Imana + dancers goes to NYC
Donation protected
Hello! I'm Imana Gunawan, and I am a Seattle-based multimedia journalist and dance artist. I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in journalism and dance. Since graduating, I've had the chance to continue to perform and work on dance projects with my friends and artists around the region, in addition to working in different journalistic capacities throughout Seattle.
Throughout the beginning of this year, while a student at the UW, I created this piece which was performed in March during the UW Dance Majors Concert. After graduating in June, for shits and giggles, I applied to the American Dance Guild Festival in New York City. Lo and behold, the festival's adjudication committee wants to produce my piece and have it performed in the festival from December 3-6 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in Manhattan.
A little bit about the piece: When I returned from reporting in Jordan in summer of 2014, I started creating this piece as a way of not only channeling my own frustrations regarding the geopolitical and humanitarian crises in the Middle East (and the lack of attention it received in Seattle), but also researching the experience of those affected by the situation, whose experiences vastly differed from my reality. Coming from a place of privilege, I wanted to make sure I wasn't preaching about politics or appropriating other peoples' experiences, so the process became an intellectual and physical research as much as it is an artistic one—and I'm glad I took that route. Long story short, this was the result. To me, this piece feels like the appropriate blend of my dance and journalism background.
I'm ecstatic that my original cast and wonderful artists/friends, Megan Stutesman, Sean O'Bryan, Christopher Engelbrecht, and Michael O'Neal Jr., are all willing and able to participate and perform in the festival.
But as recent graduates and aspiring working artists, our budget is limited, so we are asking our friends and community for financial support to take on this project and take our big artistic leap.
Your financial support would help us cover the costs of:
Airfare: $1,500
Costumes: $50
Props: $180
Rehearsal Space: $70
Any donation is very much appreciated!
Photos by Kevin Kwong/The Daily
Video by Jeff Curtis
Throughout the beginning of this year, while a student at the UW, I created this piece which was performed in March during the UW Dance Majors Concert. After graduating in June, for shits and giggles, I applied to the American Dance Guild Festival in New York City. Lo and behold, the festival's adjudication committee wants to produce my piece and have it performed in the festival from December 3-6 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in Manhattan.
A little bit about the piece: When I returned from reporting in Jordan in summer of 2014, I started creating this piece as a way of not only channeling my own frustrations regarding the geopolitical and humanitarian crises in the Middle East (and the lack of attention it received in Seattle), but also researching the experience of those affected by the situation, whose experiences vastly differed from my reality. Coming from a place of privilege, I wanted to make sure I wasn't preaching about politics or appropriating other peoples' experiences, so the process became an intellectual and physical research as much as it is an artistic one—and I'm glad I took that route. Long story short, this was the result. To me, this piece feels like the appropriate blend of my dance and journalism background.
I'm ecstatic that my original cast and wonderful artists/friends, Megan Stutesman, Sean O'Bryan, Christopher Engelbrecht, and Michael O'Neal Jr., are all willing and able to participate and perform in the festival.
But as recent graduates and aspiring working artists, our budget is limited, so we are asking our friends and community for financial support to take on this project and take our big artistic leap.
Your financial support would help us cover the costs of:
Airfare: $1,500
Costumes: $50
Props: $180
Rehearsal Space: $70
Any donation is very much appreciated!
Photos by Kevin Kwong/The DailyVideo by Jeff Curtis
Organizer
Imana Gunawan
Organizer
Seattle, WA