Founded by choreographer Teagan Reed and Produced by HAVEN Global Sanctuary for Dance, the pro.noun dance festival (#Pronoun2021) will take place virtually March 22-27, 2021 in “celebration of LGBTQIAP+ identifying dance artists, advocating for a gender-inclusive dance future”. Working together, HAVEN and Teagan have organized a week-long queer dance celebration that involves a collection of somatic and technique classes, educational seminars, and a creative process to assist dancer’s age 16+ with previous movement experience in developing their own material, finding their individual artistic voice, all “while self-actualizing spiritually, intellectually, and physically”.
Dancers are welcome to attend individual classes ($15 drop-in classes) or purchase a class pass or buy a $250 festival all-access pass with unlimited access. The week will conclude with a showcase performance. This virtual festival experience is also a pilot program for an in-person festival scheduled to occur in Chicago during the spring of 2022.
Teagan Reed (he/she/they) is a Chicago based dancer, choreographer, and teacher. They trained at Pinellas County Center for the Arts, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and the Hubbard Street Profesional Program, as well as numerous intensive programs such as The School at Jacob’s Pillow, Peridance, and BODYTRAFFIC, to list only a few. In 2016, Teagan started a process-based movement project called Ballet Naked. The project was started by speaking to my peers in college about what performing naked would mean to them. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, Teagan is offering donation based zoom classes that are clothing and camera optional. The classes are an improvisational ballet class where we stimulate our autonomous creativity at the barre, or chair, or wall, or shelf. For more information visit www.Balletnaked.com.
Via the festival’s press release: “This week-long queer dance celebration advocates for a gender inclusive dance future. Join a community of artists who create outside toxic heteronormativity and work to create queer-affirming, anti-homophobic, and intersectional accepting spaces. With the intention of increasing access and visibility to artists working at the forefront of creating representational danceworks for LGBTQ+ people….”
TIMES (listed in Pacific Time)
8-9:00 am Somatic attunement
9-10:30 am Technique study
11 am-12:30 pm Creative process rehearsal
5-7:00 pm Educational seminar
Prices range from $15 drop-in classes to $250 festival all-access passes with unlimited access. However, “HAVEN and pro.noun dance festival feel strongly that no one should be turned away because of financial constraints. Full and partial scholarships are available! BIPOC Trans and genderqueer folks who may be struggling financially due to the global pandemic are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid.” For pricing details and how to apply for financial aid click HERE. To register, simply email: Skye@thehaven.dance
For more information about Teagan Reed, festival classes, and see the roster of master LGBTQIAP+ dancemakers, click HERE.
To learn more about HAVEN Global Sanctuary for Dance – led by dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur and visionary Lillian Barbeito, click HERE.
Compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Promotional flyer for pro.noun dance festival.
