Dance Business Bootcamps




Mission Statements:


What are you doing?

Who is going to benefit?

Why should I care?


One sentence is almost always better.

(Name of company) –> active verb.


Making strategic decisions

What is our plan for success?

Intentional + Consistent = Strategy




3. Decide


Crowdfunding Perks

Campaigns that offer giving perks receive 194% more funding.

How much to ask for and how many to have:

think about the size of your roster

The average donation amount is $75-80

Most common: $20-25


How many perks to include?

7-10; try introducing perks a little at a time

Types of Perks:




4. Something Personal: personal video, product etc.


Tie your giving levels to your perks.


Team Assembly


Typical Process


2. Bespoke Posting




-ask them what our company does

-when has your set of skills saved the day?

-what everyday skill are you better at than anyone else?


Dance/USA Conference



Major themes that came up this conference included:

What is the social responsibility of dance?

How do we keep up with the constant evolution of society?

How do we finance dance?

Here are some of the notes from the opening plenary.

Screenshot (34)Screenshot (35)











Stay tuned for more notes from the breakout sessions.

Who deserves an award?




Modern Dance in the Mainstream

Tuesday Tunes

Many of us have heard the song “Chandelier” by Sia, or have seen the infamous music video.

It’s not often that we see much contemporary dance in pop culture, but this was an exception. “It’s contemporary and haunting and strange and people couldn’t get enough.” Choreographer Ryan Heffington said in an interview with NPR writer Eric Ducker. His talent of bringing modern dance to the mainstream got him nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year and Best Choreography, and in the end, won for Best Choreography. Though this wasn’t the first time that Heffington was acknowledged for his work. He was also heavily acclaimed for  his choreography in the music video “We Exist”, a song from Arcade Fire. Also, he has worked with stars such as Aloe Blacc and Florence and the Machine.


MFA Mondays



You have paid your money.

You have waited in line questioning, and re-questioning the decision you have just made.

You step out onto the platform until they call your number.

Sitting, waist bar pulled tight, pressing into your guts until you hear the click.

Your inner self screams, “WAIT! I’m not ready!”

No one is listening because the cart begins to glide forward and then up, and up, and… click, click, click! There is no escape. You only have two options. The first, close your eyes and scream or open them wide and take in the view on the way down.

I absolutely dislike roller coasters, but the adrenaline and anticipation has a way of reminding me that I am alive. A re-launch can feel similar. You have taken the time to re-flect and re-evaluate. Now you have two options:

photo by Lynn Lane
photo by Lynn Lane

1) blindly continue on into the next hoping you hit the bulls eye or

2) take all the information gathered and propel yourself into the unknown and unexpected with an opportunity to do better than you did before.

At some point, you just have to enjoy the ride or you may end up like me questioning why you started in the first place. Starting to sound a little cliché, right? Then why can such a concept seem so unacceptable? Does ‘enjoying the ride’ mean less work? Does it mean you have all the answers? Again, I profess that receiving my M.F.A did not leave me with a secret portal to all the answers, but it did provide a few profound AHA moments of wisdom that encourage me to continue to learn and grow not only as an artist, but as a member of a much larger community of creatives.

A creative process does not seem to be a linear path, but rather a circular one. Constantly in motion moving from one idea to the next, the RE-process may be what links them all together causing the path to appear linear. I find the one thing that AHA moments and the RE-process have in common is the risk involved. The duh! stick strikes, you have a choice to make and with each choice comes a risk of being right or wrong, good or bad, the best or not the best. No matter how scary a choice may be, I choose to walk into it with my eyes wide open and my hands trembling because the beginning is the best part.

When was the last time you took a personal or professional risk? Was it worth it?







Why you should go see the Barn Storm Dance Fest

Links We Like Performances/Screenings

Houston!  I am really pumped– lemme tell you why.

barn storm2

I just watched the second weekend of Barn Storm Dance Fest, and last weekend I was able to see Program 1.  Barn Storm Dance Fest is a three-weekend dance festival produced by Dance Source Houston– Houston’s dance service organization.  Dance Source Houston has exploded in the last couple of years.  They have taken over The Barn (formerly Barnevelder Performing Arts Complex), and worked to raise the funding to subsidize rentals for artists and arts organizations; They have started an Artist in Residency Program (AIR) for three artists each year to use the space to develop new work; They now offer Micro Grants for production costs (Frame Dance is eternally thankful!); and they produce the Barn Storm Dance Festival to showcase dance from Houston and other Texas cities.

What strikes me (as someone who is not participating as an artist in this festival) is the importance for dancers and choreographers to convene.   It has been special to watch pieces from veteran and emerging choreographers on the same show.  This is very valuable for the health of dance in our city.  The shows have been running flawlessly, and lit beautifully.  I imagine you’ll have your favorites, some that don’t touch you as poignantly, and others that will push you a little as a viewer.  That’s the beauty of the festival format– you get to see so much.  I walk away from the first two programs proud of our city and all of the dance in it!  Thank you, Dance Source Houston, for bringing these artists together and producing such an extensive festival, and thank you to the artists for making dance.  You have two more chances to see it this weekend and a full weekend for Program 3.  Tickets and info here.








multigen postcard








Working with Choreographers: A Composer’s Viewpoint

Tuesday Tunes

Tuesday Tunes“I discovered that working with choreographers and dancers was challenging not only from a technical standpoint, but also that the various limitations forced me into artistic directions that I would have never explored otherwise.”  Rob Deemer describes his experience and personal gain from working with choreographers.  His work with University of Texas helped to create the American Repertory Ensemble, a collaboration of dancers and musicians.

Read the article about him HERE.

Where’s the Easy Button?

MFA Mondays
photo by Lynn Lane
photo by Lynn Lane



Lets take a moment to review my graduate school AHA moments.




photo by Lynn Lane
photo by Lynn Lane






