throuH the Years
Dancemakers’ history includes five distinct eras beginning in 1974 when the company was first founded as a collective.
eArlY coLletiVe 1974-1989
In 1974, a group of independent dancers led by Andraya Smith and Marcy Radler came together to create, commission and perform new choreography.
In the early years, Dancemakers worked collaboratively, forming commissions and creative relationships with choreographers from many styles and associations.
Between 1974-1989, Artistic Directors included Anna Blewchamp, Carol Anderson, Patricia Miner, Peggy Baker, Patricia Fraser and Bill James.
MORE COMING SOON!
cEntRe fOr crEaTioN 2006-2014
From 2006-2014 Michael Trent acted as Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer and continued to foster new ways of creating experimental dance.
Trent introduced the role of dramaturge to the Company’s creative process with artists such as Bonnie Kim and Jacob Zimmer.
In his final year with the company, Trent launched the Incubation Production House (IPH) model.
MORE COMING SOON!
iNcubatIon pRodUction hOuSe 2014-2019
In 2014, Dancemakers launched the Incubation Production House model. This shifted the focus to intensive three-year residencies for local, national, and international dance artists.
The new position of Dance Curator replaced the traditional role of Artistic Director and for the first year Ben Kamino and Emi Foster were hired as Co-Curators.
From 2015-2019 Amelia Ehrhardt acted as Curator, fostering international success for many of the artists engaged in the Incubation Production House model.
MORE COMING SOON!
gUest curaTor moDel 2020-nOw
In 2020, during the COVID19 pandemic, Dancemakers announced it would close with Natasha Powell named as the final Curator.
Broad community outcry and a new Board of Directors saved the company. Cara Spooner was hired as Artistic Producer.
Helen Yung’s Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence facilitated a two-year community research and outreach process which resulted in the design of the current Guest Curator model.
In 2024, Christina de la Cruz and Cara Spooner became Co-Artistic Producers.
mOrE iN tHe Archive Coming sooN
We are currently working on adding events and artists to our website’s archive section.
Search the current Archive