We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Morgan McEwen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Morgan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
A significant risk I’ve taken in my career was the decision to relocate MorDance from New York City to Yonkers after ten successful years in Manhattan. This move was both daunting and invigorating, with numerous factors influencing this pivotal choice.
Backstory and Context
MorDance, since its inception, has thrived in New York City’s competitive dance scene. Our presence in Manhattan granted us access to a vast network of artists, supporters, and audiences. It was a place where our performances and outreach programs had steady growth amidst the rich cultural tapestry of the city. However, as we approached our tenth anniversary, several challenges and opportunities prompted me to reassess our base of operations.
Firstly, the rising costs to rent rehearsal studios and performance space in Manhattan became increasingly unsustainable. Finding available studio space in a city where long-standing rehearsal spaces were closing added to the pressure. These financial challenges were not only limiting our ability to expand our programs but also affecting our long-term viability. Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the arts landscape, making it imperative to adapt to new realities.
The Decision to Move
Yonkers, a vibrant and growing city just north of New York City, presented itself as an attractive alternative. The city has been undergoing a cultural renaissance, with significant investments in the arts and community development. The thought of contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Yonkers was thrilling. Additionally, Yonkers lacked any downtown performing arts theater or full-time performing arts organizations. We were thrilled to fill this void and contribute to the community. The decision to relocate was not made lightly. It involved extensive discussions with our board, artists, and community partners.
The move involved logistical challenges, from finding the right space that could accommodate our needs to ensuring a smooth transition for our artists and staff, as well as securing capital for the purchase of things like flooring and sound equipment. We were thrilled to be met with open arms by AMS Acquisitions, who have opened their doors to us in an incredibly inspired space that we now call home. Yonkers-based Sound Associates generously provided us with sound equipment, and Phygital FX has supplied lighting equipment for our performances. The move also opened doors to new collaborations and community engagements. We now have a long-standing partnership with Hudson River Museum, facilitating free community performances and open rehearsals. We have also partnered with Westhab to bring dance classes to youth in under-resourced communities. Finally, we have expanded our student outreach performances to include Westhab, Yonkers YMCA, and Andrus, a school in Yonkers.
Outcome and Reflection
Looking back, the relocation has been transformative. MorDance has flourished in Yonkers, benefiting from a supportive local government, community organizations, and an enthusiastic new audience. We have been able to grow our reach while also maintaining long-standing relationships in NYC, including performance seasons in the city to augment our seasons in Yonkers. We’ve seen a renewed sense of purpose and creativity within our team, as the change in environment sparked fresh inspiration. Having a home to call our own and a community of supporters that feels invested in our mission has been transformative and inspiring. MorDance has truly built a home for community, creativity, and collaboration in Yonkers in such a short time.
The risk paid off in ways I had hoped for and more. MorDance has become an integral part of Yonkers’ cultural fabric, contributing to and benefiting from the city’s growth. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, stepping away from the familiar and embracing the unknown can lead to remarkable growth and new opportunities.
In essence, the relocation to Yonkers wasn’t just a change of address; it was a strategic leap towards sustainability and innovation, ensuring that MorDance can continue to create, inspire, and connect with audiences for many more years to come.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Morgan McEwen, the founder and artistic director of MorDance, a female-led ballet company celebrated for pushing the boundaries of classical ballet. My journey began as a dancer with Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, and the Metropolitan Opera, where I discovered limited opportunities for female choreographers. This motivated me to create MorDance in 2014, a platform dedicated to reimagining ballet as a vessel for learning and impactful change. I believe every ballet I create is an opportunity to use our platform for dialogue, education, and awareness.
MorDance is a trailblazing nonprofit committed to changing the landscape of ballet to be more accessible and diverse. After ten years delivering groundbreaking ballet to audiences across New York City, we have moved into our own space in Yonkers while maintaining our NYC programming. MorDance’s mission is rooted in fostering a more dynamic and inclusive future for the performing arts by enhancing accessibility and creating empowered environments for creative expression.
