Dancer Music
  • About
  • Contact
  • About
  • Contact
Choreography and Concert DanceDancerMusic ExclusivePRE-View

PRE-View: Moonwater Dance Project presents “MOONWATER I”

June 18, 2018 June 18, 2018 Kristi Licera

In the beginning of any career, we often make sacrifices. Sometimes this means late, unpaid nights in the office or putting in extra work at home, but what happens when these sacrifices become the norm? For many dancers in any stage of their career, the extra hours in the studio and unpaid rehearsals and performances come as no surprise. The justifications for putting up with these circumstances range from “I need to prove myself” to “This is the best opportunity I have.” While those things may be true in the beginning, many dancers will continue to tell themselves these lines hundreds of times over without every developing a sense of what their artistry, time, and talent is actually worth. 

So how can a dance artist begin to build this sense of self-worth in a sea of thankless work? By seeking out companies like Moonwater Dance Project. While this company is in its infancy (founded early 2018), Founder and Artistic Director Mackenzie King has made it the Moonwater mission to provide “ethical treatment of dancers through collaborative creation, showcasing the duality of the strength and softness all individuals have.” Mackenzie and her team have put in the extra time and effort on the administrative side to ensure that the dancers and choreographers that collaborate with Moonwater Dance Project receive financial compensation for all rehearsals and performances, and hope to set the example for those looking to establish their own companies.

DancerMusic’s Dance Editor Kristi Licera caught up with Mackenzie to learn more about Moonwater’s inaugural performance. Here’s what Mackenzie told us:

___________________________

Kristi: This is the debut performance of Moonwater Dance Project. Can you tell us more about the concept for the show and the choreographers contributed to your program?

Several choreographers contributed to the show, making shorter pieces that can stand alone, or can be strung together to create an evening-length work.

Mackenzie: We wanted our first show to explore the duality of water in relation to femininity, especially since we are an all female company. We love that water is a life giving resource but also unyielding in its strength, just as women are. Rehearsal Director Kelsey Reiter and I started a duet last spring that enabled us to explore what it means to be feminine and decided to carry that theme into Moonwater.

Several choreographers contributed to the show, making shorter pieces that can stand alone, or can be strung together to create an evening-length work. Dana Alsamsam, who is now pursuing her masters in poetry, gifted the company with a solo she made for me last year for our first piece of repertoire. Mario Gonzalez took time out of his incredibly busy schedule with Visceral Dance Chicago to work with Moonwater dancer KC Bevis and myself to create the duet “Moon/Water,” which plays with the push and pull in a relationship.

In addition, to our evening of water, we will also be previewing Noelle Kayser’s work in progress, “The Linemen Wright III” that we will continue to develop over the coming months. Noelle commented that in many commissions, she feels that she does not have enough time to fully flush out her ideas and concepts, so we are proud to give her the opportunity to create a full-length work in which she can truly develop and create.

Kristi: Tell us more about Moonwater Dance Project. What sparked its founding, and what do you hope to accomplish for your dancers, dance makers, and the community at large?

Moonwater Dance Project hopes to change the stigma of the dance community by bringing awareness to the treatment of artists and by setting the example that dance isn’t only a passion but also a career in which dancers need to be emotionally, physically and financially fulfilled.

Mackenzie: Our mission is built on the idea that dance and humanity go hand in hand. It is of the utmost importance that we focus on the ethical treatment of dancers through collaborative creation and showcase the duality of strength and softness in all people. We are striving to focus on what should really matter: artistry, individuality and the ability to be vulnerable. Artists love what they do, so oftentimes they are taken advantage of and will do their art for free or for less than what they deserve. Moonwater Dance Project hopes to change the stigma of the dance community by bringing awareness to the treatment of artists and by setting the example that dance isn’t only a passion but also a career in which dancers need to be emotionally, physically and financially fulfilled.

Though we are incredibly “artist friendly” we also want to make concert dance more accessible to the community at large, so we can continue to spread the love of dance!

Some ways in which we hope to spread this message are through performances, such as MOONWATER I, collaborating with other artists, and offering master classes to students — encouraging them to find their own artistic voice and self worth. We have already worked with Peter Hinsdale on several photo shoots and have more in the works. We are also continuing to work with Collin Rogers for dance on film projects. In addition, we are excited to work with several visual artists and musicians in the upcoming season. Though we are incredibly “artist friendly” we also want to make concert dance more accessible to the community at large, so we can continue to spread the love of dance!

