Art on a Budget- Why I'm IDC's Biggest Fan

Last night I ventured into the heat to see Innervation Dance Cooperative's "Of One Mind." (Now, two caveats. 1. I have many friends in IDC. I would NEVER trash talk my friends in a blog post, so there is a filter here. 2. I am VERY critical of dance, so I'm not going to sugar coat this entirely....)

I LOVED IT. Honestly, I rarely skip out of dance concerts. Usually I sit around and fix the choreography in my mind and leave disenchanted. Even Hubbard Street has received a "mnah" review from me from time to time. Nope. "Of One Mind" gets a "YEAH BITCH! Work it!"

I left this show not only having thoroughly enjoyed it, but also so inspired and so optimistic about the possibilities for dance in a recession.

First, a little about IDC. The company is a Cooperative. Five members comprise the cooperative and they have ten company members. They also hire out seasonal dancers. None of these members are compensated for their hourly time. But as I understand it performers receive a small fee for performances as well as company class. (FRIENDS CORRECT ME IF I SPEAK WRONG!) This is still a reasonably desirable working situation for even full-time dancers.

Through a grant they have a residency at Thurgood Marshall Middle School where they conduct after school programs for students and also rehearse. (the reason I can never audition- I work when they rehearse :( ) ADDITIONALLY the company tours their work to schools. Currently, I believe, Gods Monsters and Heroes (a fitting show to instruct on Greek mythology while likewise exposing students to dance) is touring.

This is a lot for a small 501(c)3 to take on. By small, I mean in terms of finances. They're not backed by Hubbard Street's grants or Joffrey's rich donors. They don't perform at the Harris or Auditorium Theater. They aren't employing dancers full time. And certainly no one's getting health insurance. They have a couple grants, donors, and fundraisers, but these are on a humble scale.

And yet, in spite of this, IDC continues to amaze me. Last night they still put on a really quality show. Not just, oh it was nice for a community theater version of Les Miserables....no. I mean it was really good.

The story of Trudi Chase, a woman who suffered from extreme multiple personality disorder, and abuse at the hands of her stepfather and mother, was gripping. The choreography was lovely and honestly, at times quite impressive. The dancers were beautiful. Never once did I find fault in their movement- they fully realized all their movement potentials within the choreography and moved as one unified cast even though most of them have other jobs. The costumes were cohesive and relevant. The projections were interesting and added to the work. 


 IDC managed to cram a cast of 23 onto Prop Thtr's modest stage, and never once did it look like the cast was struggling to move. Everyone was moving fully- navigating the space like one instead of 23 cramped dancers.  

None of the normal problems that would restrict a company from reaching its full potential seem to hinder IDC. Need a lot of dancers? Get a lot of dancers. Space is too expensive? Get a residency at a school. Need costumes for 23 dancers? Use pedestrian clothes as a base for the costumes. Need a theater? Get a little theater! No a/c? NO PROBLEM! Got a small stage? Use every inch of it. Need a cohesive concert? Choreograph an evening length work. Want to get involved in the community and give back? Tour your concerts to schools. Need an audience? Get 23 dancers and the audience will come. And, they'll probably be so impressed they'll blog about it or send their friends.

Congratulations IDC on creating a model for how to make quality, meaningful art in a recession. This company serves as one of my greatest inspirations for my future hopes and dreams and I can't wait to see what else they do in their future.

Sid Smith's Review: http://seechicagodance.com/company/41
Go see the show this weekend: http://www.innervationdance.org/performances.html
Donate to IDC: http://www.innervationdance.org/support.html

The Bird's Cage

Last night I dreamed I had a cage full of beautiful little birds. Each special and beautiful, each beloved by me. I opened the cage to let them fly free. I thought they would fly back to me.

But as the day went on the cage was still empty. Other ugly creatures flew into the cage, hairy little winged monsters with teeth and claws. I shooed them away, but still my birds did not return.

I sat down to wait for them, patient and hopeful. But deep in my heart there was a sadness because I had already steeled myself to the truth that I would never see them again. My cage would remain empty and my little birds free in the sky, soaring high.