WAA Showcase
Highlighting artistry across the field adjudicated directly by your colleagues.
Our juried showcase features artists chosen by your peers and representing the pinnacle of WAA. Since 2003, we’ve presented impactful acts integral to both onstage and offstage dialogues. Spotlighting proven artists, we aim to help you activate audiences as we collectively rediscover the power of the performing arts in uniting our communities.
Christopher K Morgan, photo credit: Uriah Roman
CONTRA-TIEMPO, photo credit: Tyrone Domingo
Dan Froot & Company, photo credit: Ray Shaw
Digging Roots, photo credit: Ken Jacques
Maryna Krut, photo credit: Riot Artists
Las Cafeteras, photo credit: Yulissa Mendoza
MOLODI, photo credit: The Comic Kid
Seffarine, photo credit: Cali Indermauer
Trío Guadalevín, photo credit: G Lappier
Yvonne Mantoya, photo credit: Yvonne Mantoya
NEWS & UPDATES
2024 Official Showcase Artists
The lineup of ten, selected by a peer jury of arts practitioners, performed at the Town and Country Resort on a hand-built, outdoor stage over two days — August 26 and 29 — as part of the 2024 WAA Annual Conference. Learn more about the artists below.
View the full list of past performances.
Christopher K Morgan
Choreographer Christopher Kaui Morgan danced hula as a child in California, far from his family’s Native Hawai’i. Pōhaku is a dance theater piece bringing together storytelling, hula, modern dance, classical music, and projection design to explore compelling universal themes in the story of Hawaii’s native people, including land loss and fractured identity.
Image credit: Uriah Roman
CONTRA-TIEMPO
CONTRA-TIEMPO is a Los Angeles based Activist Dance Theater company founded and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez. Through their unique and dynamic dance-theater work, both on and off stage, CONTRA-TIEMPO builds community, facilitates dialogue, and moves us to imagine what is possible in the world.
Image credit: Tyrone Domingo
Dan Froot & Company
Dan Froot & Company creates theater pieces, podcasts, and community gatherings intended to foster meaningful dialogue around hunger, race, gun violence, and other pressing social issues. The majority-BIPOC company is composed of six LA-based theater artists led by award-winning artistic director Dan Froot.
Image credit: Ray Shaw
Digging Roots
Digging Roots is a musical husband and wife team that writes, records, and produces music. They are two time JUNO award winners and have toured in Australia, the US, Mexico, Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa. They are a musical group that includes seven people and incorporate messages of hope to oppression, love to colonialism, the city to the Rez, all from a current Indigenous perspective.
Image credit: Ken Jacques
Maryna Krut
Maryna Krut (pronounced “kroot”) is a Ukrainian singer and virtuoso of the bandura, a stringed instrument unique to Ukraine. A Eurovision finalist, she often represents Ukraine at official events and performs for soldiers in the current war zone, and she has appeared at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, Andalucia Big Festival, Montreal Ukrainian Festival, and on other international stages.
Image credit: Riot Artists
Las Cafeteras
Las Cafeteras has developed a genre-bending sound & electric live performance infusing lyrically rich storytelling with the purpose of sharing the hidden stories of migrant life in Los Angeles. They’ve toured North America from the Santa Barbara Bowl in California to the Lincoln Center in New York; from the Montreal Jazz Festival to WOMAD Festival in the UK.
Image credit: Yulissa Mendoza
MOLODI
MOLODI performs a dynamic blend of stepping, beatbox, poetry, hip hop, and interactive storytelling. Using only their bodies as instruments, Molodi creates an explosion of rhythm from stomps, claps, snaps, and shouts that fill the stage as intricate choreography and interactive word play engage the audience. The goal is to bring a fresh perspective to the performing arts world using body percussion as a language to tell original stories of human resilience.
Image credit: The Comic Kid
Seffarine
Seffarine’s music lives at the confluence of Arabic, European, Jewish and West African cultures. From the 9th to 15th centuries these cultures coexisted peacefully, producing a seminal musical alchemy that influenced the foundations of both classical Arabic and European Renaissance music, a tradition kept alive in my home country of Morocco by refugees of the Inquisition.
