Dare to Dance Festival performance - St. Louis!

Hi!

My name is Alyssa Brutlag and I am a freelance choreographer based in Toledo, Ohio. I create contemporary and jazz dance works in all different settings - music videos, musicals, competitive dance, dance teams, and concert dance etc. As a freelancer, I am typically hired by an organization to complete a vision with their team of dancers and designers. It is an incredibly fulfilling and challenging career when moving from project to project.

This year I challenged myself to create something through my own initiative - a hard, daunting, and expensive task. I wanted to challenge myself to be my own team of directors, designers and administrators. For my new work "If Tears Were Diamonds" I wanted to support local professional dancers that have inspired me for years, pay them a fair wage for their art and contribution, create something unique from nothing together, and perform it somewhere to a unique audience. I am proud to say we have built a beautiful dance and it has been selected to perform for the first time ever at MADCO's Dare to Dance festival in St. Louis, Missouri this January.

I am asking for funds to support rehearsal and performance wages for 4 artists, modest costume costs, and help covering the travel/lodging costs related to the trip from Toledo to St. Louis. I have included a cost breakdown below.

You can catch a taste of the new work here :) and if you donate I will be sure to send a free full video link for your viewing pleasure. I cannot wait to share this with St. Louis audiences and YOU!

I hope you find it in your heart to support local dance this year as live performance is a gift I work hard to give back to this community. Any dollar will help and is greatly appreciated by this group of artists <3

Love,

Alyssa Brutlag

www.alyssabrutlag.com

For more incentive - I will be offering 1 donor/dancer a FREE SOLO for the 2024-2025 season (for ages 6-18 - jazz or contemporary - $500 value!!) to anyone who donates $25 or more. If you would like to enter the drawing for you or your child please type "SOLO!" in the words of support or comment on Facebook/message Alyssa and I will draw on January 14th.

Cost Breakdown

4 artist stipends for rehearsal and performances - $2000

Driving costs - $200

2 nights Airbnb for 4 artists - ~$400

4 food stipends for performance weekend - $400

Costume funds for 3 costumes - $300

Total - $3300

Any extra funds will be dispersed as artist wages - it is always my goal to help provide opportunities that support sustainable careers in dance.