As 2020 comes to a close, I reflect on the past year and the transformation all of us have collectively undergone. At the onset of the pandemic, I was not sure how the company would sustain itself. For the first time in years, we faced huge financial challenges, as many of us did. The loss of countless performing opportunities, as well as the ability to teach in-person outreach workshops, left me grappling with ETD’s purpose and questioning our future as an organization. As the company began to focus on what we could do to sustain our work, we set our sights on the virtual world, crafting new, innovative ways to connect and choreograph as we ventured into this new paradigm. As ETD began to rebuild, it was you — our audience, collaborators, friends, family, and supporters — who reminded us of our mission: helping others find their fire and spark a light in the darkness.
Since May, Eryc Taylor Dance received over $5,200 in individual contributions. Your overwhelming support provided ETD the opportunity to…
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Host online, financially accessible, public dance classes.
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Provided all of our artists and instructors paid opportunities to rehearse, train, and teach.
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Allowed our administrative staff to expand, sustaining the behind the scenes work necessary to shift to online programming.
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Launch the beginning stages of Uncharted Territory™, set to premiere live in March 2021.
Your generosity has uplifted our organization, encouraging dialogue around sustainability, equity, and a re-commitment to our mission. Additionally, your support offered ETD the opportunity to assemble diverse artistic and audience voices over Zoom. We’ve reinvested in our dedication to employing dancers, composers, photographers, collaborators, instructors, and more, and we’ve seen the first-hand impact our community’s support has on our organization.
As ETD looks ahead towards 2021, we foresee continued challenges as institutional funding and continued restrictions signal a challenging financial landscape. However, the company is ready to face the road ahead, pioneering “Uncharted Territory” with an ambitious season of live and virtual events. We hope you’ll join us for one of the many exciting events coming up both in-person and virtually…
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Saturday, November 14, 3:00 pm: Live, open rehearsal at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park
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Saturday, November 21, 3:00 pm: Tune into Facebook Live for the Uncharted Territory Preview Video’s virtual release!
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Tuesday, December 1, all day: Join ETD on Instagram Live throughout the day in honor of Giving Tuesday! See our calendar for more information.
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March 21-28, 20201, TBA: The World Premiere of Uncharted Territory, Live! Locations, times, and details to be announced at a later date.
There is no doubt this year has brought many challenges to everyone — mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially — and that these challenges are not borne equally. With your continued support and patronage, we can continue to amplify the healing power of dance.
