Ballet Manifesto
Donation protected
This year has been a year of doing things that scare the crap out of me! I left my 14 year career, I made history with the English National Ballet, and I am in the process of making a feature length dance documentary.
I have had many people inquire about if I would start my own company or not. With the struggles I have faced, I would like to make a classical ballet company that is inclusive of everyone and addresses the rigid gender binary roles in classical ballet! I will call the company "Ballet Manifesto". I am enclosing sections of the overview of the company below. If you would like the entire document, please feel free to email me at [email redacted]
I intend to incorporate myself and become a registered nonprofit organization by the end of the year. This pends on how much public interest and contributions are made!
______________________________________________________________________________
Summary
Ballet Manifesto’s message is to challenge gender binary roles within classical ballet. The company intends to become the most inclusive classical ballet company that exists. The diversity of the company will have limit and will be based upon the dancer themselves, and not by labels. By using the same classical ballets and steps, but switching up the gender and sexuality of the characters, it gives a deeper and more complex storyline that is more relevant to todays social issues.
Social Impact
Although the focus of the company is dancing, there are numerous social statements that will be made simply by the adding the elements of different sexuality and gender to these normally rigid gender binary classical roles. Not only will the classical ballets be slightly modified to project issues that the LGBTQ+ demographic face, but it will also make the storylines have more contemporary plots. Furthermore, in tailoring these roles to the individual, this will help bring up lots of discussion about the possibilities of who can dance what role in a traditional ballet company.
Issues in the Dance World
-Homosexual dancers face scrutiny for being too masculine or feminine. Homosexuals only have options to dance in heterosexuals roles.
-There are no roles for people who are gender non binary or transgender.
- There are few classical ballet companies that accept, or would even consider, a dancer who identifies as gender fluid, gender queer, gender non binary, transgender, or prefers to dance cross gender roles.
-Dancers often don’t get jobs due to their body type, or look. The women must look feminine and the men must look masculine.
Where your money will be used
-Initial branding of Ballet Manifesto, including website, logo, social media, etc.
-Ballet Manifesto's Fundraising Gala in New York City, which will act as it's inaugural performance.
-Costuming, Rehearsal, Dancer Salary, and Theatre Rental
-You will receive the company's full overview packet, which includes the vision of the first production.
FAQs
Are we a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3)?
We have not registered, yet. If enough money is raised, that will be our first step. We already have 3 Board Members ready to assume their responsibilities. The board consists of a financial advisor, a lawyer, and a publicist, making the board of directors diverse and prepared to look at the organization from all aspects.
Will the company be inclusive of people outside of the LGBTQ+ community?
Yes! It is our mission to be inclusive of all individuals, and to create productions that allow everyone to share the stage and be who they are.
Have you applied for grants and public funding?
We have researched extensively into grants and public funding. This is one of the reasons we haven't become incorporated, yet. It may be more beneficial for Chase Johnsey to begin Ballet Manifesto as a dance project, then progress into a nonprofit organization.
In grant seeking, it is important that you have lots of material to show your goals and vision. This GOFUNDME will enable the company to create it's first performance to have footage, photography, public interest, and create it's nonprofit status in order to qualify for grants, as the application become open in the new year.
I have had many people inquire about if I would start my own company or not. With the struggles I have faced, I would like to make a classical ballet company that is inclusive of everyone and addresses the rigid gender binary roles in classical ballet! I will call the company "Ballet Manifesto". I am enclosing sections of the overview of the company below. If you would like the entire document, please feel free to email me at [email redacted]
I intend to incorporate myself and become a registered nonprofit organization by the end of the year. This pends on how much public interest and contributions are made!
______________________________________________________________________________
Summary
Ballet Manifesto’s message is to challenge gender binary roles within classical ballet. The company intends to become the most inclusive classical ballet company that exists. The diversity of the company will have limit and will be based upon the dancer themselves, and not by labels. By using the same classical ballets and steps, but switching up the gender and sexuality of the characters, it gives a deeper and more complex storyline that is more relevant to todays social issues.
Social Impact
Although the focus of the company is dancing, there are numerous social statements that will be made simply by the adding the elements of different sexuality and gender to these normally rigid gender binary classical roles. Not only will the classical ballets be slightly modified to project issues that the LGBTQ+ demographic face, but it will also make the storylines have more contemporary plots. Furthermore, in tailoring these roles to the individual, this will help bring up lots of discussion about the possibilities of who can dance what role in a traditional ballet company.
Issues in the Dance World
-Homosexual dancers face scrutiny for being too masculine or feminine. Homosexuals only have options to dance in heterosexuals roles.
-There are no roles for people who are gender non binary or transgender.
- There are few classical ballet companies that accept, or would even consider, a dancer who identifies as gender fluid, gender queer, gender non binary, transgender, or prefers to dance cross gender roles.
-Dancers often don’t get jobs due to their body type, or look. The women must look feminine and the men must look masculine.
Where your money will be used
-Initial branding of Ballet Manifesto, including website, logo, social media, etc.
-Ballet Manifesto's Fundraising Gala in New York City, which will act as it's inaugural performance.
-Costuming, Rehearsal, Dancer Salary, and Theatre Rental
-You will receive the company's full overview packet, which includes the vision of the first production.
FAQs
Are we a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3)?
We have not registered, yet. If enough money is raised, that will be our first step. We already have 3 Board Members ready to assume their responsibilities. The board consists of a financial advisor, a lawyer, and a publicist, making the board of directors diverse and prepared to look at the organization from all aspects.
Will the company be inclusive of people outside of the LGBTQ+ community?
Yes! It is our mission to be inclusive of all individuals, and to create productions that allow everyone to share the stage and be who they are.
Have you applied for grants and public funding?
We have researched extensively into grants and public funding. This is one of the reasons we haven't become incorporated, yet. It may be more beneficial for Chase Johnsey to begin Ballet Manifesto as a dance project, then progress into a nonprofit organization.
In grant seeking, it is important that you have lots of material to show your goals and vision. This GOFUNDME will enable the company to create it's first performance to have footage, photography, public interest, and create it's nonprofit status in order to qualify for grants, as the application become open in the new year.
Organizer
Chase Johnsey
Organizer
New York, NY