Colors is based on Bulareyaung Pagarlava’s observations and perceptions of natural elements, as well as the interpretation of “beauty” by the young dancers who perform this work.

Bulareyaung is a well-known dancer and choreographer from the indigenous Paiwan tribe whose professional training with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre since college. He founded the Bulareyaung Dance Company in his hometown of Taitung in southeastern Taiwan.

Taitung is most acknowledged with its beautiful coastline. He, therefore, intends to bring the waters of Taitung to the audience. By sharing the voices and physicality of Taiwan’s indigenous people, Colors successfully transforms the stage into a beach by blue canvas. The beach was the rehearsal space for Colors since a severe typhoon destroyed their dance studio in 2016.

Bulareyaung Pagarlava, Choreographer

Bulareyaung Pagarlava is from Taiwan’s indigenous Paiwan tribe. His name means “happy warrior” in his native language. He started his dance training at the age of 15 and choreographing when he was a student in the Dance Department of Taipei National University of the Arts.

A former dancer with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Bulareyaung received a Performing Arts Fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council to study in New York in 1998. He was a resident artist at the American Dance Festival in 2008. Three years later, he was invited to return to the Festival where he created Landscapes 2011 ADF.

Bulareyaung was twice commissioned by the Martha Graham Dance Company, for which he produced Lamentation Variation in 2009 and Chasing in 2011. In 2012, he was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Taiwan.

Bulareyaung Dance Company

The Bulareyaung Dance Company (BDC) was founded in 2014 by indigenous choreographer Bulareyaung Pagarlava in his hometown of Taitung, Taiwan. During the last two decades, Bulareyaung has been invited on numerous occasions to choreograph and perform for various contemporary dance companies both at home and abroad. However, his increasing awareness of his Paiwan identity led him on a new path. He now focuses on his own mother culture, as well as explores the music, dances and traditions of other indigenous cultures.

Dance with indigenous natural voices from land and hearts differentiates BDC from other contemporary dance companies and also outstands himself from regional to international.