Image credit: Cali Indermauer
Trío Guadalevín
Trío Guadalevín, like its namesake river in Andalusia, embodies the confluence of distinct cultural currents and histories. They draw Indigenous, European and African musical legacies into the sound of a single rushing stream. Mexico meets the Mediterranean with songs, stories and an incredible array of instruments from the Americas, Africa and Europe.
Image credit: Ken Jacques
Yvonne Mantoya
Yvonne Mantoya is a choreographer, bi-national artist, writer, and the founding director of Safos Dance Theatre. As a process-based contemporary choreographer/dancemaker, she is interested in the transformative places and spaces movement creates for dialogues and discoveries. Her work is grounded in and inspired by the landscape, languages, cultures, aesthetics of the lands in which she was born and raised, the U.S. Southwest.
Image credit: Yvonne Mantoya
PAST SHOWCASES
2023
123 Andrés | Music
Anthony Aiu | Dance
Ballet Kelowna | Dance
BEYOND BABEL created by Keone & Mari Madrid and Hideaway Circus | Theater
Eunbi Kim | Music
James Pakootas | Multidisciplinary
Javier Stell-Frésquez & Weaving Spirits | Multidisciplinary
LED | Dance
Letters Aloud | Multidisciplinary
Mamadou Diabate | Music
Moonfruits | Music
Tau Dance Theater | Dance
2022
Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto | Music
Leslie McCurdy | Theatre
Twin Flames | Music
Kiran Ahluwalia | Music
Huu Bac Quintet | Music
Versa-Style Dance Company | Dance
Telegraph Quartet | Music
Koresh Dance Company | Dance
The McDades | Music
Charly Lawry | Music
Elexa Dawson | Music
Elexa Dawson | Music
Julia Keefe | Music
Madeline Sayet | Theatre
Invoke | Music
Olivia Tailfeathers | Music
2019
CONTRA-TIEMPO | Dance - Contemporary
Time for Three | Music - Classical
Gina Chavez | Music - World
Royal Jelly Jive | Music - Jazz/Blues
Pamyua | Music - Roots/Traditional
Paula Fuga | Music - World
Collision of Rhythm | Variety - Theatre (New Vaudeville)
Tumblehouse Down | Music - Jazz/Blues
Seffarine | Music (World)
Nava Dance | Dance - Contemporary
Invertigo | Dance - Contemporary
Maura Garcia | Dance -Theater-Other
Thea Hopkins | Music
DDAT | Music
Timothy White Eagle | Variety
Albino Mbie | Music
ADAAWE | Music
DANCE IQUAIL! | Dance
August Wilson Red Door Project | Theatre
2018
Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV
Contemporary West Dance Theatre | Dance (Contemporary)
Aotearoa's Finest, with Maisey Rika & Horomona Horo | Music (World)
Derina Harvey Band | Music (Roots/Traditional)
Ensemble Mik Nawooj | Music (Experimental/New)
PUBLIQuartet | Music (Classical)
The Actors' Gang | Theatre (Drama)
Vitaly | Theatre (Spectacle)
Tambuco | Music (Experimental/New)
2017
Broadway Perfromance Hall in Seattle, WA
Blue13 Dance Company | Dance (Contemporary)
M-Pact | Music (A Cappella)
Akropolis Reed Quintet | Music (Classical)
The Westerlies | Music (Classical)
Collectif9 | Music (Classical)
EmiSunshine & The Rain | Music (Folk/Bluegrass)
Sarah Jane Scouten | Music (Folk/Bluegrass)
Nicole Henry | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Battle of Santiago | Music (World)
Okaidja Afroso | Music (World)
A Moving Sound | Music (World)
Letters Aloud | Theatre (Drama)
2016
Lightwire Theater | Dance (Contemporary)
Kiran Ahluwalia | Music (World)
Cambalache | Music (Roots/Traditional)
Miwa Matreyek | Theatre (One Person Shows)
Ate9 dANCEcOMPANY | Dance (Contemporary)
Telegraph Quartet | Music (Classical)
Michael Kaeshammer | Music (Jazz/Blues)
2015
ODC/Dance | Dance (Contemporary)
Niyaz Featuring Azam Ali | Music (World)
Bria Skonberg | Music (Jazz/Blues)
605 Collective | Dance (Contemporary)
Betty Bonifassi | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Afiara Quartet | Music (Classical)
