Dorchel Haqq
Dorchel creates physical theatre work as a vessel through which she and her collaborators navigate the complexities of being who they are in this present moment, while reflecting on how their collective history shape their future. Through improvisation, Dorchel shapes memories into movement, a world-building practice, creating stories, characters, and set designs that explore time, space, and form in conversation with sociopolitical responses in the nervous system. Rooted in curiosity, Dorchel’s practice cultivates a sustainable ecosystem centering black culture with a deep value in care and trust between the body and space.
The following organizations have supported Dorchel in find herself again and again through singular and collaborative investigations: Springboard Danse and the Springboard Danse curated Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation Founder’s Residency (inaugural resident), Gallim Moving Artist(inaugural resident), Leimay Incubator AIR 2021, Center for Performance Research AIR 2024, Baryshnikov Arts Center AIR 2024, Triskelion Arts 2019+2026, Beyond the Black Box 2021+2023, Black Aesthetics Judson Commons 2024, MADE BY WOMAN Festival 2023, Estrogenius Festival 2025, Arts On Site 2019+2021, ART CAKE 2021, Movement Research Van Lier Artist of Color Fellow 2025, DraftWork- Danspace Project 2025, Battery Dance Festival 2020+2025, New York Live Arts, City Artist Corps Grant 2021, and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant 2024.
Raised in Harlem, Dorchel began my journey embodying history at LaRocque Bey School of Dance Theatre and the Dance Theater of Harlem. Dorchel studied at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and received her BFA from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, SUNY. Dorchel has performed with AIM by Kyle Abraham, Kayla Farrish, Loni Landon, Vanessa Goodman, Maya Lee-Parritz, Stefanie Batten Bland, Johannes Wieland, Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More Shanghai, and Emursive’s Life and Trust. Dorchel is in her first season with David Dorfman Dance. Through her 2025 Movement Research Van Lier Artist of Color Fellowship, she was mentored by Nora Chipaumire. Dorchel is a 2025/26 New York Live Arts Fresh Tracks Resident.
