January
The first Rapid Response engagement of the year was supported
New York-based movement artist, performer, and choreographer Eiko Otake performed at the Festival Santiago a Mil, in Santiago, Chile with the help of funding from American Dance Abroad’s Rapid Response program. Yanira Castro, Diavolo | Architecture in Motion, Megan Bridge/fidget, Stephen Petronio, and 10 Hairy Legs were also awarded subsidies for engagements that took place in 2016.
February
The Professional Critique evaluation program was launched
American Dance Abroad launched our Professional Critique initiative in February. Participating American companies are provided a one-on-one, comprehensive review and personalized feedback by an international programmer from a world region in which they are interested in touring. Companies are evaluated on artistic content, technical expertise, and quality of promotional materials. Nine companies participated in 2016.
March
The Pitchbook promotional publication was announced
American Dance Abroad announced Pitchbook, a new publication to promote American dance. Pitchbook is issued biannually through print and digital formats and is distributed to international programmers by American Dance Abroad at professional dance gatherings. Each edition includes a selection of new dance projects in search of international partners and/or commissioners. We received 52 applications for Volume I! Volume II will soon be complete, followed by a new call for submissions for Volume III.
April
Marketplace services were introduced through American Dance Abroad’s website
The new Marketplace section of American Dance Abroad’s web
site was launched, offering services designed to help dance companies strengthen their international profile. In addition to Professional Critique and Pitchbook, offerings include International Connections; Strategic Publicity for your Tour; Professional Development workshops; and Individual Consultations. Several of these projects are supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
May
A Beyond Our Borders workshop provided skills for working internationally
American Dance Abroad offered a weekend-long Beyond Our Borders workshop in San Francisco to provide dance, music, and theatre professionals with the tools, skills, and resources needed to thrive in the global performing arts marketplace. Participants were guided in understanding the global scene; integrating international work into their organizations; and building their international profiles. Following completion of the workshop each participant was invited to apply to become a delegate at an upcoming performing arts event of their choice. The workshop was supported by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
June
Programmers utilized the American Dance Recon/Global
initiative to see Dorrance Dance
American Dance Abroad assisted several European programmers to attend Dorrance Dance’s performance of ETM: Double Down at Staatstheater Darmstadt, in Germany. The programmers were supported through American Dance Abroad’s American Dance Recon/ Global initiative, which provides opportunities for international programmers to see American dance that is already touring in their part of the world.
July
International engagements thrived in our E-newsletter
The July edition of American Dance Abroad’s monthly e-newsletter promoted an impressive 30 international engagements by U.S. dance companies, across four continents. We invite all professional dance companies to complete our International Touring Form to have their performances and residencies abroad listed on our website and promoted in our newsletter.
August
U.S. dance was represented in The American Corner at Tanzmesse
American Dance Abroad represented U.S. dance at the internationale tanzmesse nrw, with the help of our esteemed American Corner delegates: Abraham.In.Motion, Ballet West, The Bang Group, BodyVox, Christine Bonansea Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Eva Dean Dance, fidget, inkBoat, 3 Pony Show / keila cordova dances, LeeSaar The Company, Lotus Arts Management, Patricia Noworol Dance Theater, RIOULT Dance NY, Rosy Simas Danse, and Verb Ballets. The American Corner was supported by the U.S. Consul General (Dusseldorf, Germany). Congratulations to fidget and LeeSaar, who performed on the official program, and to Abraham.In.Motion and The Bang Group, who pitched their new works in the Open Studio program. American Dance Abroad also hosted The New Americas, a T-Talk regarding the dance world’s evolving definition of the Americas, and the relationship between North America and Latin America.
September
A new Dance Touring Survey was developed in collaboration with CMU
American Dance Abroad joined forces with the Master of Arts Management program at Carnegie Mellon University to capture data on the prevalence of American dance touring internationally. Students created a condensed version of the survey originally administered by American Dance Abroad in 2009, and updated it with contemporary concerns. The resulting snapshot of the field will be presented at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York City. The survey responses will help American Dance Abroad target our programs to best support U.S. dance companies in the future.
October
The Mellon Foundation supported the future expansion of
American Dance Recon
American Dance Abroad was proud to accept an Arts and Cultural Heritage grant by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The $250,000 award will be utilized to expand American Dance Recon into six American cities over three years. The grant will support American Dance Abroad to link ADR to several important dance events and major summer dance festivals in cities that foster strong dance communities. Mellon’s investment will also enable American Dance Abroad to support U.S. artists who receive invitations for creative residencies as a result of connections made during the American Dance Recon symposium. Please read our Press Release for more details.
November
American Dance Recon brought programmers to NYC for a fifth time
American Dance Abroad hosted 10 international programmers for American Dance Recon in New York City. This signature program, supported by the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, is an intensive symposium designed to reconnect programmers with U.S. dance and help them to appreciate its diversity. Programmers engaged with the local community through attendance at performances, visits to company rehearsals, informal discussions, and conversations with foundation leaders. Dance/NYC and American Dance Abroad also co-hosted the fifth edition of “American Dance Recon NYC: an Open Town Hall discussion,” during which local dance makers and colleagues learned about our guests and their work, their curatorial styles, and trends in dance abroad.
December
U.S. dance was represented by American Delegates at ICEHOT
American Dance Abroad attended the ICEHOT Nordic Dance Platform with four American delegates: Megan Bridge (of fidget), Alice Gosti, Zoe Scofield (of zoe|juniper), and Amy Seiwert (of Amy Seiwert’s Imagery). Megan, Alice, Zoe, and Amy were outstanding ambassadors for American dance!
Thank you for joining us on this journey through 2016!
American Dance Abroad 
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