MorDance has garnered critical acclaim for its original works, championing underrepresented artists and audiences, and conducting youth outreach initiatives benefiting thousands of students in under-resourced communities across NYC and Yonkers. Our commitment to breaking down barriers of social, movement-based, and gender-based inequalities in dance has earned recognition and support from organizations such as The Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation, The O’Donnell Green Music and Dance Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and The National Endowment for the Arts, among others.
What sets MorDance apart is our dedication to celebrating and supporting underrepresented voices. As a female founder in a male-dominated field, I strive to use our platform for dialogue, education, and awareness, centering narratives historically suppressed by ballet’s fraught lineage. It’s important to note that last season fewer than 24% of ballets presented at the top 50 US ballet companies were choreographed by women.
I am proud of our resilience, particularly during our recent relocation to Yonkers, which has expanded our reach and deepened our community impact. We maintain long-standing relationships in NYC while growing our presence in Yonkers, thanks to partnerships with local organizations like the Hudson River Museum and Westhab.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely, there is a clear mission driving my creative journey with MorDance. Our primary goal is to redefine what it means to be a ballet company and a ballet dancer, fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for the performing arts. Central to this mission is our vision for a forever home in Yonkers, a performing arts center that will serve not only as the heart of MorDance but also as a hub for community, creativity, and collaboration. This center aims to fill a significant void in downtown Yonkers, offering a space where artists and community members can come together to create, learn, and engage.
We are dedicated to changing the traditional perceptions and structures of the ballet world. This includes providing equitable employment opportunities for artists, ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their work and can thrive rather than just survive. The term “starving artist” has no place in our vision; we believe in supporting our dancers and collaborators with the respect, resources, and recognition they deserve. By offering stable, sustainable employment and fostering an environment where creativity can flourish, we aim to set a new standard in the ballet industry.
Our performing arts center in Yonkers will be a cornerstone of this mission. It will be a space where innovative performances, educational programs, and community events can take place, making the arts accessible to all. By engaging with local organizations, schools, and community groups, we hope to inspire a new generation of dancers and arts enthusiasts while also enriching the cultural landscape of Yonkers.
Ultimately, our goal is to use the power of ballet to address complex social issues and promote civic engagement. Through our performances and outreach initiatives, we aim to spark dialogue, encourage empathy, and inspire positive change. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what ballet can be, creating works that are not only artistically excellent but also socially relevant and impactful.
In summary, my mission with MorDance is to transform the ballet world into a more inclusive, equitable, and dynamic space. Our vision for a permanent home in Yonkers is a crucial part of this journey, providing a foundation for community engagement, creative exploration, and meaningful change. By redefining the role and reality of ballet companies and dancers, we strive to create a legacy of artistry, equity, and community that will resonate for years to come.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the profound impact my work can have on inspiring and uniting communities. Through MorDance, I have the incredible opportunity to drive social change by creating works that address important issues and tell compelling stories. Watching audiences connect with our performances and engage in meaningful dialogue is deeply fulfilling. I love seeing how ballet can transcend language and cultural barriers, bringing people together and fostering a sense of shared humanity.
Another aspect I cherish is being a role model for my daughter. It brings me immense joy to know that she gets to watch me do something I love for work. She sees firsthand the dedication, passion, and creativity that go into my art, and I hope this inspires her as she grows. I look forward to the day when she discovers her own passion and pursues it with the same fervor. Balancing my roles as an artist and a mother is challenging but incredibly rewarding, as it allows me to integrate my personal and professional lives in a way that feels meaningful and impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mordance.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mordance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorDance/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-mcewen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJ0gz5UeVIeMh0so4UUdEA
Image Credits
Meredith Lawerence – First Picture
Performance photos of dancers – Kelsey Campbel
Ribbon Cutting picture – Vincent Cento