Fans of Roko Kawai may hardly recognize the dancer/choreographer in her latest program of classical Japanese dance where she dons traditional Kabuki makeup and attire: whiteface, wig and kimono. And there's that highly stylized Kabuki gesture, which is much different from Kawai's usual postmodern, improv-based performance. Also, Kawai's work to date has been inspired by personal experience, while these dances are based on centuries-old stories.

I had put my work out there, [I] explored a bunch of themes I was interested in, and then I decided it was time to find something that felt good on my body, that felt natural to my inherited physique, and to really go for virtuosity, she explains.

Kawai (pictured) studied Kabuki dance as a young child, and later practiced Kabuki drama in high school. For her professional career, however, Kawai preferred being a modern woman. Then, in 2000 Kawai saw a Kabuki performance by Sachiyo Ito, and that just sparked something. Soon Kawai was taking lessons from Ito, a master in traditional Japanese dance styles. Kawai says the experience helped her develop a deeper awareness of her body in time and space as well as ways to switch scenes, characters and emotions. She intends to incorporate this knowledge into her experimental dance. But before that, Kawai will present her knack for the real deal, in a program with her mentor, where the pair recreate four popular Kabuki tales featuring entertaining characters, including an avenging samurai and a sweet maiden.

Roko Kawai and Sachiyo Ito, Fri.-Sat., Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 8 p.m., $12-$15, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914. Japanese movement techniques workshop with Sachiyo Ito, Thu., Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $10 (workshop andperformance special rate $20), Painted Bride.Call Philadelphia Dance Projects at 215-676-1540 to register for the workshop.