At first they may seem to be an odd couple, modern dance and kathak. Modern dance creates shapes that are born of Western thought. We think of Mary Wigman, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham. Indian dance, in all of its illustrious forms, predates modern by thousands of years. It is indelibly linked to the temples.

Shana Simmons and Naina Roy

We have seen Indian dance troupes try to expand their methodology, primarily Nrityagram, and incorporate more contemporary dance forms into their style. And certainly we have seen individual artists like Akram Khan (Bangladesh) and Sidi Larbi Cherkauoi (Morocco/Belgium) put their individual stamp on contemporary forms. But I have never seen two divergent groups try to blend their approaches.

Kathak trio

Thus we arrive at Naina Roy and Shana Simmons, who each head their own companies. Their meeting ground took place at Attack Theatre’s location in Lawrenceville, which will become the place to be in the future for similar groups.

Titled “IN/BEtween,” the piece was part educational, part interactive and full of joy. It was obvious that the two choreographers approached the project with open arms…and hearts. The aura of cooperation was palpable.

Roy and her three dancers primarily instructed the audience about Kathak through a rhythmic clapping exercise, storytelling and the use of the feet.

While that was their way of grounding, Simmons and her trio responded by weaving through, in and around their newly-adopted friends. They adopted a few Kathak-inspired movements, including finger-pointing and some new rhythms.

What was remarkable was how the dancers kept their own dance identities while venturing out into new movement territory. Even more so, the artists were viscerally happy with the exchanges, particularly since they invested in live music by Jeff Berman and Colter Harper, with original compositions by Berman and Hiren Chate.

As the hour-long piece reached its climax, there was a palpable energy filling the space and the combined finale took on a rousing excitement. This is the way dance should be — thrillingly in the moment.