Michelle Stortz's Page

I've been thinking a lot about the business of dance lately. I've taken a break from the studio – for an assortment of reasons – and am now thoroughly processing the administrative hooha that I normally don't give myself enough time for. I'm looking for grants and opportunities, festivals, residencies, etc. Somehow the Gods have smiled on me for I'm fortunate at the moment to have a friend who is mentoring me toward the next level in my work/career. We're looking at touring readiness, quality of video samples, artist statements, proposal language. He's made me write up both a Five Year Plan and a more detailed Three Year Plan. Hmmm.

I'm finding that the biggest shift has been in my detachment and judgement. It's no longer about the quality of my work - it's just about selling it. At the moment, in my mind, it is all boiling down to video, language and photos. I'm no longer a movment artist as I sit at my desk gathering materials for this next proposal. I am a marketing director who's skills must include snazzy writing, video editing skills and the ability to get some good photos. Well okay, perhaps word of mouth from the last coupla shows is helping too. Perhaps the difference is that I'm not in the studio at all this spring. I'm simply pushing papers and emails. I am business-minded now.