About Rai

Rai Barnard (they/them) is a queer Dallas-based dance artist whose work dissects the role of identity and how it affects internal and interpersonal relationships. Their collaborative creative process is rooted in a passion for authentic storytelling through movement - balancing vulnerability, comedy, whimsy, and intensity.
 
They graduated from UT Dallas in 2021 with a B.A. in Performing Arts and a B.S. in Biology. Since then, Rai has presented choreography through Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Very Good Dance Theatre, Agora Artists, UT Dallas, and Garage Arts Project. They have most recently performed works by Jennifer Mabus, Dallas Children’s Theater, and Lyric Stage. Rai’s work ranges from immersive dance shows to musical theatre to interactive avant-garde concerts- exploring how various contexts and cross-disciplinary collaboration can connect more people to enriching arts experiences.