Dance Theater with movement artist Matthew Thornton. As a Puerto Rican contemporary dance artist in the diaspora her choreographic work speaks to issues of migration, colonialism, and the legacy of slavery. Her artistic research is rooted in the premise that the body is a site of knowledge, and on questions of memory and identity. Alicia performed professionally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Andanza: Puerto Rican Contemporary Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group (The Harlem Nutcracker), Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, and the Maida Withers Dance Construction Company amongst others. She has collaborated extensively with Puerto Rican independent dance artists Esther Nequi González and Marion Ramírez, as well as percussionist Héctor “Coco” Barez. Her choreographic work has been presented in the United States, Spain, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Alicia is dance faculty at The University of Richmond.
Director Statement
I migrated from Puerto Rico to the United States as a child and the culture shock that I experienced resonated through my bones. The most effective way I found to establish a sense of self was through movement and dance. As a result, I am interested in generating experiences through movement that can bridge the individual and the collective leading to a better understanding of our shared humanity.
“Entre Puerto Rico y Richmond: Women in Resistance Shall Not Be Moved” is a bilingual film directed by Alicia Díaz and co-created with dramaturg Patricia Herrera, dance artists Chrisitne Wyatt and Christina Leoni-Osion, interdisciplinary artist Luis Vasquez La Roche, percussionist Héctor “Coco” Barez, actor/singer Yaraní del Valle, and produced and edited by David Riley.
Experimental Film & Music Video Festival 