ABOUT US
Our Ethos
MOVEMENT IS OUR COMMON LANGUAGE
At BABEL, movement is our native language—a universal means of connecting bodies, stories, and causes. Our work emerged from a quest for belonging: the longing for plátanos in a new neighborhood and the desire to blend cultural roots with contemporary expression. We integrate magical-realism, somatic psychology, and micro-movements into each piece, infusing our choreography with raw storytelling.
Our stage works, along with our dance films, all center around one question: how can movement transform isolation into connection? With a focus on Upper Manhattan, our performances serve as living narratives—each gesture is a call to empathy, and each sequence acts as a bridge between art and advocacy.
Since our NYC founding in 2017, BABEL has used dance as a unifying language to restore mental health, develop empathy, and build bridges across communities. The company’s debut evening-length performance sold out its premiere, establishing BABEL as a vibrant force in the NYC dance scene. Under the artistic leadership of Cypriot–Puerto Rican choreographer Sarah Panayiotou Leñador, BABEL has expanded its impact beyond the stage. The company creates thought-provoking performances, produces dance films for social justice organizations, conducts embodiment workshops for trauma survivors, and offers mentorship programs for BIPOC youth in Upper Manhattan.
United States, No Me Conoces (2018)
Photo by Corey Hayes
Our Founder
Sarah Panayiotou Leñador
Sarah Panayiotou Leñador is a Cypriot-Puerto Rican contemporary dancer and choreographer known for her innovative artistic contributions and community-driven initiatives. Her passion for dance was ignited in her youth when a speech impediment limited her verbal communication, fueling her commitment to express universal truths, bridge divides, and amplify community voices through movement. Her choreographic work integrates somatic psychology, micro-movements, and elements of magical realism, designing compelling storytelling that blends artistic expression with advocacy.
“When I first left home to study dance and moved into my college apartment, my journey to find plátanos highlighted my feeling of not quite belonging. I was surrounded by students who shared my passion and curiosity for contemporary dance, yet I had to venture further north to find my ingredients: sofrito, plátanos, and the chocolate I melt for hot cocoa. The streets of Uptown made me emotional. Vendors greeted me with “mi amor” and said goodbye with a “cuídate.” Eventually, I moved to Upper Manhattan but realized that not all of myself had moved with me. My contemporary dance self was left behind or hidden within the walls of my bedroom. That familiar feeling of never fully belonging returned: ni de aquí ni de allá.”
“So, I found belonging within my own skin, allowing the stories within my bones to emerge. Through the exploration of slow movement, micro-movements, and somatic psychology, these once-dormant stories heal, shift, grow, and evolve. Drawing inspiration from the Hispanic tradition of magical realism, I infuse movement-based stories with elements of realistic fiction, crafting resonant performances that unveil the subconscious and deeper truths. In this work, we encounter both the raw and playful mysticism of our lived experiences. I create these performances for those who feel that a part of them is missing, no matter where they go.”