Storyscapes: A Community Approach to Dance Making

OVERVIEW
Storyscapes was a two-part project I created and produced through my company, Satellite Dance.

Part One was a free lecture and dance demonstration at the Hermitage Public Library. This event illustrated how literature can directly and positively influence the performing arts. We read John Kelly’s Can I Join Your Club? and performed a dance inspired by its themes. Audience members were then invited to interpret movement while a youth performer read Friends by Eric Carle. The program lasted one hour.

Part Two was an aerial dance concert hosted by Arc Studios, inspired by personal library experiences. The performance highlighted day-in-the-life stories of library patrons and the free resources they access—told through aerial dance, contemporary movement, and theater. In the spirit of community, audience members were invited to participate in a book exchange, and the Hermitage Public Library set up a mobile station for card sign-ups and resource sharing. The performance ran for one hour and fifteen minutes.

CHALLENGES
Storyscapes was produced on a tight three-month timeline between grant acceptance and final performance, which also overlapped with my recovery from major surgery. To meet these challenges, I implemented a rigorous pre-production schedule, onboarded all collaborators into a shared Google Classroom for centralized communication, and led highly focused, efficient rehearsals.

IMPACT
Storyscapes contributed to community vibrancy by activating public and private spaces with meaningful, site-specific performance. It strengthened partnerships among local artists, public institutions, and community members.

“Storyscapes is a performing arts masterpiece that invites viewers to slow down and truly witness its beauty. It skillfully weaves together diverse narratives, opening our hearts to our shared human experience.”
— Dre H., aerialist and educator

TAKEAWAY
Storyscapes exemplifies the successful integration of my passions: site-specific creation, community engagement, thoughtful project management, and inclusive artistic collaboration. From concept to marketing to execution, it reflects my ability to produce meaningful artistic experiences from start to finish.