Support NEW Wichita Dance Company
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Wheat State Dance Collective is a small professional dance company in Wichita, Kansas! My name is Heather Eilerts, and I am the Founder and Artistic Director of WSDC.
I grew up in Wichita, training for most of my life in ballet, dancing with a local ballet company, and getting my BFA in Dance from Wichita State University. I am rooted in the dance community in the city and I can honestly say that we have some amazing talent here! So many of my friends in college were talented and hard-working, they deserved to get professional jobs performing in the dance world. Unfortunately, many gave it up because they couldn't afford to move to a bigger city and Wichita didn't have any opportunities for them. Many did move away, and I can say that several have made their dreams come true, even making names for themselves nationally, but many ended up getting jobs in those big cities that made them work long hours and give up dancing to pay the rent. I want to change that!!
I started WSDC to give locally-trained dancers the chance to stay near to their roots and still do what they love professionally. Some may stay and help me grow the company, but others may use WSDC as a chance to build their resume to increase their chances of being hired right away in one of those bigger cities. The company is meant to be both a permanent fixture in the community to showcase our locally grown dance artists and also a springboard for professional development.
This is our first full season of performances, and we need YOUR HELP! As a professional company, I must pay the dancers for their hours worked and a performance fee, and I must pay for marketing, insurance, future venues, travel expenses, costumes, and other miscellaneous expenses as they pop up. I don't have endless pockets, and the biggest impact comes from individuals donors LIKE YOU! Even $5 here and there can add up quickly. The $5000 is just for our Fall performance operations (including some of the things listed above) and to reserve our Spring performance venue. All of these funds are needed by November 1st!
I love my community, and I have always dreamed of having my own dance company. Right now we are only a seed, but over time and with some support, we can grow to become a company that represents Wichita's performing arts community. We appreciate it very much, and I hope that you will consider giving to us!
I grew up in Wichita, training for most of my life in ballet, dancing with a local ballet company, and getting my BFA in Dance from Wichita State University. I am rooted in the dance community in the city and I can honestly say that we have some amazing talent here! So many of my friends in college were talented and hard-working, they deserved to get professional jobs performing in the dance world. Unfortunately, many gave it up because they couldn't afford to move to a bigger city and Wichita didn't have any opportunities for them. Many did move away, and I can say that several have made their dreams come true, even making names for themselves nationally, but many ended up getting jobs in those big cities that made them work long hours and give up dancing to pay the rent. I want to change that!!
I started WSDC to give locally-trained dancers the chance to stay near to their roots and still do what they love professionally. Some may stay and help me grow the company, but others may use WSDC as a chance to build their resume to increase their chances of being hired right away in one of those bigger cities. The company is meant to be both a permanent fixture in the community to showcase our locally grown dance artists and also a springboard for professional development.
This is our first full season of performances, and we need YOUR HELP! As a professional company, I must pay the dancers for their hours worked and a performance fee, and I must pay for marketing, insurance, future venues, travel expenses, costumes, and other miscellaneous expenses as they pop up. I don't have endless pockets, and the biggest impact comes from individuals donors LIKE YOU! Even $5 here and there can add up quickly. The $5000 is just for our Fall performance operations (including some of the things listed above) and to reserve our Spring performance venue. All of these funds are needed by November 1st!
I love my community, and I have always dreamed of having my own dance company. Right now we are only a seed, but over time and with some support, we can grow to become a company that represents Wichita's performing arts community. We appreciate it very much, and I hope that you will consider giving to us!
Organizer
Heather Eilerts
Organizer
Wichita, KS
