Red Clay Dance

Home

movement from the earth expressed through humanness

The Company

THE COMPANY

vershawn Vershawn Sanders (artistic director & founder)Artistic IntentMy goal as a choreographer is to create dances that excite and challenge both my audience and my dancers. My artistry serves as an entry point for audiences to examine and dialogue about societal issues such as racism, sexism, and classism. My work seeks to inform and challenge the audience to contemplate where they stand on these issues. It also serves as a catalyst for change in the viewers thoughts and actions towards these topics. My dances deal with universal concepts such as love, unfaithfulness, war, and violence utilizing movement that connects to the spiritual realm and allows the creator to shape and mold my work as a potter molds his clay. How the body cuts through space and draws the audience into lifes labyrinths are at the crux of my choreographic intent. My esthetic is anchored in the rhythms and accents of African dance combined with the coolness and edge of the hip-hop culture, sprinkled with modern and ballet movement vocabulary. The movement is grounded, powerful, and full, but ready to take flight at a moments notice! BiographyVershawn Sanders is Founder and Artistic Director of Red Clay Dance Company based in Chicago, IL. Ms. Sanders holds a MFA in Dance from New York University and was the first recipient of a BFA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has been presented at festivals in New York, Chicago, Martha's Vineyard, Toronto, Senegal, and Uganda. Recent accomplishments are a 2009 Choreography Award from Harlem Stage for the creation of her solo work, New World Afrikans, which premiered at the Dance Transitions Festival in Uganda, November 2010. At Dance Transmission Festival she also premiered a new duet with Ugandan choreographer Jonas Byaruhanga entitled The Movements, taught dance workshops and sat on discussion panels about contemporary dance. Ms. Sanders serves as adjunct faculty at Malcolm X College teaching Contemporary Dance along with working as a Teaching Artist for Urban Gatways since 2009. Through her 2-year partnership with the Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC), Red Clay Dance Company was selected to coordinate and instruct the entire dance programming at GCYC. Ms. Sanders is extremely excited about the newly formed Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble (RCDYE), a pre-professional youth ensemble for dancers between the ages of 12-17. She is truly grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for dance with others everyday!

Page 2 Llisa Bruce (artist)Llisa Bruce, a native of Texas began her dancing at an early age from the dance academy of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Ms. Bruce is alum of the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Ms. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Texas Womans University. She has taken master classes by Ruth Andrien, Dylis Croman, Jill Sigman, Clair Porter, Aysha Upchurch, Michael Foley, Lisa Niedamyer, and Melissa Young. Ms. Bruce has performed works by David Parsons, Adam Hougland, Kevin Iega Jeff, and Gary Abott.

Page 3 Alitra Cartman (artist)Alitra Cartman immediately knew dance was her life calling after taking her first dance class at the age of 16. She began training under the instruction of Lisa Johnson Willingham, Nicky Chronopolus, and Joel Hall, and continued her studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in May 2008. After graduation Alitra sought to begin her dance career where she found a home with Hedwig Dances, and is currently in her 3rd season. Alitra developed and leads Hedwig Dances' outreach program, under the auspices of After School Matters, and works with other youth around the city, teaching dance technique and dance integration. In spirit of her love for teaching, Alitra is also pursuing her Master in Elementary Education and has plans of forming her own Movement Arts school as well as programs throughout the city. Alitra has also had the opportunity to work with the Cindy Brandle, Shirley Mordine, Rachel Damon, and Red Clay Dance Company.

Yah-Unity Israel Yah-Unity Israel (artist)Twenty three year old dancer, Yah-Unity Israel, specializes in Modern, Ballet, and Hip Hop, with additional training in Jazz, Capoeira and African Dance. After graduating from Cincinnatis School for Creative and Performing Arts, Yah-Unity went on to study dance at Wright State before moving to Chicago to continue her education at Columbia College. Performing in works with Choreographers such as Lisa Johnson Willingham and Nija Whitson, Yah has been described as passionate, spirited, powerful, and authentic. Yah-Unity currently dances with Red Clay Dance Company, and shares her passion by giving the gift of movement to Youth in Chicago Public schools through Global Girls. Yah-Unity is completing her degree in Sociology with a concentration in community organizing at Chicago State University, and has plans to start a not-for-profit organization centered on healthy lifestyles, movement art, and social change.

