Intrepid Dance Company
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Kickstarter For Intrepid Dance Company
How do we find it in ourselves to endure when someone we love causes us pain? How do we move on from the trauma of the past? HER explores these questions. It is the story of a boy, his sister, and her mental illness.
About Her
HER begins with Derek Piquette: choreographer, teacher, and dancer. The idea for the show came to him in a quiet moment in the midst of a busy time in his life. He had been a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance and was invited to join the show’s touring company. While on the road, he had some time to himself. He started thinking about what he wanted to do next, and then it hit him. He wanted to take on the challenge of creating a show from the ground up. His life story would be the inspiration.
He talked with his fiancé Mitchell Jackson. Together they expanded on Derek’s initial idea, deciding to go beyond one show. They founded the Intrepid Dance Company which will feature works developed and choreographed by Derek and Mitchell. Intrepid will enable them to share their own stories and creative vision, while also providing professional dancers with opportunities to showcase their talents.
HER is their first production. It is a deeply personal and intimate family drama told through dance. Set in Massachusetts, the show focuses on Derek’s family and his personal history. At a young age, he and his sister were both in need of a stable family home. After living in foster care, they were adopted by the same loving family but life was very different for each of them. For him, life was mostly content. For her, everyday living was a struggle. Suffering from bipolar and reactive attachment disorders, she acted out. Her difficulties had a profound impact on the family. Even though everyone understood that there was mental illness and personal trauma behind her behaviour, they were still hurt and scarred by her actions.
HER is dance as catharsis. It is Derek’s way of coming to terms with the past and finding forgiveness.
The Show
For this show, Derek wanted the audience to feel they were looking in on life rather than just seeing it on stage. To create this mood, he chose a small, intimate venue. He selected a cast who could convey the intensity of the story, through strong dance skills and acting talent.
Donations to the show will pay for essentials, including:
studio and venue rentals
props
costumes
a stage manager
lighting design
music
payment to the cast
programs and advertising
The show is of immense importance to Derek, but it also has a larger purpose. HER will raise awareness of the impact of mental illness while also fostering understanding and empathy toward those who live with the torment and pain it causes. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
Risks and Challenges
As with any start-up, the Intrepid Dance Company requires financing to get our first show off the ground. Funding for arts organizations is hard to come by so financial support from individual donors is critical. Money raised through this campaign will cover the costs of HER and help us establish Intrepid as a dance company. We will build on the success of HER and continue to make a difference for dancers, by giving them opportunities to perform, and for audiences, by inviting them to experience unique life stories through dance.
Video Created By: Fourth Frame Films
How do we find it in ourselves to endure when someone we love causes us pain? How do we move on from the trauma of the past? HER explores these questions. It is the story of a boy, his sister, and her mental illness.
About Her
HER begins with Derek Piquette: choreographer, teacher, and dancer. The idea for the show came to him in a quiet moment in the midst of a busy time in his life. He had been a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance and was invited to join the show’s touring company. While on the road, he had some time to himself. He started thinking about what he wanted to do next, and then it hit him. He wanted to take on the challenge of creating a show from the ground up. His life story would be the inspiration.
He talked with his fiancé Mitchell Jackson. Together they expanded on Derek’s initial idea, deciding to go beyond one show. They founded the Intrepid Dance Company which will feature works developed and choreographed by Derek and Mitchell. Intrepid will enable them to share their own stories and creative vision, while also providing professional dancers with opportunities to showcase their talents.
HER is their first production. It is a deeply personal and intimate family drama told through dance. Set in Massachusetts, the show focuses on Derek’s family and his personal history. At a young age, he and his sister were both in need of a stable family home. After living in foster care, they were adopted by the same loving family but life was very different for each of them. For him, life was mostly content. For her, everyday living was a struggle. Suffering from bipolar and reactive attachment disorders, she acted out. Her difficulties had a profound impact on the family. Even though everyone understood that there was mental illness and personal trauma behind her behaviour, they were still hurt and scarred by her actions.
HER is dance as catharsis. It is Derek’s way of coming to terms with the past and finding forgiveness.
The Show
For this show, Derek wanted the audience to feel they were looking in on life rather than just seeing it on stage. To create this mood, he chose a small, intimate venue. He selected a cast who could convey the intensity of the story, through strong dance skills and acting talent.
Donations to the show will pay for essentials, including:
studio and venue rentals
props
costumes
a stage manager
lighting design
music
payment to the cast
programs and advertising
The show is of immense importance to Derek, but it also has a larger purpose. HER will raise awareness of the impact of mental illness while also fostering understanding and empathy toward those who live with the torment and pain it causes. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
Risks and Challenges
As with any start-up, the Intrepid Dance Company requires financing to get our first show off the ground. Funding for arts organizations is hard to come by so financial support from individual donors is critical. Money raised through this campaign will cover the costs of HER and help us establish Intrepid as a dance company. We will build on the success of HER and continue to make a difference for dancers, by giving them opportunities to perform, and for audiences, by inviting them to experience unique life stories through dance.
Video Created By: Fourth Frame Films
Organizer
Lisa Morris-Hupe
Organizer
Markham East, ON
