Luna Negra turns 10

Posted January 20, 2009 8:22 AM in Artist Voices

Why is it so important to celebrate ten years? Well, to start, is not often that an arts organization turns ten these days, particularly a dance company. Dance companies struggle with audience development and finding the necessary resources to help them thrive and grow. Most continue as pick up companies or have one major performance a year which keeps them from having the exposure they need to flourish.

When I started Luna Negra Dance Theater, I wanted to build a springboard for artists that truly became their source of income and creative satisfaction as well as serve as an impetus for great art. The mission was clear; build a repertory of dances that were created by Latino artists in order to expose our community to "first voice" works that were contemporary. When I say first voice I mean works that are authentically from the voice of the artist who is Latino commenting on his/her culture. So the pieces that came together have always been woven with the thread of such a mission.

It has been commented that I am headstrong! Well yes, I have always been determined when it came to the artist's needs. You can't have a choreographer's voice exposed without the artists feeling safe and supported. That meant always providing a fee for the dancers and ultimately offering the dancers benefits like year round health insurance, physical therapy, massage therapy and gym membership. Even when we didn't have these benefits, I made sure the dancers felt appreciated and cared for whether that was through a home made meal or providing a schedule that enabled flexibility for other work.

As a dancer in New York I was fortunate to have worked with many wonderful choreographers, designers, technicians and arts administrators. Having danced with an established company gave me the tools and knowledge to make certain decisions which aided in the success of Luna Negra these past ten years. Dance relies on handed down knoweledge from one performer to the next in order to acheive its human connection. And it is only because of my trials and tribulations as a dancer that I can guide, support and nurture the amazing artists of Luna Negra. Of course there is a younger generation that aesthetically may differ with me but the nuts and bolts of organizing a group of dancers, putting up a performance and collaborating with a technical crew, those are things that have been handed down through many generations.

Eduardo Vilaro, Founder and Artistic Director