Your Mother Dances was created to feature the work of choreographer
and founder Elizabeth Johnson and to promote a cultural
paradigm shift in the arts, specifically dance. We aim to defy
clichéd
and hierarchical stereotypes of women as dancers and choreographers
in particular but also in all professional, social, and cultural
spheres in which women make significant contributions. The company
name says it all: in juxtaposing ironic “your mama” humor
with the reality that women dance artists are in fact hard
working professionals and parents, we emphasize that it
is this juggling
of roles that make us vital contributors to our communities.
Your Mother Dances is committed to presenting potent, vivid, theatrical,
and virtuosic dance works reflective of our seemingly irreconcilable
characters. Our mission is to amplify the marginalized voices of
women dancers of all backgrounds, ages, and stripes by making
work that reflects
our multifaceted experience. The dilemmas presented by the many hats
we wear are reflected in dances that are satisfyingly physical and
cerebral, intricate yet accessible, frank without self-righteousness,
tragically funny, and ultimately reflective of our common efforts
to somehow transcend the impossible expectations of modern life.
Your
Mother Dances, is committed to artistic integrity and dance art that
engages rigorous embodied physicality, depth of thought, and relevant
social dialogue and community involvement.