evalyn parry | Theatre/Music (Experimental/New)
2014
Northwest Dance Project | Dance (Contemporary)
Jamie Adkins | Variety (Circus)
Run Boy Run | Music (Bluegrass)
Frank Ferrante in An Evening with Groucho | Theatre (Comedy)
Laetitia Zonzambé | Music (World/Pop)
Borealis String Quartet | Music (Classical)
2013
Las Cafeteras | Music (Chicano Fusion)
Backhausdance | Dance (Contemporary)
BODYTRAFFIC | Dance (Contemporary)
Fry Street Quartet | Music (Classical)
Matt Andersen | Music (Blues)
Red Chamber | Music (Traditional Chinese)
Sheetal Gandhi | Dance (Contemporary)
Tomas Kubinek | Theatre (One-Man Shows)
2012
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet | Dance (Contemporary)
ETHEL & Robert Mirabal | Music (Chamber/Classical)
Linden Quartet | Music (Chamber/Classical)
Lynn Trefzger | Theatre (Puppet/Marionette)
Story Pirates | Theatre (Young Aud/Family)
The Blue Canyon Boys | Music (Acoustic/Folk)
Vishten | Music (World)
2011
DALA | Music (Acoustic/Folk)
H’Sao | Music (World)
Koresh Dance Company | Dance (Contemporary)
Mike Garson | Music (Jazz/Blues)
ScrapArtsMusic | Interdisciplinary
Sybarite5 | Music (Chamber/Classical)
Whim W’Him | Dance (Ballet)
2010
Janis Ian | Music (Folk/Traditional)
Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir | Music (Jazz/Blues)
March 4th Marching Band | Interdisciplinary
No. 2 | Theatre (One Person Shows)
Portland Taiko | Music (World)
Robert Robinson | Music (Folk/Traditional)
The Second City on Tour | Theatre (Contemporary)
Yuval Ron Ensemble | Music (World)
Brasil Guitar Duo | Music (Chamber)
Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys | Music (World)
Josh Kornbluth | Theatre (One Person Shows)
Richter Uzur Duo | Music (Chamber)
2009
Alpin Hong | Music (Recital)
Andy Gross | Theatre (One Person Shows)
CALO FLAMENCO | Dance (Flamenco)
Cara | Music (World)
Cedric Watson | Music (Folk)
Corbian Visual Arts & Dance | Dance (Contemporary)
Don McGlashan | Music (Contemporary/Popular)
Indian Ink Theatre Company | Theatre (Contemporary)
Little Cow | Music (World)
On Ensemble | Music (World)
The Lost Fingers | Music (Contemporary/Popular)
Anthony Venisse | Theatre (One Person Shows)
April Verch | Music (Folk)
2008
AXIS Dance Company | Dance (Contemporary/Modern)
Cherryholmes | Music (Band/Bluegrass)
Faustworks Mask Theatre | Theatre (One Person Shows)
Kellylee Evans | Music (Jazz/Blues)
La Catrina Quartet | Music (Chamber)
Los Cenzontles (The Mockingbirds) | Music/Dance
Montréal Guitare Trio | Music (Contemporary/New)
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Co. | Dance (Contemporary)
Quadre - The Voice of 4 Horns | Music (Contemporary/New)
Step Afrika! | Dance (Culturally Specific)
Van Django | Music (Jazz/Blues)
2007
[ZØGMA] Collectif de folklore urbain | Dance (Folk)
Battleworks Dance Company | Dance (Modern)
Bearfoot | Music (Folk)
Calle Sur | Music (World)
Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company | Dance (Modern)
Janice Garrett & Dancers | Dance (Modern)
Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre | Dance/Theatre
Les Yeux Noirs | Music (World)
Polaris Dance Theatre | Dance (Contemporary)
Quartet San Francisco | Music (Chamber)
Quetzal | Music (Culturally Specific)
Salaam Ensemble | Music (World)
Scrap Arts Music | Interdisciplinary
Smuin Ballet | Dance (Ballet)
Susan Werner | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Tien Hsieh | Music (Recital)
Tlen-Huicani | Music (Culturally Specific)
Tom Rush | Music (Folk)
Yungchen Lhamo | Music (World)
Chirgilchin | Music (Culturally Specific)
2006
ADAAWE | Music (World)
Alpha Yaya Diallo | Music World
Beethoven's Wig | Music (Young Audiences)
Brasil Brasil Show | Music (World)
Diane Ferlatte | Story Telling
Helios Dance Theater | Dance (Contemporary/New)
