Elm City Dance Collective
@ecdc-newhaven
Description
ECDC is a New Haven based organization that provides a platform for an experiential and collaborative approach to dance creation, education and performance. Elm City Dance Collective (ECDC) was formed in 2008 by four dance artists, Lindsey Bauer, Jennifer Brubacher, Kellie Ann Lynch and Millie VandenBroek, with the intention of creating a stronger, more vibrant home for contemporary dance in the greater New Haven area. The founders envisioned a non-profit organization that would create contemporary dance experiences unique to New Haven such as classes and workshops; community performance projects; after school programs; open studio showings; improvisation jams; original choreography; and dance productions and performances that inhabit traditional to non-traditional spaces. Through the vision of Co-Artistic Directors, Lindsey Bauer and Kellie Ann Lynch, ECDC is committed to an experiential and collaborative approach to sharing dance. The organization challenges traditional ideas of the art form and seeks to reinvent how dance is experienced. ECDC embodies the belief that dance brings people together and is a catalyst for social change, healing and transformation. The organization joyfully serves New Haven through the power and possibility of dance. ECDC has performed throughout New England in many different venues but is devoted to serving their home, New Haven. The company is known for performing in unusual spaces from city buses to parking garages, they have even performed in houses. They also enjoy performing in theaters (places they'll often reimagine), one of their favorites is Lyric Hall Theater in Westville. Their site responsive work is often linked to activism themes such as water conservation and awareness, pedestrian safety, property access and ownership and wellness; and their community performance and engagement projects are the heartbeat of the organization. ECDC has been presented by Artspace New Haven, Mystic Aquarium, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, Frazier Festival, Creative Arts Alliance of Baltimore, The Dragon's Egg and The Great Friends Festival of Newport; and has received commissions from several organizations some of which are The Arts Council of Greater New Haven, the Department of Transportation, Traffic & Parking and Pop Ups on the New Haven Green. ECDC has received state and local funding from The Connecticut Office of the Arts, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven and The City of New Haven’s Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism to support the creation of work and services the organization provides for the community. ECDC's dedication to collaboration has led them to partner with New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Capoeira and Dance Center, Shubert Theater, New Haven Public Schools, the New Haven Pride Center, and Havenly.