Pillow Lab:
Peter Rockford Espiritu and Roberta Uno

Waihona Kino:
Peter Rockford Espirtu & Roberta Uno

Developmental Residency | February 12-23, 2025
Invited Showing | February 22, 2025

Choreographer Peter Rockford Espiritu, a “Kanaka Maoli” (Native Hawaiian), has pursued a paradigm-shifting movement vision for over 35 years; one that anchors Native Hawaiian and Pacific modalities and technique in conversation with Western dance influences. His vast body of performed and choreographed work centers Indigenous consciousness, narratives, and values creating an inspired Brown Dance footprint for future generations.

During this residency, Espiritu will develop Waihona Kino (Body Archive), drawing from his corporeal archive and the deep memories held within. Waihona Kino is Espirituʻs journey towards Pōhuli, the unique movement modality through which he has artistically reflected on the impact of what Oceania was, what it has become and where it is headed. In this dance, Espiritu not only pays tribute to Earnest Morgan, a mentor and friend, but also lifts up Morganʻs historical contribution to the formation of contemporary dance in Hawai’i. Morgan, a Native Hawaiian and African American artist, is also part of a long, but often forgotten or overlooked cultural legacy of Blacks in Hawai’i.

This solo project will be created in collaboration with Roberta Uno, who is a theater director, dramaturg, haumana of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine, and co-leader of the NYC hālau extension Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima o Nuioka.

Espiritu is a master practitioner and the student of foundational Kumu Hula, masters of Hawaiian dance. As an ʻōlapa hula (Hawaiian dancer), he is the progeny of the Hawaiian lines Ka’imikaua, Luahine/Puku’i/Hoakalei, and Holokai (‘auana). Uniquely, Espiritu is steeped in ballet and modern dance, having spent seven years in New York City, first training at The School of American Ballet and performing as a company member of New York Theatre Ballet, and for choreographer Ralph Lemon and others. Espiritu also performed extensively for Betty Jones, a founding member of the José Limón Company. Given his passion for both Native Hawaiian and Pacific dance, as well as modern and ballet, he founded Tau Dance Theater on Oʻahu in 1996. Significantly, it has endured as the only contemporary dance company in Hawaiʻi founded and headed by a Native Hawaiian.