Daydreams and Rants

This is exactly how I dreamed my life would be. Working with wonderful people everyday who continue to inspire me. Surrounded by artists, a community that is supportive rather than competitive. Struggling to make ends meet, but surviving (and dare I say, thriving).

I have had many ups and downs recently, and as I was talking with two of my friends at separate times yesterday, I think the downs were only a product of exhaustion. When well-rested, I feel nothing but absolute peace. How could I want for more?

I feel blessed to be working with such wonderful people -- the partners at NorthSide Dance Theater, company and co-op of IDC, and dancers of GIA, and RDA.

This was the first Chicago audition season that I haven't participated in since I've been here. I didn't go to the cattle calls of impossibility (aka River North or Hubbard Street), and didn't go to some that were maybe a little more possible for SOMETHING to come out of it (aka New Dances). I'm extremely busy with everything that I'm working on right now...and for the first time I feel completely fulfilled by my work and want nothing else.

I have finished two dances that are about to premiere, one dance has mere seconds to completion and the fourth has less than 30 seconds. And...I really like what I've done. I hope you do too!


Now that I have filled your minds with fluffy, daydreamy spouts of my genuine happiness, I have to rip those pretty clouds to talk about not so nice stuff. Fundraising. Or rather, lack of support from audiences at fundraisers.

I have had a couple fundraisers so far this year for a couple of my dance companies, and I've noticed a trend: the lack of attendance from our patrons. I am so happy that there are people who are interested in small contemporary dance companies and actually crack their wallets open to pay $20 or less for an evening length show. Bravo, dance lovers! I don't understand why people don't find the fundraisers leading up to said show to be just as important. We can't put on a show without funds.

Non-profit arts organizations are in a bind. We have drive and goals and missions and dreams. We don't have money. We have debt. The few number of grants available are difficult to obtain, but please believe that we are trying. So many other organizations just like my dance companies are in need of financial support, so competition is tough.

That's why private funding is so important. That's why I advertise my "so many" fundraisers to my friends. I'm not trying to leech your back account. I just figure that if you like what I do, you might like to see more of it in the future.

This topic is on my mind because I had an awesome fundraiser a week ago (endless pizza and wine for 3 hours for $25!) that was poorly attended. It made me and other people very sad. I also have a hugely awesome fundraiser coming up this Saturday. All the bells and whistles included (4 hour open premium bar, dinner by Wildfire, live band, dance lesson, teaser performance, raffles and auctions) for only $50. That is much less than you would pay to go out to dinner and then to see a show. Yet, so far, our tickets sales are pretty low. And you know what...I have a fundraiser next weekend too. $10 for a free drink and a show. (PS, if you want specific information about these events just let me know.)

My main point is that we can all dig in and attend fundraisers with a little bit of planning. Everyone's excuse these days is that there just isn't enough money. It's such an easy default when the economy is in a slump. It's just frustrating to see people spend huge amounts of money on TVs, furniture, vacations, and fancy dinners without even thinking otherwise yet won't pull out a dollar for a raffle ticket to help a non-profit buy a sewing needle.

All of the above comes from a source of frustration, but I hope that it inspires me and you to invest in what is important to you.
I won't yell at you if it happens to be a TV.

A difficult decision

I made a difficult decision this weekend. For almost a year now, I had planned on auditioning for Thodos Dance Chicago's "New Dances." It's the only time of year that they audition non-company dancers to be included in a show. I was so excited, but then at the last minute I realized that I have absolutely no time to be involved in another show. This is not the type of audition where it is okay to take the company's four-hour audition as a free class, and then turn down a role if it is offered. I believe that would be very disrespectful. Plus, if I had been offered a role, I know I would have taken it.
I love having many projects going on at the same time. It's exciting! I just don't want so much on my plate that my passion becomes a chore. I already have glimpses of that now, subtle hints that I may have too much of a good thing.
As you probably well know (because I remind people of what I'm working on all the time), I am now working on three different shows. After the IDC show in May, I didn't have anything else planned. I recently met with my friend, the artistic director of Renegade Dance Architects, and spoke of my intentions to continue to perform with the company. Since that conversation, I will now be in a show in August.
I'd say that is enough on my plate for now.

I have more that I want to talk about (in regards to raising money for non-profits and other things that disappoint me), but we'll save that for next time.

It's been a little while, and I've been rather busy.
The big news is that my husband and I just moved to a new apartment. We're a bit north of our old place, but the location is excellent. We're still extremely close to reliable public transportation, near shops and restaurants, and I'm much closer to the studio now.
The move was financially essential. Now that I am making nearly half what I made last year, we had to cut expenses somewhere. Easiest solution was to find a cheaper apartment. So now we are living in a beautiful two bedroom apartment above close friends, and we have a roommate (an actor) to split the costs.
I would love to say it has been a smooth transition, but it's been difficult for me to adjust to certain aspects of the move. I always get territorial in a new spaces, and I have been more defensive that usual about my design and organization ideas. I don't think it has helped that all three of us are extremely busy with work and rehearsals and performances and don't have a ton of time to devote to unpacking the new apartment.
Slowly, things are falling into place. And hopefully soon I will turn back into the relaxed, respectful, easygoing Stephanie that I want to be.

But dance is not slowing down at all. I am in a performance this week (IDC is the guest company for Columbia College's Dance/Movement Therapy Alumni Concert), have teaser performances in upcoming fundraisers for IDC and GIA, then my piece for Renegade was accepted into Chicago Fringe Artists Networking Night, and then it's the GIA show...and then a few weeks later is the IDC show!

So many exciting and new things in my life. I hope you will follow along as I come across new adventures.