Choreography
Xilopango
Concept, Choreography, Direction and performance:
Irma Villafuerte
Dramaturgy: Alejandro Ronceria
Performers: Jessica Zepeda, Nickeshia Garrick, Victoria Mata and Siwar Soria
Design: David Ariza (Musical Direction and composition), Sebastian Marziali (lighting), Abi Cudjoe (Costumes), Omar Rivero (Technical)
Research Assistant: Emilie Jabouin
Co-Presented Premiere at 35th SummerWorks Festival and DanceWorks 25/26 Season, The Theatre Centre
Upcoming 2026
MAI (Montreal, Arts Interculturels) February
Xilopango is a contemporary dance-theatre performed by a five-person ensemble the work explores intergenerational memory, migration, and matrilineal resilience through a Central American contemporary dance lens.
Named after Lake Ilopango—one of El Salvador’s most powerful volcanic calderas—Xilopango draws from six years of land-based research and personal history. The choreography evokes eruption, implosion, and transformation, reflecting the seismic impact of war, colonization, and exile on familial relationships. The narrative traces four generations of women in Villafuerte’s lineage: her great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and herself—each shaped by resistance, loss, and migration.
Surrendered Spirits
Concept, Direction and Choreography:
Irma Villafuerte and Nickeshia Garrick CinnaMoon Collective
Dramaturgy: Dedra McDermott
Sound Design: Brandon Valdivia
Multimedia and Illustrations: Alejandra Higuera
Live Music composition and performance:
Viktor Kei and Paula Sofia
Lighting Design: Sebastian Marzialli
Costume Design: Rachel Forbes
Premiere:
dance Immersion season 23/24
Double Bill Presentation with Pulga Muchochoma
Berkeley Street Theatre
Dora Nominations:
Outstanding Ensemble and Sound Composition
nudoDESnudo
Choreographed and performed by Irma Villafuerte
Direction and Dramatugy by Alejandro Ronceria
Performances:
Citadel & Compaigne presents: Night Shift 2020
Dance Matters - Series 1: A Woman’s Work 2019
Chamacos Dance Company Presents: Asteroid B-612 2019
image by Kevin Jones
desconocida
Concept, Choreography, Direction and Performer: Irma Villafuerte
Performers: Drew Berry, Justine Gines, Victoria Mata.
Video Artist: Alejandra Higuera
Music: Ruben Esguerra
Performances:
Digital Adaptation for The Fall Gathering 2020 presented by CPAMO
Aluna Theatre’s Camino Festival 2017: New works in progress by Latin American artists.
image by Kevin Jones
Student Work
gen Z
Choreography: Irma Villafuerte
Created with: Hannah Drover, Jamaica Fraser, Katie Samara Couchie, Devon Crewe, Jenna Bee, Brynn Keffen, Alison Viegas, Melissa MacTavish
George brown Dance Ensemble
Presented:
DanceWeekend Ontario 2020
Unleashed 2019
film
Siwat Piedra
Premiere at Aluna Theatre’s Caminos Festival 2021
My body, my land, remember…
Concept,Direction, Choreography & Performance: Irma Villafuerte
Filmed by Alejandra Higuera
Performance & Collaboration: Ana Figo, Jessica Zepeda, Margarita Soria, Rhoma Spender, Victoria Mata.
Outside eye & Mentorship: Santee Smith
Technical mentorship: Alejandra Higuera
Editor: Irma Villafuerte
Music by: Edgardo Moreno and Janice Lee
Special thanks, support and collaboration:
Nickeshia Garrick
Katie Samara Couchie
Karen Kaeja
Alejandro Ronceria