Stretch Dance Company

Stretch Dance Company... Who are we, what do we do, and where are we going?  These are the most popular questions I receive about the company I created in 2010.

I'm Lyndell Higgins the Executive and Artistic Director (EAD) and founder of Stretch Dance Company or SDC as I'll casually refer to it.  I will often be the author of the SDC blogs (indicated by the "L" at the end of the entry), but you will also hear from design team members, crew, and performers.  This blog is to give you insight, a backstage look, and firsthand experiences of the goings on at SDC. 

First, Who are we? What do we do?

Let me start with the mission statement.  "To create a safe working environment for professional artists and to educate and entertain the community about art, humanity, culture, and history through presenting theatrical dance productions based on an emotional and realistic portrayal of the human experience."  Such a mouthful, but anything less would be insufficient. 

I started with the mission statement even before the name or logo.  Once I had it tailored, I looked for our name.  In noticing what I deemed as the most important words, I saw this:   "To create a safe working environment for professional artists and to educate and entertain the community about art, humanity, culture, and history through presenting theatrical dance productions based on an emotional and realistic portrayal of the human experience."

So in my way of thinking, which is often difficult to explain or understand, I saw the letters S E C H C H T E R, without using all repeated letters, it spells Stretch.  Thus Stretch Dance Company!  "Stretch" is a great word.  Its implications go far beyond the art of pushing oneself to achieve in dance.  I hope to stretch all aspects of our performers and audience members beyond the physical.

SDC will use dance in new ways to enlighten and educate audience members.  Much like Swan Lake, each production will have specific characters and plot to follow, but will not be confined to one dance style.  The dance style will be determined by the character being portrayed. 

Where are we going?

Well, in deciding on our first production, I was inspired by the ongoing presence of racism and discrimination that is still ever present throughout the world, even in our country.  With all of the technological advances in the world along with our ability to literally travel anywhere in 24hrs, I'm amazed, disappointed, ashamed, and frightened that we have not evolved further in our humanity.  I am hoping to create a production that illustrates what can happen when we are not tolerant or understanding. 

I am hoping that SDC inspires people to think of all of humanity as "US" rather than the standard "US vs. THEM."

We are projecting to have our first performance at the end of 2013 or the beginning of 2014.  We are still withholding exactly what we are planning to do, but throughout the year, it will slowly be revealed to you.

Follow our Blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Newsletter for all of our updates.

Thank you for the support!

-L