NORWICH — Ten years ago, two local dancers with a passion for teaching and artistic expression brought big city culture to their small hometown. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Phoenix Project Dance, a professional dance company based in Norwich since 2004.
Phoenix Project Dance has grown from a few local dancers trying to get their name out there to a nonprofit professional dance company with a board of directors, sponsors and paid performers.
“When my sister and I started the company, we were just trying to survive. We made enough money for costumes and other things we needed to keep us going. We put everything back into the company,” said executive director and choreographer Mikey Perkins.
Perkins and his sister got the idea to start their own company when students they had trained left town to join professional companies. They wanted to start a company based out of their hometown and bring the talent local. At first they used their students as dancers for the company, but as they became more widely known, other dancers started to approach them.
“Now we are pulling dancers from all over the country to dance with us here in Norwich,” said Perkins. “Our dancers are from big cities but can't wait to come here. They think this town is like living in movie, and it's great having that kind of energy here in the community.”
The process for becoming a dancer at the company begins with an application and audition. If the dancer is accepted, they are put through an apprenticeship program. Dancers apply from all over North America; there are dancers from cities like New York City, Boston and Toronto.
“We have some paid dancers in the company. We put them through an apprenticeship first to make sure they are a good fit; it's a trial period. We want to find a place for them before they are hired,” said Perkins.
There are currently 11 dancers in Phoenix Project Dance, who each work 40 hour weeks not including the training that is part of their contract. The company recently accepted four new dancers. Many of the dancers come from the most prestigious dance schools in the country, including the renowned Ailey School in Manhattan.
“It's a pleasure and a new dynamic to work with mature, talented dancers, because I train a lot of younger dancers. The youngest dancer in the company is 21 years old. The kids I teach get excited and look up to the older dancers like they are celebrities,” said Perkins.
The company tours nationally and internationally. Touring locations include all over New York State and New Jersey; New York City; Miami; Ottawa, Canada; Munich, Germany and Greece. They tour and train year-round. They performed a total of 16 shows last year.
“Sixteen shows is a big deal, because a lot of companies just tour part-time for a couple months and do five or six shows. Our big show locally is the show in Hamilton on Nov. 21 and 22. November is the start of our new season, so we have all new and exciting pieces along with a few our old favorites,” said Perkins.
The pieces performed are “weight-sharing and athletic” with a focus on modern style dancing. Perkins said there is a lot of partner work, which can be intense.
Phoenix Project Dance was recently hired to hold a class for students at Colgate University. They have performed at the university in the past, but this is the first time they were invited to teach. According to Perkins, it is a great opportunity for the company.
Perkins shared his vision for the future of the company and said, “I would love for this to keep going and have a full company and residence Norwich. Norwich is actually ideal for us; it's a central location. I love being based here and growing within the community.”
For more information, visit Phoenix Project Dance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or its website at phoenixprojectdance.com.