A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind)
Premieres 2026, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Performances, McGuire Stage: May 14–16, 2026 [GET TICKETS]
Exhibition, Burnet Gallery: February 12–July 5, 2026 [GET TICKETS]
Created by transdisciplinary and dance artist Rosy Simas (Seneca Nation of Indians, Heron clan), A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind) is a dance work, an installation, and a community engagement project. From Simas’ movement practice of deep listening to the earth, stars, ancestors, and each other comes a dynamic Native contemporary dance work that draws the audience into a space of relationality.
A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind) weaves a mind of peace into every aspect of its creation—every stitch of the set, every movement, sound, and image is imbued with a “good mind” and a peacemaking state of being.
Simas’ abstract transdisciplinary universe rejects false dichotomies between the traditional and contemporary, the sonic and somatic, the visual and the physical, even the separations between life and art.
The Walker will present a related visual art exhibition by Simas. Community engagement activities will accompany the performances and exhibition throughout 2026. These events bring the community together to experience peace, rest, and actively engage in community actions that cultivate peace.
Performers: Sam Aros-Mitchell, Talia Dixon, Charlie Maybee & Lela Pierce
Composer: François Richomme
Design Team: Heidi Eckwall, Rosy Simas & Jeffrey Wells
Production Assistance: Lelis Brito
Fabrication Assistance: Eliza Erdrich
Lead Access Consultant & Audio Description: Barak adé Soleil
Audio Describer: Sequoia Hauck
Deaf ASL Interpreter: Cindi Martin
Outside Eye: Tanya Lukin Linklater
All performances are ASL interpreted.
Audio description and a pre-show haptic tour will occur at the matinee performance on Saturday, May 16.
Reserved wheelchair seating is available for every performance.
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![Against a light tan background, a digital abstract passionately kinetic drawing of line figures embodies several dancers in shades of dark tan, black, and grey, at times still, gesturing, jumping or moving]()
Rosy Simas: Rehearsal Drawing
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![Against a muted grey background, a digital abstract kinetic drawing of line figures embodies several dancers in subdued shades of tan, black, and red, at times still & gesturing, or moving through space. The many figures are often layered on top]()
Rosy Simas: Rehearsal Drawing
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![Against a dark brown background, a digital abstract kinetic drawing of line figures embodies several dancers in shades of tan, black, white and brown, at times poised or moving through space. The many figures are often layered on top of each other.]()
Rosy Simas: Rehearsal Drawing
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Rosy Simas: Corn
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Rosy Simas: Salt Bottle and Salt
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![Against a dark grey background, a digital abstract kinetic drawing of line figures embodies several dancers in shades of tan, black, white and brown, at times poised or moving through space. The many figures are often layered on top of each other.]()
Rosy Simas: Rehearsal Drawing
Support for A:gajë:gwah dësa'nigöëwë:nye:' (i hope it will stir your mind) is provided by the Mellon Foundation, Good Relatives Collaborative, National Performance Network’s Creation Fund and Documentation & Storytelling Initiative, the Map Fund, and the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.
A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind) is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind) co-commissioned by the Walker Art Center and Jacob’s Pillow.
Rosy Simas is a 2023 Doris Duke Artist.
