Dances for Solidarity is a dance project led by choreographer Sarah Dahnke (sarahdahnke.com). For more than a year, a group of like-minded dancers, artists, activists, and curious people have met weekly to send invitations to people in solitary confinement to perform a specific 10-step movement sequence with the knowledge that others could be performing this dance at the same time. This has created an ongoing dialogue around dance and art between letter writers in NY and prisoners in solitary confinement in other states. Many incarcerated people have incorporated this dance into their routines, found ways to teach it to others in their cell block, and created their own choreography and variations on the sequence. 

I am in the process of creating an evening-length performance that utilizes this movement created by our incarcerated collaborators, and I am seeking dancers who are interested in an investigative and collaborative process of creation. Ideally, dancers would also be interested in participating in letter writing on a semi-regular basis, as it is the best way to become intimately involved with the stories expressed from behind bars. 

We will begin weekly rehearsals in September and will have a mini-residency and show at Brooklyn Studios for Dance in October. There will be ongoing development and creation of this work throughout 2017 as well. 

Interested dancers should attend a DFS letter writing session, happening August 16 and 23 from 6:30-8:30 at Brooklyn Studios for Dance, 210 Lafayette Ave in Brooklyn (inside Cadman Church). Participation in these sessions are open to all (so feel free to bring a friend!), and participants can drop in any time. If it is not possible to attend either of these sessions, but you are still very interested in becoming involved in the project, please email Sarah at dancesforsolidarity@gmail.com. Dancers of color and performers with experience with incarceration (self, family member, educator, etc) are particularly encouraged to join.

An open rehearsal with interested dancers will take place in the coming weeks.