Lula Washington's Master Plan
It’s been a banner year for Lula Washington Dance Theatre, as the Los Angeles-based troupe celebrates its 45th anniversary.
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The Guggenheim Museum’s beloved behind-the-scenes New York dance series, Works & Process, was founded in 1984 by philanthropist Mary Sharp Cronson.
“The story goes that the Guggenheim approached her and said, ‘Will you underwrite a performing arts series?’” said Duke Dang, executive director of Works & Process. “She had been on the board of New York City Ballet. Her brother, Peter Jay Sharp, was the chair of Juilliard. Her mother was the board chair of Martha Graham in the ‘70s. It makes sense that the Guggenheim would approach her. But she wasn’t just going to write a check and hope that the work got done. She said, ‘I’m creating a nonprofit so that I can make sure that artists are paid.’ She recognized her privilege, having grown up in a family where she was always invited to a dress rehearsal or to visit the studio or given a chance to meet artists at a reception. She wasn’t interested in creating another performing arts series. She wanted to share this experience she had had in her life with anyone who was willing to buy a ticket. And I continue to tell the story because these two principles still guide us: One, artists are always paid. And two, sharing the creative process.”
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It’s been a banner year for Lula Washington Dance Theatre, as the Los Angeles-based troupe celebrates its 45th anniversary.
FREE ARTICLETime to step on the moving staircase once more—“Escalator,” an evening showcasing new choreographic work curated by the Stephanie Lake Company, in association with the Abbotsford Convent, is back.
FREE ARTICLETiler Peck is wending her way through the airport with a smile on her face. She’s on her way from the Vail Dance Festival to New York to rehearse for the Jerome Robbins festival she’s curating and performing in this August at the Joyce Theater, a beloved, bijou downtown dance venue.
Continua a leggereThe BAAND Together Dance Festival was created in 2021 to reintroduce dance to New York City after the pandemic.
Continua a leggere
What a great interview Candice! I was a participant in early W&P shows when Duke was pretty green, but even then his intelligence, enthusiasm, and work ethic were as clear as day. Kudos Duke for your astonishing and wonderful accomplishments!