Francisco Gella
What does legacy feel like when it breathes on stage? Choreographer Francisco Gella, director of Zeitgeist Dance Theater, discusses Lineage—a 42-minute work inspired by the artistry of Chimayó weaving. Discover how a human-scale loom, K-pop, and ancestral memory transform traditional craft into a living tapestry of community and grit.
Moving past the choreography, Francisco shares his "person first" philosophy, challenging traditional dance education to prioritize the human over the technician. He recounts a high-stakes dress rehearsal where chaotic, mathematically complex sections forced 44 dancers to abandon ego and find collective rhythm. This conversation dives into the "hard truths" of the industry—from the myth of social media perfection to the necessity of body inclusivity and maintaining a work’s original life force across new casts.
Finally, we peek into Francisco’s creative process, where he balances Filipino identity and the quiet clarity of Santa Fe to engineer deeply architectural works. We explore the upcoming Zeitgeist debut at the Lensic and his mission to build a fellowship pipeline for New Mexico talent. Tune in to discover how stripping away the noise of the industry allows for a more potent, biographical form of movement that connects global voices with local roots.
Image Credits:
1 & 2: John Bethea | 3 & 4: Audrey Derell
