HOUSTON – The lights are shifting. Dancers are marking their steps. Cues are called. It’s the final tech rehearsal before opening night, and the energy inside the Asia Society Texas Center is focused, electric, and full of quiet intensity.
Houston Life was granted exclusive access behind the scenes as ISHIDA Dance Company made its last adjustments ahead of the world premiere of Inside My Walls, the newest work by artistic director Brett Ishida. Every movement, every beat, every shadow on stage is being refined in real time—because tonight, the curtain goes up.
The performance is the featured finale in a mixed-bill program running from June 12 to 15, and it promises a night of emotionally rich and visually striking contemporary dance. “It’s a mixed bill, so you’re going to see a lot in one evening,” said ISHIDA company member John Canfield. “I personally love that—you get a little bit of everything.”
At the heart of the program is Inside My Walls, a poetic, introspective piece inspired by the magical realism of Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The story centers on an introvert who finds comfort in the quiet companionship of a mysterious visitor living inside his walls. Through this surreal lens, the work explores themes of loneliness, imagination, and unexpected connection—brought to life with ISHIDA’s signature emotional clarity.
The full program features four unique works, including When Shall We Three Meet Again, which draws from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Horizons, a duet by internationally celebrated choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, known for his visceral physicality and powerful visual language. Also on the bill is Schubert Songs, a piece by Dutch choreographer Stephen Shropshire that leans into form and presence rather than narrative, creating a space where emotion lives in the silence between steps.
Founder Brett Ishida, a former dancer turned sought-after choreographer, has earned critical acclaim on stages across the country. Her work has appeared at the Kennedy Center and with companies like Houston Ballet, and in 2024, she was recognized by Dance Magazine as one of their “25 to Watch.”
“I’m so excited,” Ishida told us from backstage. “There’s an incredible team of dancers from around the world and across the U.S. It’s really a treat for Houstonians to experience something like this.”
ISHIDA Dance Company’s program runs through June 15 at the Asia Society Texas Center. Tickets range from $30–$90, with VIP options available at $120, which include premium seating and a post-performance reception.
With its mix of emotionally engaging storytelling, internationally acclaimed choreography, and just a touch of magic, Inside My Walls offers Houston audiences a chance to experience contemporary dance at its most intimate and thought-provoking.
“Some parts are emotional, some comical,” Ishida said. “But the hope is that everyone who comes finds something they connect with.”
🎟️ Tickets : ishida.thundertix.com/events/245091
🎭 Info: Ishidadance.org
📍 Asia Society Texas Center
📅 June 12–15, 2025