Page 4 Brittany James (artist)Brittany James, aka BRAT is a New York City Native repping the islands of Nevis and Grenada. A body movement enthusiast since before entering this world, she has studied dance most of her life. You name it shes done it. Studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Byrata Natyam, Jamaican Dancehall, African, Capoeira, Judo, Aerial dance, Hip Hop, Boxing, Grenadian Folk Dance, Yoga and Contact Improvisation just to name a few. Since graduating from Columbia College Chicago with her B.A. in Dance, she has had the opportunity to work with many prestigious and up-and-coming choreographers in the U.S. as well as create her own work. Currently infatuated with the genre of dance film, her work Trapped/NOW was accepted into the Green Space Blooms Dance Festival in Brooklyn, NY. Not only a performer, BRAT has been a Guest Teacher at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and taught a workshop at Iowa State University. Her willingness to learn and openness to share has kept her perspective fresh- Just like her dancing.

Page 5 Eboné Lewis (artist)Eboné Lewis , a St Louis native who studied at Columbia College of Chicago as a Dance Making major and Black World Studies minor and continues to work extensively as a teaching artist, community activist, mentor, performer, and choreographer with a movement aesthetic that captures audiences and grasp their souls by exposing her pure and rooted anointing. Lewis is honored to have performed works by and shared the stage with choreographers both locally and internationally such as: Keesha Beckford, Shell Benjamin, Malik Camara, Christie Cesar, Nora Chipaumire, Baba Chuck Davis, Rueben Echoles, Lisa Gonzales, Darrell Jones, Gesel Mason, Beth McNeil, Jimmy Payne, Erica Wilson-Perkins, and Reggie Wilson. Lewis finds joy in sharing this God given gift and gives gratitude to every individual who has encouraged, inspired, and shown support in any aspect throughout her on-going journey.

Shari Simpson Shari Simpson (artist)Shari Simpson is a Washington State native that has always had a passion for movement. As a young girl she enjoyed expressing herself through movement and at the age of fifteen she began her dance training at the Charisma School of Dance in Lakewood, Washington with Ms. Erin Fye. With the full support of her family, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance with a concentration in Teaching from Columbia College Chicago in 2011. It was here in Chicago where she discovered her zeal for teaching. Ms. Simpson has taught at the Soka Gakka International USA as well as Columbia College Chicago. She has experience teaching creative movement and modern dance technique to all age levels. She has performed with a variety of choreographers in the Chicago land area, but this Ms. Simpsons first season with Red Clay Dance. She is so thankful for every opportunity that has been given to her.

Mission: Red Clay Dance Company lives to awaken glocal change through creating, performing and teaching African Diaspora inspired work--change that transforms social, cultural, and economic imbalances.Vision: Red Clay Dance is movement from the earth, expressed through humanness. We are a contemporary dance company whose work is a window into the daily rituals and ceremonies that all citizens of the world, knowingly or unknowingly, play part in. Red Clay Dance delves into the human psyche and illuminates the characteristics that make us individually distinct and humanly the same. We celebrate diversity while embracing unity and place a large value on collaborations between African and African-American artists. Red Clay Dance Company strives to transform the way that dance uses its voice to impact the global conversation on cultural, social and economic issues. We use creative partnerships, innovative performances, and ongoing audience engagement to form a community. We seek collaborations with artists that carry a like-minded passion on similar issues, and we leverage this collective power to transform our world. Our brand has become synonymous with African Diaspora inspired dance that builds bridges for positive change.Company History: Vershawn Sanders founded Red Clay Dance Company in 2008 with the expressed purpose of using dance as a vehicle for change and to give a voice to those rarely heard. Comprising the company are (a) Red Clay Dance, a professional touring ensemble of seven women, (b) the Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble, who train and perform in preparation to pursue careers in dance, (c) and Community Engagement, Education and Partnerships (CEEP), a dance development extension, which hosts residencies, workshops, lectures and demonstrations to increase exposure to dance for residents of Chicago-- specifically the Greater Grand Crossings, Woodlawn, Hyde Park and Bronzeville neighborhoods of Chicagos South Side.Main ComponentsRed Clay Dance- a professional touring ensemble of seven women that performs African Diaspora inspired dance works.Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble- The mission of the Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble is to provide professional training and performance opportunities to young dancers who possess the passion and drive to pursue a career in dance. Its purpose is to expose the young dancer to the life and schedule of the professional dancer. Through this they learn the discipline it takes to succeed in this field but also the wonderful rewards of the life of a dancer.Community Engagement, Education & Partnerships- To provide opportunities for youth to experience dance through residencies, workshops and lecture demonstrations. We focus, primarily, on serving youth that live in economically challenged communities, more specifically the Greater Grand Crossings and Woodlawn neighborhoods of Chicagos South Side.

