CULTURE
WORDS BY KEITH LORIA
HOW D.C. AREA DANCE COMPANIES ARE SHARING THEIR ART DURING THE PANDEMIC
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the creative arts massively, with performances being postponed and classes being canceled. Thankfully, dance companies throughout D.C. are doing what they can to ensure dancing continues. Already, we are seeing amazing performances streamed online, new projects being created for Zoom and Instagram Live, and dance classes held virtually for students of all ages.
MOVING ONLINE Christopher K. Morgan, executive artistic director of Dance Place, which normally offers live performances every weekend and classes for adults and kids, says it has put up virtual classes throughout the week. “We also started a virtual presentation series, which is a combination of conversations with artists and video screenings of excerpts of their work,” Morgan says. “Some of the work that was intended to be presented in our theater, and some giving context to the artist’s full body of work.” The company is using Facebook for the streams, which he notes is super accessible to the entire dance community. “We wanted to stay as connected to our community as we could during this time,” he continues. “We’ve been seeing within the field of dance, really important artists and institutions doing screenings of full-length works that are beautifully lit with multi-camera shoots, and while some of our artists in our series do have access to that type of documentation of their work, we wanted to create a virtual presentation series that highlighted what we do: engaging in conversation and sharing art.” Sarah Ewing, director of contemporary dance company S. J. Ewing & Dancers, notes the company is in the early development of its next work, Techne, which is set to premiere in August. “We are very fortunate that DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities has already confirmed funding for the work, and that they are being very 38 | MAY 2020
flexible with us on any shifts we need to make for the project,” she says. “The co-presenter of the work, CityDance – where I am resident artist – is also supporting us as we navigate the pandemic.” While Ewing still hasn’t written off the plan for a live performance, the company is building the work knowing it may need to move the performance to a virtual setting. “My collaborator, Dylan Uremovich, and I work with a lot of technology – motion tracking and interactive projections – for the company’s dance performances, and so imagining how we could utilize technology to potentially present the work through a virtual platform is sparking many creative ideas,” she explains. “If we move our August performance to an online presentation, that will require cameras, projectors, lights, etc. But for now, it’s been an easy transition.” Ewing continues to teach for CityDance, which has moved all of its classes (165 each week) to various online platforms. “It’s exciting to see how we can leverage these virtual platforms for dance classes. So far, I have been able to do everything with just my laptop and a few apps, and some minor adjustments to the furniture in my bedroom. Dancers have been able to connect to classes with their laptop or iPhone.”
EMBRACING CHANGE
Obviously, virtual dance is not ideal, as a big part of the medium comes from connection and working in unison with other dancers. But with no other options, dancers are making it work the best they can. “As dancers and teachers, we are used to being able to touch and see and be with each other,” Ewing adds. “That shared energy is often the place our
