"Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?” was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1897 and depicts states of being. Like Gaugin’s painting, ISHIDA Dance Company prompts existential questions through dreamscapes that celebrate universal themes of our psyche—betrayal, belonging, loss, and love. 

ISHIDA Dance presents original ISHIDA poetic narratives as well as works by exciting new choreographers working with some of the most sought-after dancers (Houston Ballet, Ballet BC, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Staatstheater Mainz, and English National Ballet) from Texas and around the world. Choreographers premiere new works as well as past works that have never been performed for local audiences. These unique works aim to invite empathy and introspection to lead to greater kindness towards oneself and the community.

ISHIDA also provides free educational outreach performances and workshops to at-risk youth and underserved communities to cultivate and enrich appreciation for contemporary dance and to provide engagement opportunities with the art form that nurture self-esteem, collaboration, and social and emotional wellbeing.