The Indiana Dance Festival will be hosted by the Fort Wayne Dance Collective from April 1-3, 2011.   We will be kicking off the festival with a performance by Chicago’s Hubbard Street 2 in the Arts United Center at 8 pm on Friday, April 1.  The performance will be preceeded by a Gala Dinner served at 6:30 pm in the Ian Rolland Gallery in the Arts United Center.  Doors open at 5:30 pm for this event.

The festival will feature 3 days of workshops with emphasis on dance, culture, education (grant-writing and social media/networking skills), Taiko and Jenbe drumming, and wellness workshops.  In addition to the Hubbard Street 2 performance and workshops, we will also host an IDF Showcase  featuring a vast array of talent that you won’t want to miss. For more information on this exciting event please visit indianadance.org.

Registration Rates & Fees

PROFESSIONAL/ADULT: $190
STUDENT: $175 /
GROUP RATE: $155 / (More than 5 adults/students registering at once)

Includes ticket to Friday night gala dinner, Hubbard Street 2 performance, up to five Saturday workshops, catered luncheon and ticket to Indiana Dancers Showcase, two Sunday workshops and closing catered brunch

Friday Only:

Gala Dinner and Hubbard Street 2 performance only: $60
Hubbard Street 2 performance only: $25 in advance / $30 at the door/$15 for children 12 and under

Saturday Only:

Up to five workshops, catered luncheon and IDF Showcase ticket: $90
IDF Showcase only: $20 in advance / $25 at the door

Sunday Only:

Two workshops and closing brunch: $45

Drop-in Workshops:

$15 per workshop. No more than 2 workshops allowed without paying full day’s fees

Performance Package:

Hubbard Street 2 performance April 1 and IDF Showcase April 2: $35 in advance

Spectator Fee:

Ability to observe workshops ONLY. Non-admittance to any other events: $15 for the weekend

While the IDF accepts serious students, parents/guardians of those under 18, should be aware that IDF does not provide supervision for students outside the studios.

VIDEO RECORDING DEVICES PROHIBITED. No video recording devices of any type are allowed in the workshops or performances. Flash photography is allowed during workshops but not during performances as it poses a risk to dancers performing.

Hotel Information

We have established a special rate of $86.00 per night (and a special parking rate of $3.50 per night) with the Hilton downtown Fort Wayne. This hotel has many amenities and is about 6 blocks from the festival events.

To book, please call 1-800-HILTONS, and book under the name Indiana Dance Festival or the group code IDF.

This application process for this position has now been closed. Thank you for your interest.

The Fort Wayne Dance Collective is looking for a Managing Director — a talented professional who is a Jack- or Jill-of-All-Trades to manage our marketing, budgeting, and administration for the on-site school. We need someone who can (just for example) design a brochure, hang stage lights, meet with a board committee and restock a juice machine, all before lunch.

The applicant chosen for this position will:

• Have completed a four-year degree
• Have strong writing and communication skills
• Possess superior time management and prioritizing abilities, especially as he or she will be receiving dozens of emails each day
• Know his or her away around Adobe Creative Suite 3, WordPress, Macintosh OS X and basic HTML coding
• Express an interest and aptitude in using social media (such as blogging, Twitter, Facebook, and others as needs arise) to promote the organization
• Harbor an interest and appreciation for dance, movement, wellness, and the arts.

Previous experience with nonprofit organizations and creative or grant-writing skills are definitely a plus. The candidate must be flexible, approachable, and easily co-exist with his or her fellow directors.

If selected, you will work in a fun, laid-back, artsy and respectful environment, learn something new every day, hob-knob with internationally-renowned artists from time to time, and have all the dance and wellness classes, and free popcorn (there’s an independent movie theater in the same building).

This position is budgeted for 40 hours per-week, with a salary of approximately $32,500 a year. Full health insurance is included and is 80% employer-paid. Salary is non-negotiable.

Please apply to Alison Gerardot, Outreach Director via email at careers@fwdc.org with “Managing Director Application” in the subject line, no later than Wednesday, December 15 at 5:00 pm.

Please apply with the following documents, attached in MS Word or PDF format:

• Cover letter
• Résumé
• Two professional references
• A small  portfolio of two or three design and writing samples, which could include press releases, fliers, brochures, postcards, donor letters, or anything relevant to the job responsibilities below.

