Interview with Asha P.

Nova Dance welcomes a new General Manager!

Asha, Nova Dances’ new General Manager, shares her artistic inspirations and intentions for her role, with writer-in-residence, Shivani Joshi!

How did you come across Nova Dance?

I want to re-cultivate what I already know- which is my talent in acting/performance. I saw the job call, and I thought a lot about applying. Several people spoke to me about it and encouraged me to apply. There’s a connection there, because of my Bharatnatyam training, although it was rigid in its own way, because it was in the South Asian community in the Middle East.

What has your experience been so far?

This is a place where I can last. I love the routine of starting with a check-in. It’s so raw and so true, and ultimately, we are all human. The interview process was compassionate; it reminded me of how we can deal with humanity and move away from robotic corporate environments.

What do you hope to receive from the Nova Dance community?

Compassion, understanding, and encouragement, and the knowledge that we are all different human beings. The space and the freedom to collaborate and work together, while also creating a structure. I want to make sure that we are working towards the same goal, but we are all different threads. I want us to be able to create a beautiful brocade of work. I want us all to grow together, to discuss, and to continue to create.

What would you like to incorporate into your new role?

I would like to incorporate more team building and storytelling. That and some trust building exercises as well. Of course, my background being theatre, a lot of it will be improv and theatre-based activities, but I think that just helps a team stay together, especially if it’s a team that’s largely part-time and remote. It can even be sitting down together and writing a four-line poem. It’s just about doing it together.