ODC Founder and Artistic Director Brenda Way reflects on the spirit of the times
In this volatile political season, I am driven to reflect more intensely on what we can do to promote a different social and emotional milieu. At ODC, we remain deeply committed to inclusion, inspiration, and connection, to serving ascendant and accomplished artists, youth and movers of all ages, and the gathering of community. Among many other things, ODC has become a safe home in the storm. We hold true to our optimism and compassion.
Let me share a short story from the road.
At UCLA last spring, performing our evening length work, boulders and bones, we hit one of those memorable and horrible performance snags. At the most energetic and physically dangerous section of the piece, a battery died and Zoe Keating’s rousing music simply dropped out. The dancers were hurtling through space, the dust was flying, the energy was bursting, and all in total silence. KT and I watched helplessly from the house. But no one on stage missed a beat or dropped a body. Six minutes of explosive ensemble dancing in absolute silence. It was breathtaking and when I think about it, thrillingly metaphoric. May we all continue to dance with determination, conviction and spirit through the tempest of modern times.
Help us do just that. Please contribute what you can to help us serve “the better angels of our nature”. Let a spirit of generosity be our mutual legacy.
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Thank you,
Brenda Way
ODC Artistic Director & Founder
“Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
- Abraham Lincoln