Year: 2016-2017
DanceForce Member: Gregory Cary
Artists: Bryn Cohn, Designated Movement Company, LaneCoArts, MG DanceArts, Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet, David Norsworthy
Community Partner: Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
Audience: 420
County: Dutchesss
Residencies are recognized as one of the most effective ways to consistently provide a productive and creative working environment for dance artists and their companies. Building on the past success of the Kaatsbaan UpStream® Residency Award Program and the need for residencies within the field, Kaatsbaan offered awards to 5 choreographers/companies for the 2016-2017 season.
UpStream® residencies are designed to support creative time for dance artists and the professional facilities needed to fulfill creative goals. The program focuses on creative needs therefore the point in the creative process is not predetermined or considered in selection. For the required final showcase audiences are notified that UpStream® performances may be final productions, works in progress, or experimentations.
Artists are given full use of the Studio Complex with one large studio available at all times, housing at the Dancers’ Inn and use of the Gatehouse kitchen. Space for site-specific works is available. A grant is awarded to each company to assist with transportation and expenses.
In the selection process all dance styles are considered. Dance companies and projects of any size are encouraged to apply and there are no specific requirements for artistic content. However, dance artists who require large space receive priority attention, as large studios are a featured benefit at Kaatsbaan. Work professionalism is a priority as artists are expected to utilize the facilities by working full days during the residency.
The selection process begins with a short on-line announcement and application. Review and final selection is by DanceForce member and Kaatsbaan Co-founder/Artistic Director, Gregory Cary. The UpStream® program is administered by Prudence Garcia-Renart, Program Manager.
Due to high demand and exceptional quality, 5 residency requests were selected for the 2016-2017 awards: Bryn Cohn + Artists; Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet; Designated Movement Company, Katie Rose McLaughlin, artistic director; LaneCoArts, Lane Gifford, artistic director; and Collaboration: MG DanceArts (Marielis Garcia) and David Norsworthy.
Residencies took place between March 12 and June 11, 2017. Showcase were scheduled for Sundays at 2:30 pm instead of Saturdays at 7:30 in an effort to attract new audiences and accommodate seniors and families. Ticket prices were subsidized at $5 for students and children, $10 for adults and seniors. Advertisements for each event were placed in a 3-county newspaper publication. UpStream® performances were also included on NPR radio advertisements, in Chronogram – a Hudson Valley monthly publication, and in the Kaatsbaan season brochure. To expand rural audiences tickets were donated to the Tivoli Library. These were distributed to Tivoli residents for a $5 donation to the library’s educational fund. The Library and Village promoted the performances through their web sites.
Company classes were offered to local dance students and open rehearsals were offered to the public. The showcase performances were diverse ranging from experimental improvisations to finished choreographed productions with sophisticated video projections, sets and props. All showcases were provided with theatrical lighting in the Kaatsbaan black box theater.