Year: 2025-2026
DanceForce Member: Jim Self
Partnering DanceForce Member: Ivan Sygoda
Artists: Rik Daniels; Troy Lingelbach; Danielle Russo; Mark Schmidt; Jim Self
Community Partners: Cherry Arts Space; Circus Culture; Hupstate Circus Festival
Audience: 190
County: Tompkins

DanceForce Project 2025/26 took place in two parts including creative residencies with Brooklyn based aerial dancer Troy Lingelbach, and June Dance 2026 performances at the Cherry Arts featuring Finger Lakes area artists Rik Daniels, Mark Schmidt, Jim Self and Danielle Russo.

Troy Lingelbach is an exceptional aerial dancer and burlesque artist whose work blends circus, storytelling and acrobatic dance forms. Troy’s past work chronicles journeys of discovery within the movement arts as well as investigations of gender and sexual expressions. In August 2025, the first residency in Ithaca focused on updating and fine-tuning Troy’s signature work, “International Lover.” Troy was joined by circus, dance and theater performer Brin Schoellkopf who acted as dramaturg and outside eye, helping shape and finalize the ultimate version of “International Lover.” The Cherry Arts donated their performance space for the 10 days of the residency and housing was provided by Amy Cohen, director of the HupState Circus. The second residency was the first in a series of residencies in Ithaca creating a new piece, “Ecdysis”, which took place in October 2025, with housing provided by a local dancer and patron. Additional residencies were hosted by HupState Circus, one in April 2026 as part of a co-hosting collaboration with HupState Circus’ residency program at Saltonstall Foundation, and one in late June 2026. Circus Culture Ithaca provided studios for trapeze work for all three “Ecdysis” residencies, and the final work will be premiered at HupState Circus Festival in September 2026 in collaboration with Cornell Outdoor Education Program. The 2025/2026 residencies included three informal showings and two workshops, reaching 65 people.

June Dance 2026 featured choreographic, performance, and film work. Queer Culture, physical intensity, stories of grief and redemption, disability and triumph, were all rolled into three dynamic live solos, and one stunning screen dance. Rik Daniels presented ‘The Light We Shine,’ and Jim Self showed ‘Closet Closure’; both new works-in-progress. Mark Schmidt brought his work, ‘ZY,’ and Danielle Russo showed an excerpt from her film, ‘Salome, and the anatomy of invisible corners.’

June Dance was born in 2021, and June Dance 2026 continues to bring cutting edge work to our local communities. This show offered compelling and exciting additions to that history. The two performances brought in 125 very enthusiastic and engaged people, and featured the DJ ‘WhoisBriantech’ spinning tunes before and after.