Wu Wei Arts
About
The Meaning of "Wu Wei"
The name Wu Wei comes from the Chinese philosophical concept wú wéi (無為), often translated as “effortless action” or “non-doing.” It reflects the idea of moving in harmony with the natural flow of life, rather than forcing or resisting it.
The name also plays on the homophone wú wèi (無畏), meaning “fearless.”
Wu Wei Arts: Storytelling through Art
Founded in 2025 by Emilie Anne, Wu Wei Arts brings narratives to life through dance performances by collaborating with artists from around the world. The company's first full-length production, The Lion's Roar, is a dance-theatre work that follows the story of Siddhartha, the prince who became Buddha. The work premiered in 2026 at Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH).
"I have been walking on the same path all along.
The path is to let go and release all which is unnecessary. To find again the beauty of simplicity,
to be in harmony with the laws of Nature and its constant shifts and rhythms. I wish to share the stories that have touched me deeply, sparked a new way of seeing the world, and gently coaxed my heart to
open a little bit wider..."
Emilie Anne
Emilie Anne tells stories through artistic narratives that unfold across dance, film, and poetry. A French-Taiwanese artist and Houston native, she is the founder and artistic director of Wu Wei Arts.
Emilie Anne’s training began with ballet at Houston Ballet Academy and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in NYC. Her artistic path later led her to study Kathak (North Indian classical dance), French mime, Chinese Dunhuang dance, and Tai Chi. She holds a Diploma in Choreography from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Awards and Accolades
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2025, 2022 Houston Arts Alliance Let Creativity Happen grant
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2024 Poetic Hope Prize awarded by Le Verbe Poaimer (France)
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2022–23 Dance Source Houston Ambassador
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2022 1st Place Imagine a Day Without Water video contest awarded by the City of Houston
Past performances
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Asia Society Texas
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Hobby Center for Performing Arts
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Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
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Schimmel Center NYC
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Wortham Theater
Teaching
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2025 Tai Chi Relaxation (China)
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2024 Certified Tai Chi Instructor (Taiwan Tai Chi & Wushu Academy)
