MODArts Dance Collective's (MADC) definition of Me < We is to encourage and nurture our independent unique selves through the principles of purpose and passion. How, through the rich examination of self we can ultimately grow closer, forming an unbreakable collective built on compassion and understanding.

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Me < We: a workshop program

Me < We: a workshop program is an extension of Me < We: a Works In Progress (WIP) Showing and Me < We: a solo dance concert. The Me < We workshop is a cultural affirming space for all BIPOC teenage artists ages 12-18 to creatively express themselves through movement and create choreography with an underlying theme of community. This program consists of:

 

• ​One 60-minute movement based class to introduce the choreographic elements of space, time, and energy

• 30 minutes of round table discussions and a call to action (CTA) of solutions formulated by the participating artists to integrate into their lives and communities to form a better world

• 30 minutes of creating choreography based on community or tapping into Mindfulness Exercises: writing, drawing, and coloring

 

This free open program was offered through The Beacon Program at East Side Community High School, 420 East 12th Street New York, NY 10009. Me < We: a workshop program will be held on Saturdays 12-2pm beginning on January 7, 2023 and is culminating with a performance during our Me < We: a solo dance concert on May 20, 2023. The purpose of the Me < We workshop is to provide young artists access to technical and creative resources to assist in strengthening their voices. The goal of the Me<We workshop is to provide a safe and open space for BIPOC teenagers ages 12-18 to cultivate tools towards positive mental and emotional health, build a cohesive, sustainable circle of peers, strengthen their artistic voices, and realize that their voices are necessary to change the world.

 

Me < We: a workshop program is supported in part by being an Artist-in-Residence of The Performance Project @ University Settlement 2022/23 season.

 

Behind the Scenes Video of this year’s Me < We: a workshop program

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September

Choreographed by: Courtney Stewart & the participating artists of this year’s Me < We: a workshop program: Harmonie Washington, Joaquin (Lucchy) Lugo, & Alyssa Ray

Performed by: Harmonie Washington, Joaquin (Lucchy) Lugo, & Alyssa Ray

Music: Earth, Wind, & Fire

 

September is a culmination of the four and a half month process of the budding artists’ hard work, energy, and effort.

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5 minute pause

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Behind the Scenes Video of Sweet Seventies’ Suite (SSS)

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Sweet Seventies’ Suite (SSS)

Choreographed by: Leah Tubbs

Performed by: Sharayah Spruill, Courtney Stewart, Yasmin Venable, & Imani Vieira

Music: Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, & Stevie Wonder

 

Sweet Seventies’ Suite explores the evolution of grief & loss of a loved one while seeking joy through the memories created during the tenure of their relationship. Grief and loss of a loved one comes and goes in waves for a lifetime. Even though the person is no longer physically here on earth with us, their spirit and memories stay with us as long as we allocate the time to remember.

 

Behind the Scenes Video of granting myself grace

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granting myself grace

Choreographed & Performed by: Leah Tubbs

Music: Visioneers

 

granting myself grace investigates the process of growth: identifying the root of the issue; unlearning the habits associated with the issue; and cultivating new practices to better approach the issue to ensue growth. This is a lifelong process that pushes us to lean into our full potential. Throughout this journey, we must grant ourselves grace in order to move through the challenges, grief, and loss to experience joy.

 

Behind the Scenes Video of 143

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143

Choreographed by: Leah Tubbs

Performed by: Veronica Cheeseboro, Shoshana Mozlin, Sharayah Spruill. Courtney Stewart, Leah Tubbs, & Imani Vieira

Music: Natalie Cole, Anita Baker, Faith Evans, Chrisette Michele, H.E.R., & Teyana Taylor, Iman

 

143 celebrates six different milestones in a romantic relationship: saying ‘I love you’ for the first time; realizing that you have found your forever person; getting engaged; the wedding vows; realizing forever is more than just a day, but a lifetime of consistent work towards communication, empathy, compassion, and unconditional love just to name a few; and celebrating the ongoing evolution of your relationship.

 

Gratitude and Thanks

MADC would like to thank our 2023 donors: Dr. & Mrs. Amamoo, Sharon Banks, William-Michael Cooper, Sherema Fleming, Malaika Holder, Rev. & Mrs. Lee, Karen & Brian Lowy, Tanya Patton, Adriana Ray, Nathaniel Rutledge, Brittany Wilson, & Harriette Smiley. We are grateful to have received funding this year from IABD COHI | MOVE Collective Cohort (2021-24), West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC), Lower Manhattan Cultural Center (LMCC) Creative Engagement Grant, & 2022/23 The Performance Project @ University Settlement Artist-in-Residence. We are thankful to be receiving subsidized studio rates as a company-in-residence at Hi-ARTS.

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Support

The goal for our 2023 fundraising campaign is to raise 20K through individual donations that will go towards our operating costs which includes staffing (Leadership Team) and consultant costs (Public Relations, Grant Writer, and Accounting/Bookkeeping) to continue to expand and amplify the reach of MADC. MODArts Dance Collective is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible; EIN: 87-2210130. Please consider contributing to MADC here.