ABOUT US

At BABEL, movement is our native language—a universal means of connecting bodies, stories, and causes. Our work emerged from a quest for belonging: the longing for plátanos in a new neighborhood and the desire to blend cultural roots with contemporary expression. We integrate magical-realism, somatic psychology, and micro-movements into each piece, infusing our choreography with raw storytelling.

Our stage works, along with our dance films, all center around one question: how can movement transform isolation into connection? With a focus on Upper Manhattan, our performances serve as living narratives—each gesture is a call to empathy, and each sequence acts as a bridge between art and advocacy.

Since our NYC founding in 2017, BABEL has used dance as a unifying language to restore mental health, develop empathy, and build bridges across communities. The company’s debut evening-length performance sold out its premiere, establishing BABEL as a vibrant force in the NYC dance scene. Under the artistic leadership of Cypriot–Puerto Rican choreographer Sarah Panayiotou Leñador, BABEL has expanded its impact beyond the stage. The company creates thought-provoking performances, produces dance films for social justice organizations, conducts embodiment workshops for trauma survivors, and offers mentorship programs for BIPOC youth in Upper Manhattan.