Workshop with Noutnapha Soydala

09. September 2026

Dance Workshop with Noutnapha Soydala

Style: Lao Contemporary
Level:Professional/ advanced

About the Artist:
Born in 1990 in Vientiane, Laos, Noutnapha Soydala (Nout) is a Lao dancer and co-founder of Fanglao Dance Company. She began studying Lao traditional dance at the age of six during primary school.

In 2006, she discovered hip-hop and contemporary dance through a workshop with Lao-French choreographer Olé Khamchanla. Since 2008, she has toured France annually with Compagnie KHAM and has also performed in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.

In 2013, she co-founded Fanglao Dance Company to promote contemporary dance and foster international collaboration, including co-organizing the FMK International Dance Festival.

In 2016, Nout created her first solo work, *Kip*, followed by *Phuying*. These works toured in Laos, South Korea (NDA Festival 2018), and Japan (Festival/Tokyo 2019 and Akita Dance Festival 2025).

Her artistic residencies include the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris; the Monsoon Program in Belgium led by Arco Renz; SEA Choreolab 2018 in Malaysia with German choreographer Isabelle Schad; Mekong Cultural Hub in Taipei (2019) and Hanoi (2024); KAMPANA Dance Festival in Indonesia (2024); Dance Make Asia Become Universe "IN IT" by Sung Yong Kim with the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (2024–2025); GMS Artist Residency in Thailand (2025); Belalang CaoCao Collective in Indonesia (2025); and JEJU International Improvisation Dance Festival (2025).

Since 2024, Nout has been developing her second solo work, *90/Now*. The piece has toured at the Indonesia Dance Festival and was selected for Dealing in Distance, a traveling festival presented in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali. It has also been selected for the International Performing Arts Festival "ODORO-AKITA" Vol. 10 in Japan (2026), where she received a Special Jury Award from head judge Akaji Maro, along with Tatsuro Ishii and festival director Santa Yamakawa. She has also been selected to perform at the New Dance for Asia International Dance Festival, directed by Yu Hosik in Daegu, South Korea, in 2027.

About the Workshop:
This unique workshop bridges the gap between heritage and modern expression. Participants begin by immersing themselves in the foundational techniques of Lao traditional dance, focusing on the intricate hand gestures (*fon*), fluid posture, and rhythmic storytelling that define this beautiful art form.

In the second half, the workshop shifts into a creative laboratory. Using the traditional movements just learned — combined with each participant's own natural style and personal expression as "materials" — the group explores contemporary dance improvisation and co-creates a piece of modern choreography.

No matter your dance background, this workshop invites you to honor tradition while finding your own contemporary voice.