BAIRA is a Detroit based dance-theatre company under the artistic direction of Shaina and Bryan Baira. BAIRA creates and presents a harmony of gripping performance work, social consciousness, and artistic innovation; cultivating dialogue around the intricacy and intimacy of the human experience. Our unique approach to movement is rooted in exhilarating athleticism, refined sensitivity, and a deeply evocative theatricality. We share BAIRA Movement Philosophy through performances at home and abroad, in community outreach and development programs and by providing movement education and dance training for students of all levels, ages, and abilities.
HISTORY
Shaina and Bryan began working together in 2014 when their premiere collaboration, "Bench Duet", was selected as the DanceNOW at Joe's Pub "Audience Choice Award" Challenge Winner. From 2015-16 they were East Village Dance Project (NYC) Company in Residence and received the Laban Institute of Movement Studies - Atelier Award. From 2016-18 Shaina and Bryan were chosen to participate in Pentacle's 2-year research and artist capacity-building program, "Administrative Resource Team (A.R.T.). In 2017 they were awarded a creative space grant by The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York and were Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace Program Recipients for the 2017-18 season. In Summer 2018, Shaina and Bryan were invited as the inaugural Dance Artists in Residence at The Wassaic Project as well as invited to Participate in The Watershed Laboratory 2018 at Mt. Tremper Arts. Shaina and Bryan relocated to Detroit in July 2018 and in collaboration with Wayne State University, have launched 'BAIRA Intensive Detroit' - Summer and Winter International Training Intensives for professional/pre-professional dancers. Since their relocation, BAIRA's choreographic work has been presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, The Bonstelle Theatre, Andy Arts Center, Light Box Theater and the Allesee Studio Theatre. As of March 2019, BAIRA has found a new home at Wayne State University as the Department's Resident Professional Company as well as Artist-In-Residence at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Detroit.