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Wanjiru Kamuyu: Fragmented Shadows

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October 9 - October 10
von der Heyden Studio Theater

Presented by Duke Arts Presents

Three performers on a dim stage. One is in motion moving their arms up and down. The other two performers are warching
© metlili.net

“An expressive mover and a talented mimic.”

The New York Times

In Fragmented Shadows, choreographer Wanjiru Kamuyu—joined by two dancers—gives attention to invisible stories evoking the personal, ancestral, and societal inaudible wounds imprinted in one’s body – shaping our well-being in seen and unseen ways. Supported by epigenetic and psychosomatic research, the three performers trace an inner, abstract, and visual journey—stimulating and evocative, mysterious and carnal—through a sensorial, contemplative, journey into the body as a tapestry of memories.  In Fragmented Shadows, dance becomes a practice of healing and release, transforming the body into a site of liberation. With evocative scenography, immersive imagery, and original music, Fragmented Shadows creates a powerful visual and emotional landscape where the body seeks to filter pain to retain only lightness.

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Pick-4 Packages are available now! Choose 4 or more performances, get up to 20% off, and enjoy priority seating.
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Single Tickets Available Tuesday, June 17.

Fragmented Shadows is supported by FUSED, a program of Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation.

Production Credits

Choreography: Wanjiru Kamuyu with Sherwood Chen and Elodie Paul
Performers: Sherwood Chen, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Elodie Paul

Original Music: LACRYMOBOY
Costume and Set Design: Birgit Neppl
Light Design: Cyril Mulon
Artistic Associate: David Gaulein-Stef
Producer: Dirk Korell
Tour Manager: David Gaulein-Stef
Executive Production: camin aktion

Co-production

Le Tangram, scène nationale Evreux Louviers
Le Quartz – Scène nationale de Brest
L’Onde Théâtre Centre d’Art, Scène Conventionnée d’Intérêt National – Art et Création pour la Danse
Centre Chorégraphique National de Nantes – Direction Ambra Senatore
VIADANSE – Direction Fatoumi/Lamoureux, Centre chorégraphique national de Bourgogne Franche-Comté in Belfort, in the framework of studio residences – a program of the Ministry of Culture and Communication and DRAC Bourgogne Franche-Comté
Compagnie DCA / La Chaufferie

Public Funding

Direction régionale des affaires culturelles d’Île-de-France Région Ile-de-France

Private Sponsorship

With the support of Caisse des Dépôts With additional support provided by Sweat Variant 

Commission Support

The creation of Fragmented Shadows receives commissioning support from New York Live Arts’ Live Feed creative residency program, which is supported in part by Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Partners for New Performance. 

Residencies

Compagnie DCA / La Chaufferie
L’Onde Théâtre Centre d’Art
CCN Belfort – Viadanse
CCN Nantes in the frame of the studio program, with the support of Ministry of Culture/DRAC Pays-de-la-Loire
Le Tangram, scène nationale Evreux Louviers
Villa Albertine
PS21, Chatham (New York)
New York Live Arts (New York City) CCN Belfort – Viadanse | CCN Nantes

Rehearsal space CN D Centre national de la danse, Pantin La Briqueterie, CDCN Val-de-Marne 

About Wanjiru Kamuyu

Wanjiru Kamuyu, born in Nairobi/Kenya, obtained a Master of Fine Arts at the Temple University (Philadelphia, USA). Based in Paris since 2007, she started her career in New York. As a dance performer, she developed a rich and diverse curriculum fostering her choreographic development and teachings.


Between New York and Paris, on international theatre stages, she worked with contemporary choreographers such as Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Robyn Orlin, Emmanuel Eggermont, Irène Tassembedo, Nathalie Pubellier, Stefanie Batten Bland, Bartabas and more. For musical productions, Kamuyu collaborated with Jérôme Savary (À la recherche de Joséphine), Bill T. Jones (Broadway show FELA!) film director Christian Faure (Fais danser la poussière) and post-modern creator Jean-Paul Goude. She was in the original cast of the Paris Production of Julie Taymor’s Broadway show, The Lion King.

Since 2017, Kamuyu has created three major works (two solos and a trio) plus adaptations for alternative spaces and young audiences. Her works have been developed in residences in France, the US and Ireland. Additionally, in 2020 she created her first dance film, La visite, directed by Tommy Pascal. Her works have been internationally acclaimed in the USA, Europe, Africa and Asia. 

As a choreographer, Wanjiru has developed projects for refugees with New World Theatre (USA), Euroculture (project for 65 young artists and 11 refugees from Sudan, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan) and works celebrating various communities in Europe and Africa.

Wanjiru Kamuyu’s Website | Instagram | Facebook

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© metlili.net

When
  • Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 7:30pm
Estimated Run Time
55 minutes
Where

von der Heyden Studio Theater
2020 Campus Drive
Durham, NC 27708

Venue Details
Ticket prices
  • $25General Admission In Advance
  • $30General Admission Day-Of
  • $10Students*
Notes

Pick-4 & Save! Save up to 20% when you book four or more shows at once! 

Duke employees save 25% on single tickets. 

*All high school and college students are eligible for student tickets with valid ID shown at event. 

Duke students and employees, Log in through Shibboleth to access Duke-exclusive discounts. 

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