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Reena Shah is a multidisciplinary artist & modern renaissance woman who was born & raised in Livingston, New Jersey, USA. The oldest of 4 children, she is an accomplished stage & screen actress, professional classical + folk Indian dancer, innovative choreographer, voice-over artist, abstract visual artist and Cultural Ambassador. Reena is most recognized for her work in Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient, Nina Paley’s Award Winning Animated Feature Film, Sita Sings the Blues, where she was the speaking voice of Sita as well as singer + choreographer + rotoscoped dancer of the song "Agni Pariksha" from the film. Her Husband, musician/singer Todd Michaelsen, composed the music score & original songs for the film. Todd has also collaborated with Karsh Kale & Anoushka Shankar. In June of 2010, Reena had the opportunity to be a Cultural Ambassador and represent Sita Sings The Blues & teach Master Classes in Indian Dance for 2 weeks throughout Peru during the American Film Institute's Project 20/20 Tour which included 4 cities: Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, & Tarapoto. It was a true cross-cultural experience for Reena and the local communities involved. Reena Shah made history on July 8th, 2010 at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts at Midsummer Night Swing where she taught her famous Bhangra Dance Lesson to a crowd of 2,500+ people. Reena along with DJ Rekha and Sunny Jain's Red Baraat brought Bhangra Dance + Music to this Event for the 1st time in 22 years. Reena made her National Television debut with Conan in a comedic Bollywood Skit on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien." She has also appeared in comedy sketches on “The Daily Show” and “Lipstick Jungle" as a dancer and has choreographed for Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report. Reena was the Assistant Choreographer & a Dancer in the Universal Pictures Feature, THE GURU, where she taught Bollywood Dancing to Marisa Tomei, Heather Graham, Jimi Mistry, & Michael McKean. Reena's film credits include indie hits such as American Chai, Stay Until Tomorrow, Funny Valentine, and The Lucky Ones. She has also appeared in Falling Up and Spike Lee's Inside Man. She narrated Tami Yeager’s PBS ‘Independent Lens’ Documentary, A Dream In Doubt, about an immigrant story in a world in which patriotism has morphed into murder, when Rana Singh Sodhi’s brother is killed in America’s first post-9/11 revenge murder. Next, Reena can be seen on screen, playing the role of Chandini in ASHES opposite Ajay Naidu, who stars + makes his directorial debut. ASHES follows the story of two brothers whose lives are unraveling. As one brother plummets deeper into mental illness, the other, Ashes, copes by throwing himself into the community that consumes him. On Stage, Reena has portrayed real life gang rape victim, Mukhtaran Mai, in the production of Seven - Journeys, written by Susan Yankowitz and directed by Obie Award winner Evan Yionoulis for Culture Project & La Mama ETC. in New York City. Overseas, she performed in special performances of SEVEN in Deauville, France and London, England. Additional Stage Credits include Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays (The Public Theater/Desipina), Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues (Arthur Seelen), Nandita Shenoy’s Marrying Nandini (Green Light), along with notable staged readings at The Lark Theater Company, Workshop Theater Company, and Desipina & Company. Currently, Reena performs with her husband, musician/composer/singer Todd Michaelsen, and their full 5-piece rock band MY PET DRAGON, where she dances, sings, & provides percussion using a number of instruments including her Traditional Indian Ghungroo Anklet Bells. My Pet Dragon was recently signed to Gimme That Sound Productions and will be releasing their upcoming album, "Mountain & Cities" later this year. www.MyPetDragon.net Reena continually tours with DJ Rekha as a Dancer & Bhangra Dance Instructor and has performed with her at Central Park Summerstage, S.O.B.’s, Brooklyn Museum, Queens Museum of Art, Hammerstein Ballroom, the 2009 Wakarusa Music Festival, & the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. She also works with Sunny Jain & Red Baraat as a Dance Educator & Demonstrator. Reena was a Principal Dancer in Noemie LaFrance’s AGORA II, a site-specific dance project inside the abandoned McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her solo work was also accepted into Chashama's Oasis Dance Festival and she has been featured in music videos for the Sugababes & Electric Kulintang's Cotabato City. Reena graduated from the Padmini Institute of Fine Arts, where she studied Bharata Natyam, an Indian Classical Dance Form, under The Late Guru Padmini Ramachandran, a renowned Indian Actress & Dancer. Reena holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies with a Concentration in Mass Media & Society from New York University. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA, & ACTORS' EQUITY. Reena continues to perform & teach Interactive Indian Dance Workshops for all ages at Museums, Cultural Events, Universities, Music + Film Festivals throughout the country & worldwide. She specializes in the Bharata Natyam, Garba + Raas, Bhangra, & Bollywood Dance Styles and also combining these styles with American Dance Movement. She is excited to share her love of dance with the world. Reena has raised funds for non-profit Arts Organizations such as New York City Opera & The Philadelphia Orchestra. She has interned in the Talent Relations & Awards Department at Showtime Networks, Inc & in the Public Relations Department at Comedy Central. She also worked as an Audience Recruiter & Audience Page at The Late Show with David Letterman. She continues to paint & draw in her spare time inspired by her travels and will continue to tell the stories of all of our lives through music, art, dance, film, theater & writing. Reena's Life Mantra: "Rock on with Peace Love Respect Always. Make Art + Support Art." Website: www.DancingReena.com Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DancingReena IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787470/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
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