Fall/Winter Mini Series
The last year has been tough for dancers who desperately want to be back on stage with live audiences. But rather than looking at this time as merely restrictive, DDI chooses to see this as an opportunity for growth. Choreographers have become film directors, dancers have become editors, and both our homes and the streets of Dayton have become our stages. We are continuing to expand the definition of what it means to create dance.
These video productions are made possible by our generous friends and supporters. If you would like to make a donation to DDI, which directly provides opportunities for our dancers, click here.
SLEEP
By Jocelyn Green | November 2020
Music by BJSR // jrnymnproductions.com
“I wanted to use local Dayton musician BJSR for my piece. I was sitting in my bed going through his music when I came across ‘Sleep’. Something about the somewhat pop yet funky sound really resonated. I started moving around in my bedroom to it, and that’s when I knew what I wanted to create.”
—Jocelyn Green; choreographer & DDI founder
SANKOFA
By Quentin Apollovaughn Sledge | December 2020
Music: Canon by Dimon Gattamorta
Dancers: Devin Baker, Alexandria Flewellen, Isaac Jones, Robert Pulido
Videographer/Editing: Michael Green
Location: Kai Yoga Fairborn
"Sankofa is an attempt at solving the issue of disconnection in our modern age. I imagine that by returning to our roots to retrieve the connectedness we have lost in pursuit of material happiness, we can begin to reconnect to ourselves, our communities, and our planet. Sankofa is a symbol of the Akan people of Ghana, which means "go back and fetch it." It is a reminder that our past contains within it the understanding of our present and key to our future." —Quentin Apollovaughn Sledge, choreographer
CANVAS
By Claire Mitchell | December 2020
Music: Alicia Enstrom
Artwork: “Monster Cries” by Scott A. Carlson {SAC Art & Design}
Dancers: Miranda Dafoe, Vanessa Wolf, Claire Mitchell
Videographer: Margot Aknin
Location: Baudendistel Farm
“I was inspired to create ‘Canvas’ by DDI’s mission of collaboration with other artists. I thought it would be interesting to have live painting alongside dance. Scott’s beautiful work ‘Monster Cries’, named after the music by Alicia Enstrom, shows the beauty and passion also expressed by the dancers.” —Claire Mitchell, choreographer
I’LL UNDERSTAND
By Isaac Jones | January 2021
Music: “I’ll Understand” by Roza
Dancers: Isaac Jones, Margot Aknin
Videographer: Jonathan Harris
Editing: Margot Aknin
Location: The Grande Hall at Liberty Tower
"For me, this piece is about how love sometimes means letting go, and how knowing that doesn't make it any easier. I think that is something people often face, whether it be about a person or another aspect of their life.” --Isaac Jones, choreographer
SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE
by Margot Aknin | March 2021
Dancers: Miranda Dafoe and Devin Baker
Music: “Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James
Video/Editing: Margot Aknin
Location: Reza’s Dayton
“This piece was inspired by my favorite music: the great 50s-60s jazz singers like Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. I love the way that music from this era immediately transports you into a daydream-like state—an inevitable happy mood.”
—Margot Aknin, choreographer