vershawn

Page 2

Page 3

Yah-Unity Israel

Page 4

Page 5

Shari Simpson

Performance Schedule

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
2011-2012 SEASON Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance FestivalSunday, September 4, 2011 at 3pmRuth Page Center for the Arts1016 N. DearbornChicago, IL 60610www.hccdf.comEAST AFRICA TOURVisa 2 Dance FestivalDar Es Salaam, TanzaniaOctober 3-16, 2011www.visa2dance.comDance Transmissions FestivalKampala, UgandaOctober 18-23 2011www.keiga.orgDance Forum-NairobiFestival of Solos & DuetsOctober 19-29,2011www.danceforumnbi.comVisit websites for ticket information.SAVE THE DATE:TransAtlantic ProjectMay 7-13th, 2012A Week-long Festival featuring companies from Chicago and Uganda teaching and performing TOGETHER!Check back soon for more details!
PAST PERFORMANCES:RED CLAY DANCE'S INAUGRAL CHICAGO SEASON!!New BeginningsHarold Washington Cultural Center4701 S. Martin Luther King Dr.Chicago, IL 60615June 24, 2011testimonials: "Great show, I really enjoyed it!""I was truly amazed...great job Vershawn and Red Clay Dance"2010Dance Transmissions FestivalKeiga Dance CompanyKampala, UgandaNovember 22-28, 20102009The A.W.A.R.D ShowJoyce Soho, NYCJune 20092008DANCBRIDGE Artist ShowcaseChicago Cultural CenterDecember 2008Looptopia 2008Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy TheaterMay 20082007OASIS 2007Chashama Theater, NYCJuly 2007Choreographic SketchesBRIC StudiosJune 2007By The Yard PerformancesThe Yard, Marthas VineyardMay 2007

SPONSORED BY:

Youth Ensemble

YOUTH ENSEMBLE
The mission of the Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble is to provide professional training and performance opportunities to young dancers who possess the passion and drive to pursue a career in dance. Its purpose is to expose the young dancer to the life and schedule of the professional dancer. Through this they learn the discipline it takes to succeed in this field but also the wonderful rewards you receive living this life as a dance artist.Artistic Team:Vershawn Sanders, Artistic DirectorLlisa Bruce, Associate Artistic Director2011-2012 Company Members:Siera Straughter, CaptainImani Irby, Co-CaptainKenedie CampbellKahari MooreOlivia PierceTevin RiceJoy RogersAshia ShippApprentices:Nena IsraelDeanna LogginsKeila WillisPerformance Schedule and Photos Coming Soon!

Red Clay Dance-Street Kids

Street Kids This is a piece by our youth ensemble that explores the life of "Street Kids" living on the streets of Kampala, Uganda. The struggle to remain playful and lighthearted children in the midst of "adult" challenges of providing food and shelter for themselves.
Facebook

Youth calendar

CEEP

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION & PARTNERSHIPS
I see movement as a way of fully engaging your creative inner self and I believe that allowing young people to fully express their artistic voices at an early age will develop a stronger sense of self and a greater understanding of their individual purpose. - Vershawn Sanders, Artistic Director, Red Clay Dance CompanyRed Clay MotionRed Clay Motion (RCM) is a movement-based experience geared towards youth between the ages of 6-12. These workshops utilize dance as a platform to engage them in a dialogue about adolescent issues such as:embracing cultural identitydeveloping self-esteemindividualismcreating your artistic voiceOur workshops serve as an avenue for bringing these issues to the table in a format that is non-invasive, fun and physically exhilarating!RCM workshops will also address:proper nutritiondaily exerciseAt RCM, it is all about knowledge and empowerment. We tackle these issues in a way that will allow the students the freedom to question what they eat, why they eat it, and empower them in the choices they make about what they put in their bodies.Lastly, RCM incorporates the history of African-American people as it relates to these topics so there is always a connection to their history and how these issues will personally affect the students in the long-term as they grow as citizens of the world. The youth learn about ancestry and develop a sense of pride in their personal histories. The primary goal of RCM workshops is to reach the youth on a spiritual, educational and physical level.What a partnership with Red Clay Dance Company looks like? You can select from one of the options below or we can tailor a program specifically for your organization.• Workshops- a great introduction to Red Clay Dance technique 10-75 participants, 90-120 minutes, Meets once• Master Classes- Focus on a specific dance style 5 to 20 participants, 60-80 minutes, Meets once or in a series• Intensives- An in-depth study of a variety of skills over a series of classes 10 to 25 participants, 30-60 minute blocs, 2-4 hrs. Per day /2-4 days• Residencies-Recurring, in-depth study of several technical skills 6-30 participants, 60-90 minute classes, 3 to 20 weeksWant to bring an RCM workshop to your school or organization, please e-mail us at rcm_redclaydance.com

Jonathan St. Clair (Hip Hop teacher)

Llisa Bruce (Ballet, Modern, Jazz teacher) Brittany "BRAT" James (Dance Hall teacher)

Media

MEDIA

Red Clay Dance- Diamond in the RUF

Diamond in the RUF Red Clay Dance Company performing at Joyce Soho A.W.A.R.D.S show 2009. Choreography: Vershawn Sanders

