Help Jordyn Lemire with her first Tap Dance Show!!

Hi!

My name is Jordyn Lemire, and if you know me then you know I like to make music with my feet. Tap dancing has been my passion for most of my life and I've decided to pursue it professionally. This past year, my application for the creative residency program offered by Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, AB was approved! I've chosen to use these 89 hours of free studio time to produce my first full length concert. In order to bring this work to the stage, we need your help.

THE PROJECT

My time in residence will be used to explore a new, full-length show with nine tap dancers residing in the West Coast of Canada. The work is centred around the concept of exploring commonalities of the human experience; important milestones, relationships, losses, grief, fear, accomplishment, waiting for those a-ha! moments when they may never come. These significances will be explored through the outlets of both movement and sound. The Legendary Dianne Walker was speaking in Calgary and said, "your rent is always due on the first of the month". This inspired me to explore the ways in which we all must make our ends meet. Time stands still for no one, and we must continue moving forward regardless of fear or financial constraints.

THE SCHEDULE

March 18-March 22: Week one of residency, I will also be setting choreography on the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble (dir. Tasha Lawson) students to include them in the finale of my show.

May 6-May 17: Week two and three of residency, the full cast will work towards the finalization of the show.

SHOWINGS AND DEVELOPMENT

Sunday May, 19th - Calgary, AB - Full cast performs an excerpt of the work with an artist talk back, as part of the National Tap Day Concert, produced by Tasha Lawson & Tri-Tone Productions (matinee and evening performances)

Sunday, May 26, Vancouver, BC - Vancouver cast will perform an excerpt of the work, as as part of the National Tap Day Concert, produced by West Coast Tap Collective (evening performance)

FULL LENGTH CONCERT PRESENTATIONS

Phase two of the project will bring the full work to fruition, with two live concert presentations in Calgary and Vancouver. Exact dates pending.

WHAT YOUR CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTS

A project of such magnitude can be financially daunting. I am applying for arts funding grants in addition to our go fund me campaign. Hard costs will include the following:

$7500 - airfare for artists (during residency and shows, all dancers will need to commute to Calgary and Vancouver for full length performances)

$5800 - accommodations for out of town dancers ( billets and family will be utilized where possible)

$3000 plus - theatre rentals

$2750 plus - theatre staff

$2500 - wood tap dance flooring rentals and transport

$450 plus - videographer/promotional material

WHY IS YOUR CONTRIBUTION IMPORTANT?

Carving out a career as a performing artist/ creator is not an easy path. We must create our own opportunities. A major life goal of mine is to create concert work that engages both tap dance artists and audiences alike. This project will establish a cross regional company, providing a platform for emerging Canadian tap professionals to foster, develop and express their talent and creative voices. In addition, my hope is to expand the awareness of the art form in Canada with audience development.

ABOUT THE CAST

The artists selected are a combination of alumni of the School at Jacob’s Pillow, former students of Tasha Lawson/Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble and the Vancouver Tap Dance Society. Many are actively teaching in their communities. Each are highly dedicated to their craft and have trained with the likes of Dianne Walker, Tasha Lawson, Jason Samuels Smith, Jessie Sawyers, Leah Silva, Anthony Morigerato, Sarah Reich, Danny Nielsen, Dianne Montgomery, Lisa La Touche and Derick Grant, among others. Performance credits span North America, Germany and Spain. They are brilliant individuals, lovers of this art form, and hardworking creatives that I trust to commit whole heartedly.

Dancers include:

Lauren Care (AB), Jeffrey Dawson (BC), Natasha Dawson (BC), Brooke Floyd (AB), Jordyn Lemire (BC), Emily Lightheart (SK), Shreyas Rai (BC), Emma Ritchie (AB), and Luke Stanich (AB).

THANK YOU.

Thank you SO MUCH for your donations. You are supporting the performing arts, tap dance, music, emerging pre-professional artists, and ultimately kids who want to make a difference in the world.

We cannot wait to show you what we create!