Community Dance Discussion

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Upcoming Performances to Look For

-Natalie Johnson Dance, two upcoming performances within the next six months and one more project in process.

-Callie, June 20 at Studio at 550 double bill with Violet Nox both studio and rooftop.

A Need to Cross Worlds

-There are many artists and disciplines with the ability and interest to blend/work with dancers/dance artists. Are we as dance makers aware of the opportunity and interest when it comes to collaborations with other artists?

-Is there funding to support interdisciplinary work?

-Interdisciplinary residency?

Where Are The Full (evening length) Works?

            -The current dance climate does not support full works, instead we see many opportunities for companies or makers to come together in a sharing of fifteen minute pieces. While this is a great way to share audience and help expand the audience for other companies/makers, as dance artists who see dance, those of us at the table are not thrilled with the layout. We find we don’t get enough of each company, and have to switch gears from one piece to another too quickly. By the end of a shared performance, we find work gets lost among other works.

-Venue support is a problem. Without the medium sized venue, evening length works are hard to support.

-There are many factors which make it difficult for an evening length work to exist. One being the lack of medium sized venues which would make it financially viable for a local company to produce an evening length work. Many companies can not afford the larger venues and when using a smaller venue, doesn’t allow for the number of audience members to support the cost.

-There is also the issue of Production team. In many cases the dance community has been spoiled by exceptional lighting designers who have taken on the role of production designer, stage manager, house manager, and tech crew. These individuals have done the job of many to support a production therefore changing the expectation and setting a president that it is normal for one individual to play the role of many, which is not, and should not be the case.

-When a Production team is not available, what seems to be happening is that dancers/performers are then asked to pick up the slack and run their own music, or projection, etc. In many cases the performers also end up picking up the slack, and doing production jobs for free.

-Is there a way, within our community to support each other in the form of Production team, getting paid a stipend, so that productions can run smoothly and the maker and dancers are not taxed with the job of being tech and performers at the same time? Can we create a network of support among us? How does this effect our community?

Is There Funding Available For Full Length Work?

            What Kind Of Support Is Needed For Full Length Work?

            -Production team.

-Funding.

-Medium sized venues, with sight lines supporting dance performance, so that dance in the theater does not have to be treated as site specific work.

What Are The Venues For Dance?

            -BDA used to have a list of active venues for dance. Does one exist now?

-Dance Complex, Studio At 550, BU Dance Theatre, BCA (upcoming), Plaza Theatre, Arts At The Armory, José Mateo (is this space available?)

Is there a need or desire among the community to invest and learn about production?

            -Is it possible to set up a network among ourselves to support the production of work?

-As a community do we need classes in lighting, sound, stage and house management? While there are professionals in our area, they are often too expensive for the dance budget (small/med sized companies), however the work suffers as a result of not having a crew/staff available. Can we support each other in this?

-Who is willing to show up and support their fellow artists in this capacity? While it shouldn’t be expected for free, can bartering or a stipend be offered?

            Pro-Series At 550

            – Pro-Series is up and running, and going well. Dancers are showing up and teachers/makers who maybe don’t have support in other places are finding it here. Also enjoying live music each week.

Family Friendly Dance Environments

            -Are there family friendly dance environments for dancers who are also parents? What is available for dancers with kids?

-Many parents who are also dancers lack the support and fear the distraction to others when it comes to bringing their child to class with them, this often prevents dancers from showing up, who otherwise would.

-Is the dance community supporting new parents?

-Is there support for artist with children?

-Can grant money or funding contribute to childcare for those artist who are also parents?

-Are there, or what are, the opportunities as far as residencies for artists with young children?

-Kate Digby, known to some in the community as an advocate for artists with children, she may be a good source to connect with.

-Why are we not talking about the childcare issue among artists?

-Why does there seem to be a choice between parenthood and artist development/investment?

Location Change

-Future meetings happening at Andala, time adjustment to 11:00-12:40 to allow for guests to transition to Pro-Series classes at Studio at 550.