A quartet of audacious dancers have decided to push past the boundaries of dance in Shreveport.

They are college grads who are employed yet who still crave sore muscles and don’t mind sweating until they look like pickled ferrets. Hours of choreography and rehearsal are their joy.

“Louisiana Dance Collective is an emerging, innovative dance company for the community of northwest Louisiana,” says co-founder Emily Smith. “The discussions about starting a dance company began almost a year ago between five instructors from Power & Grace: Tamara Mayer, Emma Busi, Emily Smith, Anna Kirkes, and Brett Kessel. These women have been dancers for most of their lives and found that it was hard to find performance opportunities and quality classes for adults in Shreveport.”

“If you’re a dancer right now in Shreveport and you’ve finished high school and college, your career is pretty stagnant unless you move to a larger city. We want to change that,” added Smith.

Their jeté has already had impact. Said Jared Watson of Stage Center: “LA Dance Collective is an awesome new initiative for adult dancers in our area. Many of the dancers perform in our shows and we have a common goal of providing quality artistic endeavors using a variety of styles.”

“Affordable, quality dance classes for adults is something truly needed in our area,” notes Watson. “The caliber of the women running LADC make it all the more worthwhile. The folks at Power & Grace should also be commended for giving them the space to get LADC started in such a professional studio space.”

Enjoy this “Heathers” inspired music video from Louisiana Dance Collective and Perennial Media. For more information, visit ladancecollective.org.

“As for the qualities of the women,” said Chris Lyon, “What you have at LADC is people who aren’t just good at what they do, but who have a passion for bringing others into the mix. LADC could be a new cultural outlet for people who dance to express themselves.”

“When I was first asked to teach at a Saturday workshop for LADC,” said Karla Haas, “I honestly had never heard of them. Meeting them and learning about the reason they formed is why I love to be in the dance community. Especially a community such as theirs that wants to partner with and cultivate relationships with other dancers/dance styles outside of their own studio.”

Said Laurel Richie, “As a bellydance and hoop instructor and performer, I love the idea of a dance collective! Shreveport is blessed with incredibly talented dancers in a wide variety of disciplines; yet there are few opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. Louisiana Dance Collective fills that need by inviting instructors to share their particular expertise with the dance community. Dancers get a taste of other dance forms with a chance to flex and broaden their skills as well as to personally connect with other dancers outside of a performance setting. You never know when another dance form can spark an interest.”

Check out the video of LADC, filmed at Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport | Photo by Jim Noetzel
Check out the video of LADC, filmed at Women’s Department Club in Shreveport | Photo by Jim Noetzel

“Dancers, choreographers, and movement professionals of all backgrounds: LDC will serve as a collaborative hub where the art of dance can grow freely and continually innovate and renew,” said LDC co-founder Tamara Mayer.

Chris Lyon: “Dance doesn’t seem to be appreciated in the area as much as other art forms, and it seems to me that LADC wants to change that.”

“Yes,” says co-founder Emma Busi: “Louisiana Dance Collective looks to raise awareness about the arts in Northwest Louisiana in schools, churches, and community centers that do not have easy access to professional performance companies. Many children and young adults dream of having careers as dancers, musicians, and actors, but are informed that this sort of livelihood is impossible in an area such as Northwest Louisiana. We are looking to break that barrier and set an example for every boy and girl that has a passion for the arts.”

On learning about LADC, recent arrival to Shreveport Brittany Turner said, “Exactly what I’ve been looking for since moving [here]!”

Follow LADC on Facebook until their website is complete, or each LADC at ladancecollective@gmail.com.

Photo by Jim Noetzel.