Dance Dialogue Focus on: Reopening New York Theaters
|
|
|
After the announcement in The New York Times that New York theaters would be given the green light to produce spring seasons in person, we reached out to some of those artists to ask "What is your reaction to this news?" and "What will it take for you to be ready to get back on stage?".
Andrea Miller, Artistic Director & Choreographer
Approaching the reopening of NYC theaters, we’re dearly looking forward to re-gathering together safely with our arts communities. At GALLIM, we’re using this time to think critically about how our return contributes to a healing and equitable environment for women+ artists. GALLIM is launching a major post-pandemic initiative to support the people who have been hardest hit: women+. We will be underwriting residencies for women+ artists in our sanctuary studio, hiring talented women+ artists in our commissions, and offering professional development programs and other educational tools with full scholarships. We will announce the details soon: Please sign up for our newsletter to learn about it! We will also be creating a sound and performance installation on the Lincoln Center campus to create a bridge for audiences and performers to create and view work outdoors. Starting small, returning to each other safely, is the way we will find our way back.
Kimberly Bartosik, Artistic Director/Choreographer
My reaction to the reopening news is a mix of ecstatic joy and terror! While I’m thrilled about our (re)emergence into the world of live indoor performance, my fears are connected to readiness and, of course, safety. Do artists have what we need to make sure our work is ready to be seen? How will our work be judged? Have performers been provided the necessary resources to bring themselves back to performance readiness?
To bring my own work back into the public sphere, I would need ample funding to support the time it would take to bring it back deeply and safely. In that time, we would also want to allow for the work to change in response to the world in which we are now finding ourselves. I would also need my performers to be fully vaccinated.
Joan Myers Brown, Founder
Since we only perform in NYC rarely, every opportunity is important to us. Having switched to mainly virtual performances, it called for us to “re-vision” a lot of or our presentations. Our company did some live streamed performances, but the live concerts are most important to us. We “in-studio” have maintained our repertory and also engaged in the creation of new work with hybrid sessions weekly. Although we had to turn down some “live” opportunities as we think it is much too soon to engage with attendees, we also think we are prepared to take work from the virtual to the stage once that is feasible. The cost to presenters as it relates to generated income due to limited seating continues to be a problem and will hinder some work without a fiscal sponsor.
Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer, Artistic Directors
'We are more than thrilled and ready to get back on stage! Because we live together, we have been able to continue dancing, rehearsing, and creating virtual events and dance films during this time.
However, none of that replaces the electricity and visceral experience of live performance for both the audience and the artists. We look forward to and are excited about the return of live performances. Of course it all has to be done gradually and safely. All good wishes to both presenters and performers."
|
|
Rapid Response Travel Subsidy Program Reinstated
|
|
|
|
American Dance Abroad’s Rapid Response travel program will be re-opened anticipating that invitations for international opportunities may be forthcoming in the near future. In conversations with international dance programming colleagues, there is strong desire to re-establish presentations (with social distancing protocols in place) and efforts to re-engage with audiences as soon as is appropriate. Thus, the next deadline for Rapid Response consideration is May 1, 2021 for travel as of June 15, 2021.
Subsequent 2021 deadlines (pending the decline of pandemic restrictions) will be August 1 and November 1, 2021.
|
|
Awards and Special Recognitions
Recognizing awards and special recognitions received by American artists both at home and abroad.
Click here to submit an award for inclusion
|
|
|
Announcing Inaugural Residency Recipients at Petronio Residency Center
The Petronio Residency Center recognizes that many NYC dance artists, and the field in general, are dangerously under-resourced. In this time of Covid-19, and in acknowledgment of the critical inequities in our field, it placed an emphasis on BIPOC, women, and parent artists for this round of applications.
Since 2018, Petronio Residency Center (PRC) has addressed the shifting field of American dance by offering on-site creative residencies through its award and partner-based programs. PRC is nestled within 175-acres in the Catskill Mountains. Awarded artists and up to four other collaborators receive a week-long residency at the Petronio Residency Center. PRC provides full room and board, stipend to lead artist, car rental for week, unlimited use of house and studio for a one week period.
|
|
Michael Novak Named to Crain's 40 Under 40
Photo curtesy of Crains
Michael Novak was about to give up on dance when his life was transformed outside a Chelsea theater in 2006. An alumna of the Paul Taylor Dance Company urged him to audition, saying the founder would love him.
Good advice.
Three years ago Novak was anointed artistic director of the modern-dance troupe shortly before its famous founder died. In the past 12 months he has been strikingly successful in keeping the 67-year-old company alive. To keep the dance company on the radar screen of students and supporters, he almost immediately pivoted to offering classes on Instagram and released archival films of performances. A virtual benefit attracted 5,000 viewers from 18 countries and raised $1.2 million, the second-highest total ever.
Now, the troupe is beginning to rehearse together in its Lower East Side studio and perform in theaters, although audiences still have to watch virtually while awaiting the day they can come back for live performances.
“We’re innovating faster than ever before because we have to,” said Novak. “Every generation has its own way of engaging with art. Zoom chats are a new form of community, and we have a responsibility to relate to our audiences.”
Dance helped Novak express himself in ways he couldn’t as a teenager because of a severe stutter that developed at age 12. Initially drawn to jazz and musicals, he was a late bloomer in ballet and struggled to find work. It took four years before he was admitted to the Taylor company in 2010.
Once there, Novak came into his own before the renowned choreographer summoned him to his apartment and, to Novak’s great shock, named him his successor.
“Dance can transform lives,” said Novak, who has stopped stuttering. “It helped me regain my ability to talk.”
Article by Aaron Elstein in Crain's New York Business
|
|
Registration for Cinars Web 2021
|
|
|
May 25-28, 2021
This online and fully customized event will offer opportunities to dialogue, debate while gathering together across four days. The conference will consist of round table discussions, pitch sessions (both tour-ready and work-in-progress), a virtual exhibition hall, and a speed-networking system, facilitating those chance encounters.
|
|
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Visit American Dance Abroad's Events & Opportunities page for all the latest deadlines. Contact communications@americandanceabroad.org to submit an opportunity for inclusion.
|
|
|
|
|
Citofonare PimOff
Open Call for Residency Program
Due: April 30, 2021
Learn more
|
|
|
Prospettiva Danza Teatro International
Open Call for Festival Applications
Due May 10, 2021
Learn more
|
|
|
|
Copenhagen International Choreography Competition
Open Call for Submissions
Due: May 1, 2021
Learn More
|
|
|
Casa Na Ilha
Residency Program
Rolling Applications
Learn more
|
|
|
|
International Contemporary Dance Festival of Mexico City
Open Call for Festival Applications
Due: August 31, 2021
Learn more
|
|
|
Nice Dance Film Festival
Open Call for Video Submissions
Due June 21, 2021
Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
