Theatre and Dance

Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence

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Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence

Bringing internationally recognized contemporary dance artists to Colorado College.

Each year, the Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence program welcomes distinguished dance artists to campus to teach, create, collaborate, and inspire. Through courses, workshops, performances, and creative research, visiting artists enrich the educational experience while connecting students with the evolving world of contemporary dance.

About the Residency

Established through the generosity of Dr. Jere H. Mitchell in honor of his late wife, Pamela Battey Mitchell '58, the Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence in Contemporary Dance celebrates the legacy of pioneering modern dance educator Hanya Holm.

Pamela Battey Mitchell studied with Hanya Holm during Colorado College's historic summer dance festival and was profoundly influenced by her mentorship. Inspired by that experience, the residency was created to continue Holm's spirit of innovation by bringing nationally and internationally recognized dance artists to Colorado College.

Each residency offers students the opportunity to learn directly from accomplished professionals while exposing the campus community to new artistic perspectives, creative processes, and contemporary practices in dance.

Teach

Artists-in-residence teach courses, workshops, and master classes that introduce students to contemporary techniques, ideas, and creative practices.

Create

Residents develop their own creative work while at Colorado College, often sharing works-in-progress, performances, or public presentations with the campus community.

Collaborate

Students work alongside professional artists through rehearsals, discussions, performances, and other collaborative experiences that bridge classroom learning with professional artistic practice.

26-27 Artist-in-Residence

Rianto

Rianto performing a dance gesture with raised arms in an open-air performance space, with a musician seated in the background.

Rianto, Master of Dance, trained in classical Javanese dance from a young age, specializing in the cross-gender form of Lengger Banyumas, Central Java. He graduated from the Indonesia Art Institute in 2004 and has been based in Tokyo since 2003, where he founded Dewandaru Dance Company and Rianto Dance Studio. He also founded Rumah Lengger Foundation in Indonesia.

He has worked with a spectrum of international choreographers, performance-makers, and companies while remaining dedicated to his training and own voice for contemporary Javanese performing arts. Projects include work with Akram Khan Company, Korean choreographer Sen Hea Ha, Chen Shi Zheng’s opera at Shubert Theatre, Boston, and London Coliseum with the English National Opera, as well as Choy Ka Fai’s SoftMachine, Japanese dance company Pappa TARAHUMARA, Akiko Kitamura, Monica Lim, and Melanie Lane Australia.

Rianto adjusting an ornate traditional headdress and red floral adornments against a dark background.

Artist residencies include Attakalari Movement of Art in Bangalore, India; Staatstheater, Germany; deSingel, Antwerp; Nottle Theatre Company, Korea; NAFA, Lasalle University, and Maya Dance Theatre of Singapore; Amsterdam University of the Arts; Shangri-La Islamic Center and Honolulu Museum of Art; and Victoria University of Melbourne’s TrakLAB.

In 2018, renowned Indonesian film director Garin Nugroho made the film Memories of My Body, inspired by Rianto’s life. Since 2017, Rianto has been director of the programs Kendalisada Art Festival Lengger Bicara, Banyumas Ngibing, and Bisik Serayu Festival in his hometown.

Recent works include Hijrah, presented at Rising 2023 and deSingel, and Jagad, presented at Arts House, Melbourne. His work has also been presented by Medium Production/Keir Foundation, Europalia Indonesia, Indonesia Kaya, Esplanade Dans Singapore, REDCAT, Fusebox Festival, Supersense, and Carriageworks.

Rianto performing under pink and red stage lighting, framed by a large circular prop and another dancer’s extended arms.

In 2024, Rianto was a pioneer of 10,000 Lengger dancers for a Museum Indonesia World Record with the Lengger Bicara Foundation. He received the Cultural Award (Anugerah Kebudayaan 2014) as Pioneer and Reformer (pelopor dan pembaharu) from the Ministry of Culture, Education, Research and Technology, Republic of Indonesia.

Rianto is the founder of Rianto Dance Studio and Rumah Lengger, a foundation in Banyumas, Indonesia, promoting and preserving Lengger for new generations.

As Colorado College’s 2026–27 Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence, Rianto brings his international artistic practice to the Department of Theatre & Dance. His residency continues the Battey Mitchell program’s tradition of connecting Colorado College students with distinguished visiting artists and expanding opportunities for creative practice and cross-cultural exchange.

 

Visit Rianto's Website
Rianto's YouTube
Rianto's Facebook
Rianto's Instagram

25-26 Artist-in-Residence

Eiko Otake

eikootakephoto

Eiko Otake is a Japanese-born, New York-based movement artist whose interdisciplinary work explores the body, memory, history, place, and human connection. After more than four decades performing internationally as one half of the acclaimed duo Eiko & Koma, she continues to create solo performances, films, and collaborative projects that challenge audiences to engage deeply with movement and the world around them.

Eiko has been a valued member of the Colorado College community since 2010, returning to campus every other year to teach immersive block courses, lead workshops, and mentor students. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to dance and arts education, Colorado College awarded her an honorary degree in 2021.

As a Battey Mitchell Artist-in-Residence, Eiko invited students to use movement not simply as performance, but as a way of asking questions, exploring ideas, and engaging with history, literature, and contemporary issues. Her residency embodied the program's mission of connecting students with internationally recognized artists whose work expands creative thinking and artistic practice.

Visit Eiko Otake's Website

The Story Behind the Residency

Pamela Battey Mitchell ’58 studied with Hanya Holm during Colorado College’s summer dance festival. Her experience with Holm had a profound and lasting impact on her. The residency was established by Pamela’s husband, Dr. Jere H. Mitchell, in her memory and in recognition of the importance of artistic mentorship in her life.

Hanya Holm was a pioneering dancer, choreographer, and educator who is historically recognized as one of the founders of modern dance. She was a visiting artist at Colorado College during the 1950s and brought an innovative creative spirit and deep commitment to students to her teaching at the college.

The residency was created to bring nationally and internationally recognized artists to Colorado College. These artists introduce students to new knowledge, creative perspectives, and professional practices while building broader interest in dance across campus.

Artists develop their own creative work and share it through formats that may include performances, exhibitions, talks, class visits, and public showings. They also teach courses or other learning experiences based on their creative research and professional practice.

The residency gives students direct access to practicing professional artists. Through courses, workshops, rehearsals, discussions, performances, and collaborative projects, students encounter new artistic perspectives and build connections between their education and the professional field of dance.

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Report an issue - Last updated: 08/14/2026