Los Pinguos | Music (World)
Mary Jane Lamond | Music (World)
Montana Skies | Music (Chamber)
Peter Lang | Music (Contemporary/New)
Po' Girl | Music (Folk)
Rachael Price | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Rennie Harris Puremovement | Dance
Samite | Music (World)
Simon Shaheen & Quantara | Music (World)
St Petersburg String Quartet | Music (Chamber)
TAIKOPROJECT | Music (Taiko)
Viver Brasil Dance Co. | Dance
Ballet Folklorico Mexico | Dance (Ballet)
William Chapman Nyaho | Music
2005
3 Leg Torso | Music
Axis Dance Company | Dance
Cascada De Flores | Music
Danza Floricanto/USA | Dance
Del Fos Danza Contemporanea | Dance (Contemporary)
Del Sol String Quartet | Music (Chamber)
Genticorum | Music (Folk)
Kanata Native Dance Theatre | Dance
Los Llaneros | Music (World)
Marcolivia Duo | Music (Chamber)
Mythili Prakash | Dance
Otis Taylor | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem | Music (Folk)
Robert Moses' Kin Dance | Modern Dance
Samarabalouf | Music (World)
Tap Kids | Young Audience (Tap Dance)
The Cashore Marionettes | Young Audience (Puppet/Marionette)
The John Jorgenson Quintet | Music (Jazz/Blues)
The Lonesome Sisters/ Sarah Hawker & Debra Clifford | Music (Country)
The Wailin' Jennys | Music (Folk)
Wise Fool New Mexico | Interdisciplinary
Keith Knight | Music (Folk)
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet | Music (Chamber)
The Second City Touring Company | Theatre (Experimental)
2004
Alonzo King's LINES Ballet | Dance (Ballet)
Carla Kihlstedt's Two Foot Yard | Music (Contemporary/New Music)
Caroline Drury | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Christine Andreas | Music (Pop)
Company C Ballet | Dance (Ballet)
Daredevil Opera Company "Cirkus Inferno" | Variety (Circus)
Darol Anger Fiddle Ensemble | Music (Contemporary/New)
Hank and his Honky Tonk Heroes | Music (Country)
Homowo African Arts & Cultures | Dance (Culturally Specific)
Jake Shimabukuro | Music (Contemporary/Fusion)
Jesse Cook | Music (World Guitar)
Jim Gamble Puppet Productions | Variety (Puppet/Marionette)
K.T.Sullivan | Music (Pop)
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum | Music (Folk)
LEVYdance| Dance (Contemporary/Modern Dance)
The Merling Trio | Music (Chamber)
Moscow Nights | Music (Folk)
Rainbow Dance Theatre | Dance (Modern)
Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble | Music (Taiko)
SWARM Musical | Theatre
Tomas Kubinek | Theatre (One Person Shows)
Karin Plato Quintet | Music (Jazz/Blues)
2003
Alison Brown Quartet | Music (Folk)
Asha's Baba | Story Telling
Ashley MacIsaac | Music (Chamber/New/Jazz/Blues)
Cherish the Ladies | Music (Folk)
Curtis Stigers | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Diane Ferlatte | Music (Symphonic)
Eugene Albulescu | Music (Recital)
Guy Davis | Dance (Modern)
Helios Dance Theater | Dance (Modern)
Hot Club of San Francisco | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre | Dance (Contemporary)
Janice Martin | Dance
Jason Graae | Theatre (Young Audiences/Musical)
Khmer Arts Academy | Music (Culturally Specific)
Kitka | Young Audiences
Lee-Suits Duo | Story Telling
Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company | Dance
Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Lula Washington Dance Theatre | Dance (Modern)
Paul Rajeckas | Music (Recital)
Paul Zaloom | Music (Recital)
Perla Batalla | Music (World)
Philip Hamilton | Music (World)
Repertory Dance Theatre | Theatre (One Person Show/Musical
Ronald K. Brown | Dance (Culturally Specific)
Samite of Uganda | Theatre (Experimental)
Sun Ergos | Music (Jazz/Blues)
Tall Stories | Theatre (One Person Show)
Bradetich/Grove Duo | Dance (Contemporary)
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem | Music (Folk/Choral)