Bringing SKIN to Life at Sadler’s Wells

I’m Hsing-Ya Wu, a choreographer and dance artist deeply influenced by my Taiwanese roots and my journey through London. Raised in a family of seven, I carry a rich cultural heritage into my work. For the past eight years, I’ve been exploring movement and storytelling through dance here in the UK.

My journey in dance has been shaped by perseverance, creativity, and community. As an award-winning artist, I’ve been fortunate to receive support from 12 competitive funding bodies, including Arts Council England, Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, and the National Culture and Arts Foundation.

London-based choreographer Hsing-Ya Wu has been honoured with artist residencies at renowned institutions including Cité internationale des arts in Paris, the American Dance Festival, Taipei Artist Village, and Resolution – the UK’s leading choreography festival – in both 2019 and 2022.

Renowned for her exceptional ability to tell captivating stories through dance and movement, Hsing-Ya Wu creates deeply immersive performances that resonate with her audience. She thrives on their feedback, regularly hosting Q&A sessions and residencies to engage directly with viewers, understand their perceptions, and learn what they would like to see in future performances.

My works have left critics and dance enthusiasts worldwide in awe, earning widespread acclaim for their depth and innovation. Through my artistry, I strive to create meaningful works that not only captivate but also contribute to the cultural and artistic landscape, enriching the world with each performance.

I recently received an official invitation from Sadler’s Wells, confirming that my production SKIN has been selected to be performed at the Lilian Baylis Studio in London.

About the Project: SKIN

My latest work, SKIN, is a deeply personal project exploring identity, displacement, and resilience. As a Taiwanese woman living in the UK, I’ve encountered cultural stereotyping and isolation, experiences that have shaped both my life and my creative voice. SKIN reflects these personal truths while addressing broader global issues of race, culture, gender, and belonging.

SKIN uses the metaphor of skin as a boundary, one that can both reveal and conceal identity. It tells the story of billions of women navigating the pressures of society, drawing on contemporary dance to explore the emotional landscapes of cultural difference, femininity, and resistance.

Why Sadler’s Wells?

Sadler’s Wells is a global leader in contemporary dance, known for nurturing innovative work that speaks to today’s most urgent social issues. Performing at this venue is a milestone, offering me a platform to share SKIN with a broader audience, engage in cross-cultural dialogue, and grow as an artist in a space that champions diversity and impact.

This opportunity also enables collaboration with leading choreographers, producers, and creative professionals, fostering the kind of artistic exchange that inspires lifelong learning and meaningful change.

We’re honoured that SKIN has been selected by Sadler’s Wells, one of the world’s leading dance institutions, for performance at the Lilian Baylis Studio in London.

Vision Beyond the Stage

Following SKIN’s debut at Sadler’s Wells, my goal is to launch an educational initiative that offers high-quality dance training and creative opportunities to young people from underrepresented ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

I also plan to consult with arts organisations on inclusive, evidence-based approaches to dance education and continue delivering public workshops, performances, and talks that advocate for accessibility, representation, and artistic empowerment.

Why Your Support Matters

To make this project possible, I am raising £30,000. This will cover:

This amount also accounts for currency fluctuations and fundraising platform fees. Your support will directly fund this production, helping me bring SKIN to life on a world stage and extend its impact beyond the performance.

How You Can Help

It takes a community to bring a project like SKIN to life. Whether you’re able to contribute financially or simply share this campaign with others who support emerging voices in dance, your help makes a significant difference.

I would be happy to connect via my website or through email, phone or video chat if you'd like to learn more or discuss partnership opportunities.

Thank you for considering this project. Your support would mean the world, not just to me, but to the many communities this work seeks to reach and represent.

Thank you.

Hsing-Ya Wu

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