The nourishing space that Valerie Green/Dance Entropy cultivates for emerging artists became the springboard to my professional dance career in New York City. In Spring 2023, I participated as a choreographer in the DIG program. Through the mentorship of moderators and feedback from peers, I developed a 10-minute solo that helped me to hone my artistic voice and sink into new ways of generating movement. Performing my solo, Sullen Roots, at Green Space expanded my confidence as a dance-maker and inspired me to continue finding ways to create and share work.
The connections I formed with wonderful choreographers throughout the DIG process opened opportunities for work as a dancer. I began performing with Clymene Aldinger, a DIG cohort member, and Chris Ferris, one of our moderators. Valerie Green invited me to dance as a guest artist in her new site-specific work, Clepsydra, a physical investigation into water, time and environment. Valerie originally choreographed Clepsydra around a water sculpture at Socrates Sculpture Park. I loved taking part in this dynamic process of transferring choreography to an outdoor environment and working with live musicians. The day of the performance was joyful and community-filled.
We have since had two more opportunities to reset and perform Clepsydra at Gantry Plaza State Park and at the New York Hall of Science. Each rendition has challenged me as an artist to find new connections with the natural environment through our movement. I’ve also enjoyed seeing how audience members warmly receive the piece. The audience of our most recent performance was filled with kids who were enchanted by the interactive animation projected on the walls!
Becoming a cast member of Clepsydra has folded me into a beautiful community of other dancers who I admire for both their artistry and their character. This piece is performed by a diverse cast in which every dancer is able to express their authenticity. This artistic individuality is another reason I have come to love Green Space and feel that it is an essential asset to our NYC dance community.
