My name is Anna Goldberg and I am currently interning for Heidi Latsky Dance. My fellow intern, Ava Untermyer, and I hail from Pitzer College and are spending our summer in New York City working and learning about the incredible organization that is Heidi Latsky Dance (HLD).
Heidi Latsky Dance’s the Gimp Project came on tour to Claremont, CA, in which Ava and I saw them perform at Scripps College. We were blown away by the performance and were both intrigued to learn more. As we are both involved with the Claremont Colleges’ dance departments, we were invited to a Q&A session with Heidi Latsky the following morning. We learned about Heidi’s mission and vision for the company and were impressed with her dedication to diversity, equality and of course, high quality dance. We knew we needed to be a part of HLD.
Fast forward a few months and we arrived in New York City and immediately began to help produce The Gimp Project’s upcoming showing of IF at the LaMaMa Moves! Festival. We worked with our project manager, Michael Mercurio, to promote the show, plan an opening night reception and silent auction, and help Heidi in any way that we could. We hoped that our hard work would pay off, as we firmly believed in allowing others to experience HLD in the way that we had.
This past weekend we finished our run of The Gimp Project: If. We had four shows with full audiences and a wonderful response. Being a dance minor at the Claremont Colleges and having danced and watched dance throughout my entire life, I have been exposed to many different styles, genres and productions of dance. I enjoy seeing and learning about different pieces, but Heidi’s work, to me, is something else. By the end of the run, throughout rehearsals, tech-week and each show, I had probably seen the piece about 14 times and I was yet to get through it without getting goose-bumps and tearing up.
The piece for me was a beautiful, visual representation of diversity, equality and gorgeous movement. Each cast member brought their individual story and intention to the work to create an hour-long unified piece of dance. I was constantly inspired by the strength of each dancer in their movement. Even after the 14th time.
As I left the theater each night with the HLD team, to ensure that everything was in place, I heard audience members raving about how deeply moved they were by the evening.
Unfortunately, we have not seen many reviews or press from the show. I know I loved it, considering I picked up and came all the way across the country to be a part of it all, but we want to know what you think.
If you were able to see the show and have any feedback, please comment below.
If you were unable to see the show and have questions about any upcoming performances feel free to contact us here at the HLD headquarters or check out our website at http://www.heidilatskydance.net
With Love,
Anna and Ava
I’ve been a dancer all my life. I work now a a dance teacher and choreographer. I saw the opening night of The Gimp Project : If. I was absolutely mesmerized by it. Can’t stop thinking about it or talking it about it. It was so beautifully staged and choreographed and Heidi’s attention to detail is unique. Her use of the space so enhanced the dramatic effect of the piece, and I was so inspired by the focus and commitment of each performer. It was a stunning and thought provoking evening, and I will remember it always.
I had the privilege of seeing The Gimp Project’s “IF” performance last Saturday and was blown away. While many abstract and modern dance performances tend to rub me the wrong way, “IF” was genuine and full of raw emotion. The intertwining of bodies–both trained dancers and different bodied performers–was remarkably beautiful. Having lived many years with a grandmother who had Cerebral Palsy and later passed away from Multiple Sclerosis, I was very moved by the outlet this performance lent to all body types and all walks of life. Initially I was uncomfortable by the title “The Gimp Project,” but after enjoying this performance, I now truly understand and respect the redefining of a formerly discriminatory word. The performance–all around, was a delight. Amazing job to the performer and to Anna and Ava for all your hard work!!
I have watched Heidi Latsky’s choreography evolve for over twenty years. She has always been a stupendous choreographer and an unparalleled dancer/performer. I watch Heidi move and my breath is taken away…always. The Gimp Project, and IF are an incredible merger of Heidi’s intellect, techincal prowess, creative vision, and maybe most strikingly her compassionate and collaborative nature. I don’t think there are many choreographers in the world doing work of this depth. BRAVO HEIDI (and company!!!!)
I love working with Heidi because it exposes me not only to her stunning work but also to her supportive interactions with her dancers. Heidi has truly built a loving, enthusiastic community within her company. During each rehearsal I was amazed by how she maintained an encouraging attitude towards her dancers in even the most stressful of situations. Having worked with negative choreographers and teachers myself, I appreciate Heidi’s warm energy as a much needed breath of fresh air to the so often negative dance world. To me, Heidi Latsky Dance is evidence that positive encouragement really does lead to positive results.
- Ava Untermyer
Recently saw If at La MaMa, and saw The Gimp Project a couple of years before that at Abroms Art Center and l think Heidi’s work is awesome. l love that she uses performers of all ages and body types that just don’t get seen in other dance companies (except her good friends at lnfinity Dance Theater) in such beautiful and emotionaly affecting ways. As an older dancer with a body riddled with injuries who nonetheless has found a wy to compensate and move in unusually flexible ways, l have never given up yearning to perform with Heidi and have a dream come true. To be part of her work would be an incredible fulfillment on every level.
http://www.idanz.net/aharlib
What a beautiful way to introduce NYC to me as I arrived from Chicago that day. I am not exposed to the dance world and this was very inspiring. My 9 year old son watched the whole performance as well and said that he enjoyed it. Joining the cast for dinner afterwards gave further awe to the performers and the people behind the scenes. Great job all!
-Michelle Sattler
My expectations were shattered by this moving piece of art. Each of us owes it to ourselves to see a piece as illuminating and dynamic as “If.”
I have never blogged before but I am thrilled to see these comments posted especially since as far as I know there were no reviews of this work and to get feedback is vital to the continuation of the work.
The GIMP Project is on ongoing effort with many obstacles and many more rewards.
I appreciate the comments and look forward to some interesting discussions about the “collision of dance and disability”
I’m addicted to the high of being transported by performance art. Music, dance, theater, singing…toy with my emotions, tickle my fancy, make me laugh, cry, think, get angry, melancholy, whatever it is I’m ready for that ride. From the moment the dark LaMaMa space was transformed ever-so-faintly and slowly by a light that made a human form seem to float in space near what I thought moments before in the light of day was the ceiling of the stage, I was hooked, transfixed, mesmerized. And that continued throughout the entire performance of “IF.”
I went into this performance knowing a little bit about the Heidi Latsky Dance company’s premise of diversity and inclusion. You’ve got to be at least curious about a choreographer who has the moxie to call her work the “Gimp Project.” What I saw were beautiful humans doing beautiful movement beautifully…with clarity, intention, energy, focus, connection, and humanity. It very quickly was no longer about the diversity or inclusion, but about that very human condition that challenges all of us of having to face and, hopefully, overcome whatever obstacles one encounters (or creates) in life whether they are mental, emotional, or physical. I was transported and left transformed by this work.
Thanks Heidi and dancers for supporting my addiction.