By Kathy Dunn Hamrick

Austin is a city of creatives and, as such, is home to many dance companies, freelance choreographers and teachers. In fact, there are often multiple dance performances on any given weekend. The best way to get involved in Austin’s dance scene is to take class and attend performances, and then directly contact choreographers, companies, teachers and other dancers for more information.   

Since the closing of Dance Umbrella several years ago, Austin has been without a service organization dedicated solely to dance, which means it’s sometimes hard find out what’s going on and where. This is one area that could use some improvement.

Meanwhile, thank goodness for social media. The Facebook page, Dance In Austin, posts information on dance performances, grants, auditions, jobs, festivals and other opportunities for dancers. Austin Community Modern is another popular page. More online sources are listed below.

Exorbitant rent increases have caused several of our studios and theaters to close over the past few years. While many companies still present a concert season in traditional theaters, other choreographers band together to present group shows in converted studio spaces or outdoor spaces. Teachers without a permanent studio space offer classes and workshops in technique, gaga, contact improvisation, mixed ability, authentic movement, and choreography whenever and wherever they can.

For a dance community lacking two important resources (organized representation and space), we are an incredibly large, industrious and prolific group.

COMPANIES

• ARCOS Dance
• Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre
• Austin Allegro Dance Company
• Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance
• Ballet East
• BLiPSWiTCH
• Chaddick Dance Theater
• Circuitous Dance/Kate Warren
• Dance Theatre X
• Diverse Space Dance Theatre
• Ellen Bartel Dance Collective
• Forklift Danceworks
• Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company
• Nuna Maana
• Ready/Set/Go
• Shay Ishii Dance Company
• Sling Dance Project
• Verge Dance Company

INDEPENDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS

This is a short list and not entirely representative of the many independent choreographers in Austin:

• Deborah Hay
• Rosalyn Nasky
• Heloise Gold
• Julie Nathanielsz
• Alyson Dolan
• Lorn MacDougal
• Karin Carlson
• Sharon Marroquin

Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company; photo by Lynn Lane

PLACES TO TAKE CLASS

Butler Dance and Fitness Center: This is Ballet Austin’s community school. Current contemporary/modern faculty includes Alex Miller, Artistic Director of the collective BLiPSWiTCH, Dane Burch and Lucy Wilson. Located in the same downtown complex is AustinVentures Studio Theater, Austin’s only theater designed specifically for dance.

Café Dance: This modern dance studio has been in operation for over 20 years. In addition to offering classes in modern dance and yoga, the studio can be converted into an informal performance space. Modern dance teachers are Kate Warren, Kathy Dunn Hamrick and Alyson Dolan. Resident dance companies are Circuitous Dance/Kate Warren and Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company.

First Street Dance Studio: This studio/performance space is co-owned by Cheryl Chaddick, Artistic Director of Chaddick Dance Theater, and Katherine Hodges, Artistic Director of Ready/Set/Go. Both Chaddick and Ellen Bartel, Artistic Director of Ellen Bartel Dance Collective, regularly teach modern dance classes here. First Street also hosts many performances throughout the year.

OTHER SPACES/OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

• Austin School of Classical Ballet
• Balance
• Tapestry
• University of Texas

Erica Gionfriddo and Curtis Uhlman, Co-Artistic Directors of ARCOS Dance, teach contemporary classes and workshops in various spaces throughout the year.

Lauren Tietz, of Earthskybodyworks, presents workshops in contact improvisation and authentic movement in various spaces.

Amy Morrow’s TBXS – Toolbox Series provides specialized workshops for artists in various spaces.

LOCAL (OR NEARBY) COLLEGES WITH DANCE PROGRAMS

• Austin Community College
• Texas State University (San Marcos)
• The University of Texas

FESTIVALS

Austin Dance Festival: This annual spring festival presents the work of modern dance companies and independent choreographers from Austin and beyond.

FronteraFest: Austin’s fringe festival lasts five weeks and presents alternative, offbeat work. The focus is on theater, but it also includes dance.

Fusebox: Every April, this five-day hybrid art festival presents works of art from a variety of different mediums, from all over the world.

LOCAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DANCE

The City of Austin

The Creative Fund

The Texas Commission on the Arts

HOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT DANCE EVENTS

Facebook: Dance In Austin, Austin Community Modern

Austinchronicle.com

NowPlayingAustin.com

Austin360.com

Do512.com

Artsandculturetx.com

Movineasy.com

Circuitous Dance/Kate Warren; photo by Brett Buchanan

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

The opportunities are somewhat favorable if you want to teach for private dance studios or after-school programs. Word-of-mouth and social media are the two best ways to find out about teaching positions in Austin, which is why it is crucial to take class, meet other dancers, talk to company directors and studio owners and let everyone know that you are looking for a position as a dance teacher.

Private Dance Studios: There are too many dance studios in Austin and surrounding areas to list here. However, they often hire dance teachers in late summer and early fall.

Outreach and After-School Programs:

Forklift Danceworks: Leaps and Bounds; Teaching artist program

Leap of Joy

Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company: DEA Youth Dance Program; Move It

Other Arts Organizations to Check Out:

Creative Action

MindPop

Texas Association for Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance

Texas Dance Educators’ Association

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Related posts:

Building a Dance Company: On the Subject of Your Audience (by Kathy Dunn Hamrick)

Twelve City Guides for Dancers

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