Heidi Duckler has created more than 300 original site-specific dance works in cities throughout the Southern California as well as nationally and internationally. She is the Artistic Director and founder of Heidi Duckler Dance (HDD) in Los Angeles and Heidi Duckler Dance/Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Duckler founded HDD in 1985, and since then has become known for her exciting and unconventional works performed in non-traditional places such as inside an abandoned movie theater in LA’s China Town, on tall ships in the LA Harbor, and in other unique settings around the world.

Heidi Duckler

Heidi Duckler

But what is not as widely talked about is the amazing work the company does within communities throughout the Los Angeles area, many of whom lack access to the arts. One of the company’s many outreach programs is called dancemobile that utilizes a yellow Mustang as a portable classroom and performance site. Students participate by exploring and re-imaging their surroundings during workshops led by company members and then, for many, experience their very first live performance with Move Me a dance originally created in 2002. Since being launched in 2013, HDD’s youth arts education programs have served over 10,000 youth and families at over 25 schools and community centers throughout Los Angeles, with an emphasis on low-income communities.

HDD just announced that it will present five days of Move Me workshops with Culver City High School July 20th-24th, culminating in a final student performance + professional HDD performance on Friday July 24th.

As stated in the July 7, 2020 press release sent out by HDD Communications Manager Anna Chang:

The vehicle prompts dancers and community members to explore narratives about mobility from different cultural perspectives and perform stories about living in their own neighborhood. Furthermore, Heidi Duckler Dance explores the theme of mobility through movement and placemaking, as it relates to immigration, refugees, those experiencing homelessness, and those that are differently abled. No longer slated for an in-person performance, HDD has adapted this creation and performance experience to the online space.

Heidi Duckler Dance dancers Rafael Quintas, Nicole Flores, and Alyse Rockett - Photo courtesy of HDD

Heidi Duckler Dance dancers Rafael Quintas, Nicole Flores, and Alyse Rockett – Photo courtesy of HDD

Students from The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Culver City High School will take five days of movement and expression workshops with Heidi Duckler Dance Teaching Artist Rafael Quintas via Zoom. No dance experience is necessary to participate! At the end of the week, students will have created an original performance video showcased at this virtual final performance + talkback with the public. In addition to the student performance, viewers will get a chance to watch a recording of the original Move Me piece performed by company dancers Nicole Flores, Alyse Rockett, and Rafael Quintas.

Rafael Quintas- Lead Teaching Artist - Photo courtesy of HDD

Rafael Quintas- Lead Teaching Artist – Photo courtesy of HDD

This project is made possible in part by the City of Culver City and its Cultural Affairs Commision, with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Culver City Arts Foundation.

Tickets: Free with RSVP

RSVP at: movemecc.eventbrite.com

Details:

What: Move Me Workshops + Performance
Who: Heidi Duckler Dance
When: Workshops: Monday July 20th – Friday July 24th. Performance: Friday July 24th at 5pm PDT
Where: Zoom

To learn more about Heidi Duckler Dance, click HERE.


Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.

Featured image: Heidi Duckler Dance – Move Me – Photo courtesy of HDD