Dance Space Finds Rental Space - studio finds a new location in New York City - Brief Article

NEW YORK CITY--Dancers love to be on the move, whether it's from city to city, studio to studio, or stage right to stage left. Dance organizations, on the other hand, try to avoid relocating every few years. But such was the obstacle that the fifteen-year-old Dance Space recently faced, after its lease at 622 Broadway was abruptly terminated. The downtown dance studio made an offer to buy a building on the corner of Avenue A and Houston Street, but the deal fell through shortly before papers were signed. Pressured by time and with limited funds, Dance Space opted in July to lease again, for a two- to three-year "interim period," this time on the second floor at 451 Broadway. Classes were moved to Hunter College for about six weeks this summer while the new space, a former textile firm, was renovated.

The new location, which opened in September, is similar to the former one, with five studios, administrative offices, and dressing rooms (showers are a welcome addition). The downtown address is also important, says codirector Jana Hicks, because the studio caters to the more modern dance-oriented downtown dance community.

It may be called Dance Space, but, according to Hicks, the organization's most important characteristic is not the facility but the unique and close-knit community of faculty and students. "The faculty is not here just to give class," Hicks explains. "Every individual student is important. We try to teach that no one is really limited by their body, that everyone can work within the framework of their individual self, and grow and dance from there." The faculty encourages students to sample all of the disciplines offered, which range from "body work" to traditional ballet, jazz, and modern to world dance styles such as samba and African. Students are also encouraged to choreograph and present their work at workshops.

Hicks adds that the ever-expanding organization ideally would like at least eight studios and its own theater. Dance Space directors still would prefer to own rather than rent, and estimate that they need to raise $2.5 million to finance the purchase of a building. So far, fund-raising is progressing slowly but steadily. Several benefit concerts, including one at Seattle's Velocity Studios, hosted by Dance Space alumni, have brought in money; and corporate gifts, student contributions, and grants have also started trickling in.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Dance Magazine, Inc.
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