This past January, we traveled to Omaha, Nebraska for an incredible tour of teaching and performance. Thank you to our Executive Director, Anita Thomas, for putting together this comprehensive recap of our trip!
Workshop with 8th graders at Conservative Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue. Photo by On the Mark Photography.
Our 2016-2017 tour to Omaha, Nebraska started in August of 2013 when Liz Feldstern, Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education invited us to perform after learning about us from our dear friend, Dr. Harriet Sepinwall, former professor of education and history and co-director of the Holocaust Education and Resource Center at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. Liz was very disappointed when she learned she couldn’t afford our fee to tour and train for about one week in NE. However, about twenty months ago, she re-contacted us to say that she had enjoyed reading about our work and ventures through e-blasts and social media and that she had found an equally interested partner, Omaha Performing Arts (OPA), who was thrilled to bring in such a top notch New York area dance company with a special approach to educating and building bridges in a community.
Over the last year, Carolyn, Stephanie Cathey, our former company manager, and me planned a terrific tour in conjunction with Liz, Kendra Whitlock Ingram- Vice President, Programming and Education for OPA, Joanie Mathis – Programming Manager-OPA, and Dominic Green-Community Engagement Manager-OPA. The tour ran from January 16-20, 2017 and it was comprised of the following activities:
· Tuesday, January 17th – 7pm – Mini Legacy Project Performance at a Patron Event at the Jewish Community Center
· Wednesday, January 18th – Company fanned out across Omaha
· 10:30 am – Student Matinee at Orpheum Theater for OPA
· 12:45 pm – Multigenerational Community Workshop at Intercultural Senior Center
· 4:30 – 6:00 pm – Pre-Professional Master class at the Holland Center taught by Carolyn and 1 dancer
· 6:30 – 8:00 pm – Workshop with 8th graders at Conservative Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue with Carolyn and 2 dancers
· Thursday, January 19th – Workshops and Performance
· 9:45 – 11:15 am – Master class at Duchesne High School Academy taught by 5 dancers
· 10 – 11:30 am – Master class held Omaha South High School taught by other 5 dancers
· 7:30 pm – Performance of The Legacy Project: A Dance of Hope at the Orpheum Theater with Talkback with Carolyn and dancers
Sharing art and process is the hallmark of Carolyn Dorfman Dance and we are committed to developing our programs in ways that broaden, deepen, and diversify audiences. This tour like our fall 2016 tour to Sarajevo, Bosnia, Herzegovina exemplifies the best of our community engagement programming. Our multi-touch approach brings audiences closer to the art and artists both onstage and in the studio. Whether at home or on tour, Carolyn Dorfman Dance creates a true “in residence” feel in every community we touch.
We are very proud of the commendation letter we received from Esther Katz, JCC Dance and Cultural Arts Director who participated throughout the week in our programming.
