2015 has been a great year for GroundWorks DanceTheater. We are privileged to work alongside so many amazing artists, and our wonderful staff. We want to take a minute to reflect on the year and some of the accomplishments our organization is most proud of, and to thank you our supportive community for all you have helped to make possible.
Presenting Groundbreaking New Works
A central part of our mission is to present innovative new works of contemporary dance. In the past year we have premiered several new works, including two choreographed by our incomparable Executive Artistic Director, David Shimotakahara:
GroundWorks also commissioned new work from a number of guest artists, including Robert Moses, Eric Handman, and Kate Weare. Our work with these renowned choreographers adds to the extraordinary range of repertory that the company is originating and bringing to our audiences throughout Northeast Ohio.
The company worked in collaboration with many additional artists – composers, musicians, lighting, set, media and costume designers, all of whom helped to deepen the experience and bring new artistic perspectives to our work.
Over the course of the year, we have had the immense pleasure of performing numerous times in both the Cleveland and Akron areas. We look forward to continuing to present our work throughout Northeast Ohio in 2016!
Connecting with our Community
Another tenant of our mission at GroundWorks is to educate and enliven our community. We have had the wonderful opportunity to introduce dance to younger generations through several residencies with area schools. These residencies have been incredibly fulfilling for our staff as they have the opportunity to experience first-hand the difference dance can make for a child.
We have also found new ways to engage our community through our Action/Reaction program. Here, we work with area college students who also studying and creating in the arts, but who may not have previously experienced contemporary dance – to allow them to experience dance, and its creative process, and then articulate their reaction using their respective discipline. This year we have seen amazing reactions from students through visual and written art as the result of this program.
We are excited to grow these efforts and continue to look for new ways to extend our engagement with our community. We again thank each and every one of you who has supported and been part of our success this year and we look forward to a productive and inspired 2016!