LPAC Presents Premiere of Mike Esperanza’s ‘The Evolution of Separation’ with BARE Dance Company, July 18–20
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (July 7, 2025) — The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY is pleased to welcome the return of the BARE Dance Company to its Mainstage Theater for the premiere of The Evolution of Separation, a new work by choreographer Mike Esperanza. Performances will take place July 18–20. Reserve tickets here.
Through a cast of thirteen dancers, The Evolution of Separation examines the tension between our innate need for physical presence and the increasing isolation brought on by technology. The work blends Esperanza’s signature physicality with visual storytelling to reflect on how we relate to one another in a world shaped by screens.
“Mike’s work invites audiences to reflect on the emotional cost of disconnection,” said Handan Ozbilgin, LPAC Artistic Director. “This piece is timely and thought-provoking, and we’re proud to present it on our stage.”
Esperanza, a Filipino American choreographer and founder of BARE Dance Company, brings a multidisciplinary background in graphic design, music, and visual arts to his choreography. His work has been presented at venues including the Kennedy Center and Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, and he is a frequent guest educator across the U.S. He appeared in a 2025 music video with Ariana Grande.
“The Evolution of Separation reflects how far we’ve drifted from each other,” said Esperanza. “It’s an invitation to return to what makes us human: presence, touch, and community.”
Founded in 2005, BARE Dance Company is a collective of artists committed to creating work that is both physically dynamic and emotionally resonant. The company emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and lived experience as central to its creative process.
Featured dancers in The Evolution of Separation include Sam Assemany, Tiffanie Carson, Clinton Edward, Sarah Housepian, Casey Kitazumi, Erin Love, Erica Magaru, Graziella Murdocca, Marc Nuñez, Natalie Parker, Katrina Juliette Quagliano, and Katelyn Yeskie.
Ticket Information:
- General Admission: $30
- Early Bird: $25
- Student admission: $15
A $2 convenience fee applies to each ticket.
Tickets available at lpac.nyc or by contacting lpacboxoffice@lagcc.cuny.edu | (718) 482-5151.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Venue: LPAC Mainstage Theater
Entrance: 45-50 Van Dam Street, Long Island City, Queens (see Maps and Directions)
Stay Connected:
Follow @LPACinNYC on Instagram and subscribe to the LPAC Newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
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The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), located at LaGuardia Community College, is a cultural hub that fosters artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. LPAC provides a platform for dynamic artists and storytellers to create, collaborate, and inspire. Through diverse programming, LPAC continues to support its mission of making the arts accessible to all. It is the stage for productions of the award-winning Theater and Music Performance programs of LaGuardia Community College, as well as works from partner institutions, including Carnegie Hall, Joffrey Ballet School, and the Drama League of New York.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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