About this project
Bettmann Dances is creating a year long project about Security - what it means to us, and how we pursue it.
To do this we're offering public dance workshops, inviting participants to share their experiences in words and movement. We'll use the ideas and movements generated in these workshops in choreography for a new dance work, and we'll choose one dancer from the workshops to join the company in performance. We're also launching a dedicated website where students, teachers, and the public can find ideas and information on these issues. Our goal is to encourage and empower participation in conversations on security.
The project's title - Quis Custodiet - was inspired by a 6th century b.c. philosopher's observation on the nature of power, which remains just as true today. Quis Custodiet Ipsus Custodet? means "who shall watch the watchers themselves?”
As we near the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 we believe that the national dialogue should reflect our local, personal, and communal values. This project will empower individual voices, and project them into broader dialogue on Security as we perform this piece in DC, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore in summer/fall 2011.
The Examiner said that the company's first performances, in 2009, were "an example of artistic craftsmanship", and you can see some past work at http://www.bettmanndances.com. This Kickstarter will pay for creation of the work - rehearsal space, pay for dancers, and the costs of the dance workshops.
Bettmann Dances is a program of the non-profit Day Eight; your support is tax-deductible.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 26, 2010.
Pledge $10 or more
You'll be on our special mailing list, and will receive project updates, rehearsal pics and clips, and news from the project.
Pledge $25 or more
Pics and clips and updates PLUS 1 ticket to a make-your-own-sundae ice cream party with the company.
Pledge $35 or more
Pledge $35 dollars or more on the last day of the project and you'll get a snappy Quis project t-shirt in addition to any other benefits you qualify for.
Pledge $50 or more
Pics and clips, a ticket to a make-your-own-sundae ice cream party with the company PLUS the artistic director's family recipe for Hot Fudge.
Pledge $100 or more
Invitation to private reception with cast and supporters at the premiere in Washington, D.C.
Pledge $250 or more
Coffee with the Artistic Director, and a signed copy of his book: Somatic Ecology.
Pledge $500 or more
Private dance class with up to 10 participants taught by the Artistic Director.
Pledge $1,000 or more
We invite you to attend a private rehearsal. A once-in-a-lifetime creative thrill! : )
Pledge $1,500 or more
Name a section of the dance, and be credited with your artistic contribution in the program. At this level the Artistic Staff will share video from rehearsal and let you pick the name for one of the three sections of the performance piece.
Pledge $2,500 or more
Be cooked a gourmet vegan dinner by the Artistic Director, in your home, with a dancer as sous chef.
Pledge $10 or more
You'll be on our special mailing list, and will receive project updates, rehearsal pics and clips, and news from the project.
Pledge $25 or more
Pics and clips and updates PLUS 1 ticket to a make-your-own-sundae ice cream party with the company.
Pledge $35 or more
Pledge $35 dollars or more on the last day of the project and you'll get a snappy Quis project t-shirt in addition to any other benefits you qualify for.
Pledge $50 or more
Pics and clips, a ticket to a make-your-own-sundae ice cream party with the company PLUS the artistic director's family recipe for Hot Fudge.
Pledge $100 or more
Invitation to private reception with cast and supporters at the premiere in Washington, D.C.
Pledge $250 or more
Coffee with the Artistic Director, and a signed copy of his book: Somatic Ecology.
Pledge $500 or more
Private dance class with up to 10 participants taught by the Artistic Director.
Pledge $1,000 or more
We invite you to attend a private rehearsal. A once-in-a-lifetime creative thrill! : )
Pledge $1,500 or more
Name a section of the dance, and be credited with your artistic contribution in the program. At this level the Artistic Staff will share video from rehearsal and let you pick the name for one of the three sections of the performance piece.
Pledge $2,500 or more
Be cooked a gourmet vegan dinner by the Artistic Director, in your home, with a dancer as sous chef.
Project By
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I am a dancer, choreographer, writer, and teacher.
I started dancing at Oberlin College, but graduated with my BA in Environmental Studies. After graduation I spent a year on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City, and then dropped out of dance and went to work for W.W. Norton as an Editorial Assistant for Science books. I returned to dance and got my MA (in Dance) from American University in 2004 (on Fellowship.) My thesis connecting environmentalism and dance, "Somatic Ecology", was published as a book in May 2009 by VDG: Verlag.
From 2001-2003 I had a company called the Blackbird Dance Ensemble. We created two evening-length shows of my choreography over two years, performing in Washington D.C., New York, Boston, and North Carolina. I received Young Emerging Artist grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities in 2002 and 2004 for my choreographic work. For a few years after I got my Masters I focused on dancing for other people (including Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, Alexandria Ballet, and Jane Franklin.)
In 2005 we founded the not-for-profit Day Eight, and the Arts magazine Bourgeon, and in 2009 the dance company Bettmann Dances. Our first project - All Good Men - was a dance theater adaptation of a Dylan Thomas filmscript. To learn more about Bourgeon and Bettmann Dances visit http://www.dayeight.org.
