Overwhelmed in a good way

Photo by Eric Olson

Nearing the end of my second season as a part of TDC, I’d like to talk a little about my experience with the Company. 

I began abruptly as an apprentice to the company in the Fall of ’11, and was thrown into the fast-paced process of recreating, actually exactly reproducing the piece, Pull Taut, which I had seen the year before and particularly enjoyed. You could imagine my excitement when I learned of the Company’s plan. I had learned movement from video before, but this was unusual because I was trying to find my niche within the Company as a new member, while at the same time discovering material that was counter-intuitive to my body (since it was someone else’s). It was uncomfortable and difficult for me to handle both, but I was glad that I was put into something like that. It was a learning experience and something that I will always remember when approaching new things. After the dance was reproduced (it seemed like it was done in minutes), we moved on to our new material that would form into Moving Stories, a piece that we also recreated for the Pritzker Stage this past April. It was my chance to bring forth my own material, and show the Company what I could contribute. I was overwhelmed in a good way and couldn’t wait for more. 

I re-auditioned as a company member, and started my second season the Fall of ’12. It was interesting because the newest additions of the company, Molly Kirkpatrick and Julie Boruff began their time with TDC learning 13 from video, an experience I was all too familiar with. I understood how intimidating their position might be but they were so laid back with their ability to adapt and go with the challenges with which they were presented. We then got started on some new material which developed into in orderly fashion. This piece gave the Company the chance to work in a completely different way from what we were used to. I loved the intimacy and awkwardness of the material. It  made for an interesting piece. We performed this on Stage 773, another experience that was new for the Company. The venue was incredibly intimate, which benefited the piece, I think. From that performance, we went on to the recent FlySpace collaboration which I’m sure you have been savvy to. If not, you definitely need to check out what’s been happening. 

So now we have returned to our regularly scheduled programming, which is the Company member produced COLEctive Notions. This production consists of 3-6 brand new works presented by TDC Company members, on TDC Company members. It is a smaller production, usually performed at Links Hall, but recently, we have been presenting in the Fasseas Studio of the Drucker Center which is much more ideal. You definitely need to stay up to date on that performance, as it will not be taking place until the beginning of November. We are also in the middle of auditions and callbacks. It was so exciting to see all of the supporters of TDC and the people who are interested in the Company! So that’s my story with TDC. As of now, I’m looking forward to new experiences, both for the Company, and as a member. As we all know, the times are changing for dance companies and The Dance COLEctive has been admirably on top of some pretty innovative ways to stay in the business, so stay tuned! 

Submitted by TDC Dancer Madelyn Doyle, on May 20, 2013.  

Dance is like poetry of the hips not the lips...

Dance is like poetry of the hips not the lips
when i tell others i'm a dancer i clarify with,
"but i don't make any tips"
making dance is fun but its definitely no party.
Here's a taste of the creative process with Margi.

It starts with an idea, maybe a book or some quotes
we talk it over, think it out, and each jot down some notes
we use our official notebooks to write stories and words
when it comes to the creative process
we leave no resource unturned.

Its a full body experience, from your fingers to your toes
using every fiber and every ounce to make solos
we rub them into duets and smash them into trios
Margi adds her flare here and there
and the dance, its starts to form.

We watch and give notes, we try one thing then another
we space it out and pace it out and when it doesn't work
we take a breath or even ten and regroup to start again.

Sometimes its hard to see the vision but we know we're always close
we put our faith in our fearless leader and she pulls all the ropes.
She asks us questions or gives us directions
she knows the big picture but never forgets the small
her magic is in the details and how she composes it all.

It has to be a challenge at 9 O'clock at night
but she's always ready, always thinking
always challenging us with what we're making
the point of the toe or touch of a hand
it never slips past her when it comes to small details
she is a master.

It can be frustrating and it can get long
there's no formula and sometimes there is no song
you just have to get out there and start with an idea
you let it grow and sometimes change
you give it life and then a name
we make it ours and hold it close
and then share it with those who love dance most.

Tuesday and Thursday nights at our beloved Drucker Center
we meet with Margi, its no party
but we're proud of what we do and who we do it with
and in a month and a few weeks you will get to experience it.

It's a very open forum, this creative process
its ever changing always engaging
and i can only hope i will get better at it with time.

Submitted by TDC Dancer Olivia May on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

A Journey to The Dance COLEctive by Maggie Koller

This is my seventh season with The Dance COLEctive (TDC). W-o-w. That means for the last 6, going on 7 years, I have spent almost every single Tuesday and Thursday night, and every other Sunday morning, rehearsing at the Drucker Center. I have performed in multiple dance venues, parks, stairwells, and other site-specific locations in and around Chicago. I have toured, done residencies, taught, performed and improvised across the Midwest and Southern United States. I have devoted my time and energy to the activities both in and out of the studio that support the mission of TDC. And in return, I have learned, sweat, laughed, cried, and grown tremendously with an absolutely amazing group of women.

For me, this journey began at Beloit College, my alma mater. TDC came to do a residency sometime during my senior year. I took class and rehearsed with Margi for a week that culminated in a performance by her company and a work she set on the Beloit dancers. The TDC women were all strong, as were the works on the program. I was very intrigued by Margi’s exploration of relationships and use of partnering. I also remember seeing the dancers warming up in the dressing room and wondering how they were able to do so many push ups…now I know.

At the end of the performance, each dancer was given a personal thank you note from Margi. Mine ended with something along the lines of “When you’re back in Chicago, don’t hesitate to look us up.” A few weeks after graduation from Beloit, I ran into Liz Carlton (a now retired TDC dancer) at Lou Conte. She said, “We’ve been looking for you!” and asked me to come to an invite-only audition for the company. Feeling equally nervous and confident, I reached out to Margi and accepted her invitation to audition.

After completing a pretty grueling set of essay questions about my perception of women in dance and women in the media, technique class, and several chunks of difficult company repertory with an intense level of partnering, Kaitlin Bishop, Jessica Post, and I were asked to join the company as apprentices. The beautiful thing about Margi’s apprentice program is that performance opportunities are no different for apprentices than they are for full company members—the only difference is that you don’t get paid. So, I danced my pretty little head off that first season as an apprentice, and have been given an equally beneficial opportunity to perform with the company as a full member ever since.

Through the handfuls of other companies and independent choreographers I have danced for, TDC has remained the backbone of my professional dance career. I continue to learn so much from Margi. She is an excellent teacher, an amazing performer, an extremely intelligent businesswoman, and has grown to become a great friend. I am so appreciative of the level of detail and professionalism she brings to the organization. I always feel that my time is valued and well spent, and that is very important to me. The dancers she cultivates tend to grow not only as a palette of bodies that gel together on stage, but a group of women who have become incredibly close both in and outside the studio.

Season seventeen for the company. Season seven for me. I still can’t believe how much time has passed. And I have no doubt this will be another amazing year.

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Submitted by TDC Dancer Maggie Koller on Monday, September 24, 2012.