Job responsibilities include:

• Manage all aspects of the office including supply stocks, ordering from and working with vendors, coordinating with Arts United on insurance, building issues and maintaining office and computer equipment.
• Develop annual marketing plan.
• Manage production of all promotional materials and publicity, including layout and design of newsletter three times per year and maintaining websites.
• Manage maintenance of class schedules and updated information on all students.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director, Outreach Director, Fort Wayne Taiko and outside professionals in securing funds through grant writing and fundraising.
• Act as staff representative to the Fund Development, Board Development, Finance Committees and other committees as needed.
• Oversee accounting aspects for the organization except for payroll and audit to maintain expenses as per the budget, including collaboration with accountants that do audit and monthly accounting, monthly tax filing, financial statement preparation and presentation to the board, A/R review and processing, etc.
• Assist in preparation of annual budget.
• Submit monthly reports for the Board of Directors and participate in Board meetings.
• Assist with long-range planning.
• Create allies in the arts community and other multi-cultural agencies.
• Coordinate and manage membership.
• Coordinate with Artistic Director to serve as staff representative to Arts United Board of Directors. Serve as staff representative to the Community Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, Presidents and Professionals and Arts United.
• Work concerts, workshops and special events in coordination with Artistic and Outreach Directors.
• Create annual development plan including strategically targeting large individual donors.
• Maintain database of donors and potential donors and continuously development and organizational relationship with them.
• Perform or oversee basic HR functions, such as hiring paperwork, year-end tax forms, etc. for a staff of 3 full-time, 2 part time, and about 20 subcontractors.

Dancers should be prepared to learn repertoire and bring a calendar, resume, and references.

The right candidate will be a vibrant dancer who has great vocal skills and loves to interact with children. A flexible schedule is needed, as most performances are during the day. Dancers are paid for performances.

For more information, contact Liz Monnier at (260) 424-6574 or liz [at] fwdc [dot] org

Our ideal intern is laid-back but able to stay on task, adaptive and flexible but motivated, and understand the goals and philosophies of the Fort Wayne Dance Collective (which we will explain in the interview process). It’s a lot of fun — not only do they get to meet fun creative artists, they can work in an environment that fosters creativity. Our intern will get to bump elbows with internationally renowned dancers, learn how nonprofit arts organizations do their good works, and generally make a difference in the lives of over 30,000 people FWDC serves every year.

Our requirements:

• Has an interest in dance, movement, and/or rhythmic music, as well as nonprofit administration.
• Able to create and maintain simple databases, and other related administrative duties to target our marketing for the Indiana Dance Festival and the accompanying guest artist residency by Hubbard Street 2 from Chicago, guest residency in April 2010.
• Must attend meetings and contribute efforts to the 2011 Indiana Dance Festival steering committee led by the Outreach Director.
• Make cold calls to identify potential attendees.
• Conduct mailings to inform patrons of the event.
• Assist with a smaller event, Dark Dance, Deadly Tongue, in late October, to build skills in customer service, as well as event promotion and coordination.

This position pays $10 per hour, for an average of 10 hours per week. Although hours are flexible, there are a few meetings and set office times that are a must.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, navigate over to the Indiana INTERNnet. Create a profile, and find our listing under the Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation Industry. If you’re who we’re looking for, we’ll call you for an interview. Please have your application in by 5:00 pm,September 15, 2010.

Good luck!

Photo by Kelly Lynch.

Earlier this month, Outreach Director Erin Stewart left the Fort Wayne Dance Collective to pursue new ventures in Washington, DC. We wish her well, and realized that she left big shoes to fill. After a long search process with many great candidates, the FWDC board decided to hire Alison Eby Gerardot, pictured above.

Alison has been involved in the Fort Wayne dance scene her entire life.  She has studied and taught dance at numerous studios around the city and region and has choreographed for shows at IPFW as well as for the Fort Wayne Dance Collective.  Along with her knowledge of dance, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English with minors in Dance and Communications as well as her teaching license.  Alison not only has a passion for dance but an appreciation for all arts and has close ties with local musicians and artists as well.  She looks forward to sharing her love of dance and the arts with the community through her work at FWDC. She first became involved professionally with the Fort Wayne Dance Collective when she conceived of and co-created Eaten Alive: Seven Deadly Sins, featuring the work of seven local choreographers, each creating a dance focusing on a mortal sin. All three shows were sold out, and FWDC now produces a spooky Halloween show each October. Alison will be coordinating outreach bookings and developing the program with FWDC, as well as leading the Indiana Dance Festival steering committee for April 2011.

Next time you’re in FWDC studios, stop by the office and welcome Alison, or drop her an email (alison [at] fwdc [dot] org). We are excited to have her aboard, and want her to meet as many of our friends as possible (although chances are, if you are a dancer, you already know her!).

The Fort Wayne Dance Collective is looking for a talented professional to manage and advance our large and diverse outreach program. We need someone who isn’t afraid to network professionally, write detailed grants, follow up with outreach inquiries, manage, nurture and evaluate artists, and even just make coffee now and then.

