ANI TAJ is a director-choreographer and founder of The Dance Cartel, creating large-scale immersive dance experiences, music videos, films, new musicals, concerts, art parties and more. The New York Times described her work as “haute-performance theory with a house party vibe,” and her dances are rooted in the belief that dance can actually be liberatory and FUN.

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In 2019 Taj & collaborator Amy O’Neal co-choreographed Wajatta’s VR experience Runnin, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and won “Best Interactive” at SXSW. In 2021, Taj launched a giant and totally absurd immersive dance experience with longtime collaborator Sam Pinkleton, commissioned by Virgin Voyages - it now sails the seas year-round. 

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Highlights with The Dance Cartel include: Ace Hotel NY, PS1/MoMA, the High Line, Brooklyn Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Shed, OBERON (ART); TV appearances on CONAN and The Late Late Show; music videos for Yoko Ono, Reggie Watts, Shura & Vic Mensa. 

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Theater highlights include choreography for RUNAWAYS (Public Theater at the Delacorte, NY City Center), Good Men Wanted (NYSAF), and dancing in Tony-nominated Broadway hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. As a performer, Taj has also danced with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Reggie Watts & Tommy Smith, Les Freres Corbusier, Liz Swados. Taj is an Adjunct at NYU/ETW. @anitaj @thedancecartel (she/her/hers)