Chitra Subramanian is an Indian American dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Washington, DC. A Pittsburgh native and originally from South India, she teaches, choreographs, and performs with the collective chitra.MOVES. Her aesthetic draws from Hip Hop and Indian Classical foundations to tell stories, elevate artists, and meaningfully engage unseen and new audiences.

Chitra’s work is deeply influenced by her 20+ years in youth education and community work, particularly with young people and their families in DC. Her projects explore themes of relationships, community, and the transformative power of institutions. Drawing on her immigrant roots and love for Hip Hop, Chitra’s creative process is shaped by strong community ties and a commitment to exposing untapped talent.

Recent works include TEMPLE, an evening-length performance that sold out at Dance Place, and LINKED, which premiered during her Atlas ArtsLAB residency. Chitra also curates and teaches the Rooting the Dance Hip Hop Dance Class Series, which spotlights the stories and talents of women and femmes in DC’s street dance scene while providing consistent, high-quality training for the community.

Her work has been presented at venues including The Kennedy Center, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Joe’s Movement Emporium, and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (Pittsburgh). Chitra has also taught at American University, University of Maryland, CityDance Center, and Arts for Learning Maryland.

Chitra is the recipient of the 2024 Gallim Parent Moving Artist Residency, the DC Commission Fellowship Grant, the 2024 Atlas ArtsLAB Fellowship, and the Words Beats & Life Toward 2040 Fellowship.