The applicant chosen for this position will have completed a four-year degree (or commensurate experience), have strong writing and communication skills, possess superior time management and prioritizing abilities, and harbor an interest and appreciation for dance, movement, wellness, and the arts. Previous experience with nonprofit organizations, creative or grant-writing skills, and an understanding of Macintosh computer systems are a plus. The candidate must be flexible, approachable, and easily co-exist with his or her fellow directors.

If selected, you will work in a fun, laid-back, artsy and respectful environment, learn something new every day (anything from hanging stage lights to scrapbooking), hob-knob with internationally-renowned artists from time to time, and have all the dance and wellness classes, and free popcorn you want (there’s an independent movie theatre in the same building).

This position is budgeted for 30 hours-per-week, with a salary of approximately $24,000 a year. Health benefits are included and are employer-paid. Salary is non-negotiable.

Please submit cover letter, resume and at least two professional references to Andy Welfle, Managing Director via email at andy [at] fwdc [dot] org with “Outreach Director Application” in the subject line, no later than Monday, July 26 at 5:00 pm.

Job responsibilities include:

• Seek out new outreach education and performance opportunities including off-site teaching, as well as opportunities for Fort Wayne Taiko and touring company performances.
• Coordinate and produce contracts for outreach services and evaluate the outcomes.
• Assist in the development of outreach marketing activities and strategies.
• Coordinate special projects in conjunction with management staff.
• Manage and negotiate contracts for outreach teachers and outreach sites.
• Assist with long-range planning and annual budget.
• Collaborate with the management staff and outside professionals in securing outreach funds through grant writing, proofing and managing, as well as fundraising.
• Act as staff liaison with the Personnel committee and Education committee.
• Serve on the Artist Panel Committee and the Fund Development Committee.
• Lead the annual Guest Artist Steering Committee.
• Manage the Guest Artist intern.
• Manage on-site volunteers.
• Secure allies in the arts, multi-cultural and disabled communities.
• Submit monthly reports to Board of Directors and participate in board meetings.
• Attend conferences and workshops that relate to the position as determined by management staff.
• Nurture the growth of outreach instructors.
• Assist with hospitality needs for on-site workshops.

To qualify for this program, students must be between the ages of 6-17 and have a sponsor who is responsible for transportation and moral support of the student’s interest in dance. This person can be a parent, family friend, or other significant adult in the student’s life.

No dance experience is necessary, but hard work and dedication is mandatory.

To register for the audition, call the Fort Wayne Dance Collective at 424-6574 or email us via the contact page. You must obtain a scholarship application form prior to auditioning, and submit it by Monday August 16

Lisa Tsetse, ABMP-certified massage therapist, Guild-certified Feldenkrais™ practitioner

Join FWDC founding member Lisa Tsetse, as she returns from Ithaca, NY to teach this popular movement method!

What is Feldenkrais?

The Feldenkrais Method™ is an educational system centered on movement, aiming to expand and refine the use of the self through awareness. It is intended for those who wish to improve their movement repertoire (dancers, musicians, artists), as well as those wishing to reduce pain or limitations in movement, and many who want to improve their general well-being and personal development.

Monday, August 9 & Tuesday, August 10
4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Held at FWDC Elliot Studio, 437 E. Berry St., Second Floor

Cost: $15 per session, or $25 for both.

Call (260) 424-6574 or contact us to register.

FROM LIZ: FWDC welcomes Vicki Millar to facilitate this year’s Summer Intensive Week July 26-30.  I’ve known Vicki for many years and I am so excited she will be here to share her vast knowledge of dance. The week’s focus is to share a variety of ways to teach movement and rhythms to people with disabilities but in addition her love for choreography will be shared in evening classes.  We hope that local dancers will take advantage of this great opportunity!

Class Description

Shedding Light: New ideas on teaching people with disabilities

This dance workshop will explore levels of cognitive development;, modality based learning, teaching approaches, and lesson plans for special populations.

Choreography: Seeing Through New Eyes—A different Perspective

Many choreographic ideas are hidden in plain view. These workshops will draw attention to our environment and life occurrences that often escape our awareness, and shape these into improvisational events and compositional works. Participants should keep a “dream” journal several weeks prior to the workshop and bring with them to class (Class meets Monday through Thursday night with an optional informal showing on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.)

Summer Intensive Schedule

The fee is $200 for the full schedule of events, or $50 for the evening choreography classes only. The Thursday AM retreat is free.

For more information, please call FWDC at (260) 424-6574 or email us at info [at] fwdc [dot] org.

This year, FWDC is collecting spooky spoken word pieces, such as poetry and prose, and nine local choreographers will be putting many of these pieces to choreography in a concert called Dark Dance, Deadly Tongue. Performances will be October 22-24, 2010.

Auditions will be held at the FWDC studios. Dancers should bring their calendars to indicate availability for rehearsals and must be available during all performance times.

Call (260) 424-6574 or email info (at) fwdc (dot) org.