expect , so she created a space where dancers and choreographers could explore their own visions together . “ People wanted story ballets . She wasn ’ t seeing opportunities for choreographers to freely create , or just to fail even ,” shared Lewis . “ So , she started this three-week project where we brought a bunch of choreographers in ; we had six works on our first show , a bunch of other artistic directors to workshop and teach technique and help dancers learn about their companies , and we brought the dancers all in .”
Slipper and Lewis first met when Slipper was the ballet mistress of the Oregon Theater . Lewis is experienced in marketing and fundraising , and he also worked as a
counselor for high-risk youths . For the next few years , every summer Slipper and Lewis would work on their three-week project . “ We had great success seeing dancers get company contracts with some of the guests we brought in . In 2007 , we asked ourselves , what if we were the place dancers went from here ?” reflected Lewis . And NW Dance Project was born .
They formed the company and started doing regular shows and even amped up their education studio . Eventually they opened their first studio space on Mississippi Avenue in 2009 . The location allowed NW Dance Project to flourish due to Mississippi Avenue being a heavily foot-trafficked area , so people would
“ Dance can happen anywhere ”
48 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE