. . .involves a pink plastic flamingo, a jar of orange marmalade, and. . . .<P><BR>Ooops. I meant to talk about my <B>other</B> fantasy.<P>I want to build a dance center. Two dance centers, actually -- one in New York and one in Houston -- and not just studios, and not just theaters, but complete dance centers.<P>The purpose of the NY one would be to provide facilities, studios, and technical and management support for emerging companies that aren't established enough (yet) for the Joyce. It would have a fully-equipped proscenium theatre (at <I>least</I> as good as the Joyce), dedicated studios for ballet and modern, and office space with photocopier and fax.<P>We'd have two funding programs. The residency program would provide office space, rehearsal space, stagehands, and performance space to a company for a 12-month period. The performance program would provide stagehands, performance space, and a limited amount of rehearsal space for a single production. Both programs would offer marketing assistance.<P>Actually, both programs would provide the money for said space rental, which would then be paid back in rent -- this would increase the companies' cash flow, which would help them in raising funds from other sources.<P>The studios would be big -- 60' X 40' -- with tall ceilings, lots of daylight, good sound systems, and the equipment to record and play back video.<P>We'd also have audio production facilities, a small scene shop, a costume shop, and laundry facilities.<P>We'll offer subsidized housing to dancers and choreographers, as well as to musicians and designers who are working with dance.<P>The Houston center will be much the same, without the housing subsidy and with an additional program -- a grant for dancers and choreographers from out of town who agree to reside in Houston for at least 183 contiguous days and to produce at least two different full-evening productions in that time.<P>So. That's my fantasy. Anyone have a spare $104 million?<BR><P>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR>

Sorry Salzberg, haven't got the $104m. Now if it had only been $103m.....<P>However, you might be interested to look at the website for London's The Place. It matches your vision rather closely, except that it is true to its original concept and features modern dance only.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.theplace.org.uk/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theplace.org.uk/</A>

Well Hey....<P>I'm ALL for the Houston one!!<P>Um... and if you check back in 10 years, I'll either:<P>a) have the funds to help you out<BR>b) be building it myself<BR>c) still be in school<P>So.... keep me in mind!<P>-Marc

Just a slight clarification, Stuart. . . .<P>The building isn't my fantasy; the <I>mission</I> is my fantasy. The building's just the means of realizing it.<P>In other words, the fantasies are to create an environment in which emerging NY companies can be nurtured and to turn Houston into a major dance center. The way I'll do this is to build the buildings and establish the funding programs.<BR><P>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR>

I think we're on the same wavelength, Jeff. Nurturing new choreographers and companies, as well as some of the leading ones in the country, is one of the many roles of The Place dancedrome.<P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited November 07, 2000).]

Same place, grace. John Ashford, the Director of the Place Theatre coined the 'dancedrome' term, because it covers:<P>- Community classes<BR>- Diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate classes plus '4D' pre-professional international touring company <BR>- One of the busiest/most sought-after dance theatres in Europe<BR>- an annual festival of almost 100 new/developing companies<BR>- 1 yr young choreographer residencies<BR>- admin space for companies<BR>- home for the Richard Alston Dance and Shobana Jeyasingh companies, two of the leading ones in the UK.<BR>- Video Place with close to 3000 videos now including all performances in the theatre<BR>- Annual Dance on Screen festival. <BR>- Dance Services with info. on jobs, grants, auditons etc.<BR>- a cafe where dancers/choreographers/designers can meet and exchange ideas and thoughts on an informal basis<P>Gosh!!<P> <P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited November 07, 2000).]

I had thought about a small restaurant which would offer discounts to anyone (dancers/choreographers/designers/stagehands/FOH staff/admin staff) working at the facility. A bookstore (with comparable discounts) would be nice, too.<P>Your comments on the dancedrome led me to think about classroom space which could be used to facilitate dancers' continuing their education while working (obviously, this would involve the cooperation of one or more institutions of higher learning).<P>In keeping with their missions, the New York restaurant would also offer discounts to audience members who are attending events at the facility; the Houston one would offer discounts to <I>anyone</I> carrying a ticket to a dance event.<P>So. What else should the centers do/include?<P> <P>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR><p>[This message has been edited by salzberg (edited November 10, 2000).]

I started reading your Perth centre post with some anticipation, which leaked away as you chronicled all the ways that it was failing to meet the requirements of the Community.<P>Maybe the key factor is to be artist oriented. This may sound obvious, but it ain't.<P>Another dance venue I know is Greenwich Dance Agency. This has a fine reputation for trying to help artists. They have:<P>- two rehearsal halls, one medium and one very large which are much in demand<P>- have daily pro. modern dance classes<P>- community dance classes, salsa, yoga, etc<P>- a teacher who goes out to schools<P>- organise showings/w.i.p./small performances<P>- offer some office space to samll companies<P>- do some commissioning<P>To give some idea of how far they will go to meet the needs of artists, one internationally renowned choreographer/dancer was given a set of keys (legal considerations had to be sorted out) so that he could rehearse Sunday mornings. <P>It is sometimes shown to visitors from overseas as a beacon of what can be done.

I left out:<P>Each facility will have a Pilates studio, a massage room, a physical therapy room (and regularly-scheduled masseuses and PTs), and a Jacuzzi.<P>Oh, and there'll also be a massage room and a Jacuzzi for the <I>dancers</I> to use.<P><BR>------------------<BR>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<BR>Jeffrey E. Salzberg, Lighting Designer<BR>Online portfolio, now including "This Day in Arts History":<BR><A HREF="http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg" TARGET=_blank>http://www.suncoast.quik.com/salzberg</A> <P><BR><p>[This message has been edited by salzberg (edited November 20, 2000).]