The Empathy Project (working title) is an immersive dance performance by DanceBoissiere that examines our divisions and asks us to consider, “What is empathy? How do we show it? And how do we physicalize it?” If we are able to empathize with someone who has a completely different viewpoint, does empathy become the access point where we understand each other to then move forward?
This is our first SOLO production in New York City. The performance weaves together movement, music, video, and audience participation. It will take place Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st, 2019 at a historic brownstone in Harlem.
Although “empathy” is currently a buzzword, I don’t see it when I watch the news, fall down a Facebook comment vortex, or try to engage in a political conversation with someone who has different views than me. When I choose to engage, I am trying to change my opponent's, mind or they are trying to change mine.
Why can’t they understand me?
Why can’t they see all of me?
I am a black woman. I am a daughter, sister, wife, and friend.
Surely if they see all of me, they will change their minds about women/ black people/ minorities/ children raised by single mothers, etc.
They will see there is more to me.
It feels like “empathy” is the answer! (insert sarcasm here).
But it is so much harder than that.
To ask you to understand me, I must be willing to also see, hear, and listen to you.
That is hard, especially in conversations involving race, gender, sexuality, power and privilege.
And especially when I am convinced I am right and you are wrong. When I have closed myself off and become ignorant to how other people live.
Our rehearsal process started in January 2019, examining these questions and creating the groundwork of the show. Since then, we have conducted interviews to get a better understanding of how people define empathy, sympathy, and compassion. In juxtaposition, we are diving into the areas that separate us and create division.
Our decision to host the show in a Harlem brownstone is two-fold. As a company, we are interested in intimate environments; Spaces that place performer and audience member right next to one another, shifting the power dynamics between the two roles. We also believe that Harlem and uptown Manhattan are filled with culturally vibrant places, exactly where dance belongs.
We need your help! We are grateful for the support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, which has allowed us to pay for rehearsal and performance space and some of our performer stipends.
We have a super talented, strong cast of six female dancers who are in rehearsal twice a week. In addition, we are creating an environment for the piece to live. This requires equipment, lights, and props.
Your generous donation will go towards:
Our strong cast of six female dancers
Bringing this production to life in a unique space (projectors, lights, security, tech staff and music licensing).
Costumes
Tech Rehearsals
Photography and Videography to keep this work alive!
Marketing, promotional and press
Collaborators of DanceBoissiere
DanceBoissiere is a dance company under the artistic direction of Jenny Boissiere. By donating you’ll be supporting these amazing artists: Jamie Yasgur, Sara Crayne-Dedrick, Molly Gorin, Sarah Hilmon, Genna Mattana, and Frankie Quintanilla. To learn more about these amazing performers, visit our website.
As an all-female ensemble, we work collaboratively to create evocative dance works that allow women from various backgrounds to be seen and respected as full, expressive beings. We are powerful, interdependent, and unapologetic in the spaces we occupy, be they onstage, onsite, or on screen.
DanceBoissiere has performed in multiple venues in NYC including Doug Varone’s DEVICES at Gibney Dance Center, Chen Dance Center’s New Steps, A Choreographer’s Series, Brooklyn Ballet’s First Look, and MOD Art Dance Collective’s Collective Thread at Dixon Place. The group as also performed in Washington D.C. with KD. Jenny Boissiere’s work has also been performed in Boulder, CO and Seattle, WA.
Rewards
Helper
Donate $20.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
$20 pays for 2 hours of rehearsal.
You'll receive a personalized shout-out on social media!
Friend
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
$50 Helps us buy one dancer’s costume.
You'll receive a personalized shout-out on social media and be listed on our website as a member of TeamBoissiere.
DB Supporter
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
$100 pays for one projector or two hours of photographer time.
Receive a shout-out on social media, be listed on our website and show program as a member of TeamBoissiere and receive a personalized thank you from Jenny and the cast.
Tech Producer
Donate $175.00 or more
Amount over $25.00 is tax-deductible.
$175 pays for one hour of tech rehearsal
You'll receive one free ticket to the show on Sept 20th or 21st, be listed as a tech producer in our program, and receive a personalized written thank you from Jenny and the rest of the cast.
Artist Sponsor
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
Contributes towards artist stipends!
In addition to the Tech Supporter perks, you'll get 2 free tickets to the show, be listed as an artist sponsor in the program, and a signed picture with the cast and Jenny!
Executive Producer
Donate $350.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
In addition to the Tech Supporter perks, you'll get 2 free tickets to the show, a signed picture with the cast and Jenny, a special toast with the dancers after the show, a written thank you, and an executive producer credit.
