Biographical/Organizational Note
The Dance Theater of Nepal, formerly known as the Raj Kapoor Ensemble, has been performing in the United States since its formation in 1996. The dance company assumed its present name in 1997 and became incorporated in 2001. The group's main focus is to preserve, to present, and to offer cultural instruction of Nepali performing arts to the United States and abroad. It is one of the first ensembles to bring the Nepali tradition into the mainstream. The group has performed at many nationally recognized cultural institutions and universities including the Smithsonian Institution, the Rubin Museum of Art, and Princeton University, and many others worldwide.
Raj Kapoor, dance and musical director of the Dance Theater of Nepal, is a Nepali native and a key figure in introducing Nepali heritage through traditional folk dance musical forms. Prior to creating the dance group, Kapoor was the associate director of Dramatic Art at the Royal Nepal Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 1998, Kapoor, along with Sherry Onna Handlin, collaborated and created a year-long festival which celebrated and highlighted Nepali’s culture in America. As a dancer, musician, composer, and director, Kapoor participated in numerous productions performing in more than 23 countries worldwide. Kapoor has composed Nepali music for many films, television, and radio shows in United States, as well as in Nepal and India.
Sherry Onna Handlin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute, where she also taught courses. Sherry always had a keen interest in South Asian culture and in 1995, after a trip to North India and Nepal, her interest deepened and she became more involved with Himalayan performing arts. As the project director for the Dance Theater of Nepal, Sherry has made significant contributions to the group. Her work as an artist became even more notable when she performed the sacred Buddhist dance of Nepal "Charya Nritya." Sherry has also participated in many events that showcase Nepali culture. In 2013, Sherry recieved the International Career Achievement Award from the Pratt Institute.