___________________________

Moonwater Dance Project presents MOONWATER I June 22 & 23 at 8pm at the Fasseas Whitebox at the Menomonee Club Drucker Center, 1535 N. Dayton St, Chicago. A reception will follow each performance. Tickets are available online via Brown Paper Tickets. Learn more about Moonwater Dance Project by visiting www.moonwaterdanceproject.com.

___________________________

PHOTO CREDITS: Courtesy of Moonwater Dance Project • Photography by Peter Hinsdale • DANCER IDs: Feature Image – Mackenzie King • Photo 1 – Mackenzie King lifted by Kelsey Reiter • Photo 2 (L to R):  Danie Johnson, Celine Spinka, and Emily Brand • Photo 3 – Celine Spinka • Photo 4 – Ariel Dorsey
chicagoChicago Dance CommunitychoreographyConcert DanceDana AlsamsamDrucker CenterKC BevisKelsey ReiterLincoln ParkMackenzie KingMario GonzalezMenomonee ClubMoonwater Dance ProjectNoelle Kayser
Kristi LiceraJune 18, 2018
Kristi Licera

Kristi Licera

Kristi Licera is DancerMusic's Dance Editor. A professional dancer based out of Chicago, IL, she began her dance training at age 8 in her hometown, Rancho Cucamonga, Kristi graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Dance from California State University, Fullerton. Upon graduation, she joined Keshet Dance Company (Albuquerque, NM). Since relocating to Chicago, Kristi has had the honor of performing works with Thodos Dance Chicago, Noumenon Dance Ensemble, South Chicago Dance Theater, Movement Revolution Dance Company, and has worked with a number of independent artists. Kristi actively teaches youth and adult dance classes throughout the Chicagoland area and is a company artist with Chicago Dance Crash.

Here's more ...

4PHOTOS: Twenty Years of New Dances, With Jeff Hancock, Joshua Manculich and Amy Wilkinson

June 18, 2018 June 18, 2018

5 Questions With Composer David Jennings About Music, the Art of Collaboration and L-Theory Collective

June 18, 2018 June 18, 2018

A Dancer’s Quarantine: Finding Hope and Moving Forward with Kristi Licera

June 18, 2018 June 18, 2018

Featured Stories

4PHOTOS: Twenty Years of New Dances, With Jeff Hancock, Joshua Manculich and Amy Wilkinson

June 18, 2020 June 19, 2020

5 Questions With Composer David Jennings About Music, the Art of Collaboration and L-Theory Collective

June 10, 2020 June 10, 2020

A Dancer’s Quarantine: Finding Hope and Moving Forward with Kristi Licera

May 11, 2020 October 13, 2020

More Stories About Dance and Choreography

4PHOTOS: Twenty Years of New Dances, With Jeff Hancock, Joshua Manculich and Amy Wilkinson

June 18, 2020 June 19, 2020

5 Questions With Composer David Jennings About Music, the Art of Collaboration and L-Theory Collective

June 10, 2020 June 10, 2020

A Dancer’s Quarantine: Finding Hope and Moving Forward with Kristi Licera

May 11, 2020 October 13, 2020

The Real Story: Movement Revolution Dance Crew presents “Opposites Attract” with Artistic Director Monte Rezell

March 10, 2020 March 10, 2020

The Real Story: Hedwig Dances’ Founding Artistic Director Jan Bartoszek on “LIGHT PLAY”

March 10, 2020 March 10, 2020

More Stories About Music

5 Questions With Composer David Jennings About Music, the Art of Collaboration and L-Theory Collective

June 10, 2020 June 10, 2020

The Real Story: Trinity Irish Dance Company at The Auditorium Theatre with Chelsea Hoy

February 24, 2020 February 25, 2020

INSIDE: Zachary Whittenburg on “Floor Show”—a production inspired by the sound and vision of David Bowie

February 11, 2020 February 25, 2020
The Big Muddy Dance Company (Photo Courtesy of The Big Muddy Dance Company)

The Real Story: Inside The Big Muddy Dance Company’s “Beat Ballads” With Choreographer Shannon Alvis

January 21, 2020 January 21, 2020

5 Questions With Wilfredo Rivera About America, Americans and Cerqua Rivera’s 20th

September 20, 2019 September 30, 2019

#FINDINGMUSIC

If you're looking for music from artists you might not know (but just might love), look here. If you're looking for music for your next Choreography project, that's here too.

Just click on whatever style you want to listen to, and you'll be #FindingMusic in no time.

HOUSE & TRANCE
BEATS
COOL ROCK
COUNTRY
CLASSICAL & SOUNDTRACK
JAZZ & BLUES
THROWBACKS

Copyright 2010-2019 DancerMusic