Provocations for Asian diaspora dance

The Asian American Chinese dance social justice choreography of Kerry Lee and Atlanta Chinese Dance Company

Abstract

In 2019, dancer, choreographer, and Atlanta Chinese Dance Company co-artistic director Kerry Lee staged her autobiographical mini Chinese dance drama Ribbon Dance of Empowerment: Chinese Dance through the Eyes of an American, which dealt with her personal journey of self-acceptance as a Chinese American. Following this, she has since created four other works addressing Asian American themes through Chinese dance: Together: Yingge and Hip Hop Unite (2021), Rising Against Asian Hate (2023), White Collar Wuxia (2024), and Votes for Women (2026). Drawing on viewings of these works, program notes and other public writings, interviews with Lee, and scholarship in Asian diaspora dance studies, this essay examines the significance of these productions as Asian American Chinese Dance social justice choreography.