(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Sa Dance Company on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 7:30pm. The Sa Dance Company [Sa] is a pioneer in contemporary Indian dance. Comprised of an all-female ensemble, Sa blends the essence of Indian and American stories and movement to create a transformative audience experience.
Sa’s productions celebrate the rich tapestry of the Indian-American identity centering themes of womanhood, community, and the journey of the female spirit. They honor the past, reflect on present society, and pave the way for future generations.
By crafting a contemporary folk form, Sa’s performances transcend boundaries, merging both classical and contemporary influences to create a unique and distinctly Indian-American dance idiom. Sa’s work resonates on a deeply emotional and spiritual level, uniting and immersing audiences through the universal language of dance. The company has garnered acclaim, being the largest dance company invited to perform inside the White House. With sold-out shows across the country, Sa brings a diverse audience into the realm of performing arts.
Program: RISE is a love letter to the grandmothers, aunties, and mothers who, with unwavering determination and limitless generosity, continue to show the way and empower each new generation of women to nourish and perpetuate the remarkable bond of sisterhood that unites them.
A work in four movements that progresses through the life journey of an Indian woman; it encompasses the joyous aspirations of her youth, the tensions created by the expectations of society and the limitations of her circumstances, the strength she needs to recover from physical and emotional toll, and ultimately the hope that reemerges from channeling love, community, and compassion in a new direction.
Tickets range from $34-$81 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Payal Kadakia, Sa Dance Company stands as a cultural beacon within the South Asian community. Sa's name, derived from Indian classical music, signifies the foundational note of the octave, symbolizing its commitment to blending ancient traditions with modern narratives. Sa's work is a celebration of identity, community, and the boundless possibilities of human expression.
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