Download Press Kit

Our Village

OUR VILLAGE
Board of Directors:Jewel Younge, PresidentProfessor City Colleges of Chicago-Olive Harvey CampusMarla Jackson, Vice-PresidentVice-President of Property ManagementThe Habitat Comany Erika Simmons, Secretary Co-Owner Doublestitch, LLC Robert Ellis, Treasurer Project Manager Blue Cross Blue ShieldVershawn Sanders Founder/Artistic Director Red Clay Dance CompanyRoy Walker IIIAthletic Director/ProfessorCity Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CampusStaff:Baja Poindeter, Company AdministratorInterns:Sekani Reed

Our Consultants: Malaun Rice, M-Drive, Marketing Director Milan Sanders, Chosen Business Consulting, Strategic Planning Consultant | www.chosenbc.com

Store

SHOP RED CLAY

please note that there is an additional flat rate shipping charge for each order: $7.95

Support Us

SUPPORT US
OUR CORE VALUES:We celebrate diversity while still embracing unity.We embrace cross-cultural collaborations.We demand honest and open communications.We expect integrity and originality in all of our work.We value honoring history and using that information to inform and create ourcompany's future.We promote healthy lifestyles and choices.We encourage comprehensive dance educationWe understand that non-profits need to demonstrate more clearly than ever how we deliver on our mission, while operating in an efficient, accountable and transparent manner.We hope you consider giving out of your desire to partner with us in our mission, not out of obligation. We also hope that your desire will grow into the sense of responsibility to offer continued support within your ability. We've taken steps to ensure that the giving process is safe and secure from beginning to end. All of your giving data is secured by SSL encryption. SSL is an acronym for "Secure Socket Layer", a security protocol that provides communications privacy over the Internet.Our CommitmentWe are committed to excellence in this area as reflected in establishing the following factors:• We are a Non-Profit Tax-exempt organization, under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as from corresponding provisions of other applicable state, local laws or regulations.• Remain in good standing with the Illinois Comptroller of Public Accounts.• We are governed by a Board of Directors. The majority of our board consists of volunteers, and non-family independent businessmen who serve without compensation, which ensures effective governance over the policies and financial resources of the organization.• Undergo auditing conducted by an independent certified public accountant whose examination complies with generally accepted auditing standards and GAAP.• Adhere to a high standard of Excellence in regards to ethical decisions, and integrity within transactions.• Efficient use of donations, and resources received. Minimizing costs and maximizing the reach of each dollar.• Utilize Fund Accounting. That is, if a gift is given for specific use, it is received, tracked and allocated for that use only. Any unspecified or general donation or gift will be used towards our general fund, and will therefore be allocated to meet operational needs, support the functioning of the organization, outreaches and programs in the most efficient way.• Committed to continual improvement in how well we deliver on our mission. Making measurable improvements in the lives of individuals, families, and communities worldwide.• Employees receive compensation subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and based upon independent wage and salary surveys.
CHECK OUT OUR DONOR PACKETS:Supporter - $50- Name listed on donor page on our website- Receive 2 complimentary invites to our "Meet the Company reception.- Red Clay Dance key chain Patron - $100- Name listed on donor page on our website- Receive 2 complimentary invites to our "Meet the Company reception.- Red Clay Dance T-shirt and key chain Rockstar - $500- Name listed on donor page on our website- Receive 4 complimentary invites to our "Meet the Company reception.- Red Clay Dance T-shirt, awareness wrist band, key chain. Visionary - $1,000+- Name listed on donor page on our website- Receive 4 complimentary invites to our "Meet the Company reception.- Receive 2 complimentary tickets to our annual Awards Gala.- Red Clay Dance T-shirt, awareness wrist band, bag, key chain and bank.

Donate

To purchase a donor packet online via PayPal, please click here. Type the amount you wish to give and we will send you your gift packet in the mail. (Your mailing address will be given to us by PayPal)

Donations can be mailed to: Red Clay Dance, 1507 E. 53rd #905, Chicago, IL 60615

Contact

CONTACT

Vershawn Sanders | Artistic DirectorRed Clay Dance1507 E. 53rd #905Chicago, IL 60615Tel: + 1 773 789 9238Email: info_redclaydance.comThank you for taking the time to visit our site, and become familiar with the mission, the values and thepeople of Red Clay Dance Company.Booking Information:Interested in booking Red Clay Dance or Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble, please contact theArtistic Director at booking_redclaydance.comFor general information, inquiries or comments please e-mail us at: info_redclaydance.comSee you on the stage!
Mail Facebook

Home

The Company

Performance Schedule

Youth Ensemble

Youth calendar

CEEP

Media

Our Village

Store

Support Us