Nick M. Daniels

Founder, Choreographer, Performer

Considered to be a Pittsburgh pioneer in exploring race and sexual identity, Nick M. Daniels is the founding Artistic Director of the D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble (Dancers Against Normal Actions) which he started in 1991 after attaining his BFA in Dance from Slippery Rock University. He reemerged after a 20+ years hiatus. Since returning in 2016. His choreographic style is inspired by African, modern global movements, and contemporary styles based on pure raw emotion. His creativity often entices the use of self-realized soundscapes and video imagery. Through the years he has continuously developed and has toured nationally and abroad to attain favorable reviews, awards grants, and accolades including The FRESHWORKS Residency in 2023, The Young- Howse Theater Award for Movement Artist of the Year, A work commissioned by Nandanik Dance and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Preserving Diverse Cultures Grant. 2024 Brings continued opportunities to local communities, across the country, Europe, Central and South America.

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"As an artist, I choose to conquer and confront issues relevant to and present in my life and our society. Issues such as racial injustices, political contradictions, sexual stigmas and phobias often created as a result of media misrepresentation of Black men, LGBTQIA+ and those who identify and relate. These subjects scratch the surface, but do not serve as a limitation. From a young age I've been fascinated with surrealistic qualities within pop culture, computer generated music and expressing ideas and emotion through movement. After extensive training and apprenticeships with some of the most noted and influential choreographers at that time, founding and forming my company The D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble (Dancers Against Normal Actions) and attaining my B. A. in Dance from Slippery Rock University, I began to hone in on my skills and interests to create my own signature style of work blending my choreography; drawing from my training in Butoh, African , modern and contemporary dance and incorporate self-realized electronic soundscapes, video projections and elements of theater; always drawing from pure raw emotion and musicality.

After a 20 plus year hiatus I have re-emerged embracing the advancements in technology and in noticing the changes in civility, there is a different sensibility and a renewed commitment to honest and integral imagery. The premise of my work has not changed, but as I am going through the changes that life provides; my perspective has. As a multi-media artist there is an intentional focus on the relationships and conversations that are being had between the imagery, soundscape, performers, audience and viewers. By centering each of these components, I am now able to explore the possibilities into other mediums i.e. dance films, installations, photography exhibits to present the work in different ways to different audiences. My goals and objectives are to create and produce poignant, socially and politically relevant works that are a reflection of myself, being innovative, thought provoking, and prompting discussion and action locally, nationally and internationally." - Nick M. Daniels