Dixon Place

In its 36th year, Dixon Place (DP) remained dedicated to the creation, development, and presentation of new original works in the performing and literary arts, inspiring and encouraging artists to take risks, explore new ideas and practices, and accelerate their work to the next level. DPs primary goals are to provide opportunities and resources that allow creators to challenge themselves artistically, develop high quality new work, strengthen their audience base, and further their careers. With programs that provide developmental opportunities for professional performing artists, DP remains one of the only organizations exclusively dedicated to supporting artists from readings and workshop presentations all the way to fully realized productions, making the organization distinctive in the NYC landscape of performing arts presenters. In total, Dixon Place presented approximately 120 theater, dance, music, and literary events from January through December 2022, serving over 250 artists or companies and over 5700 members of the community. The breakdown of programs and artists served are as follows:COMMISSIONING & PRODUCTION PROGRAMSEstablished in 1994, DPs COMMISSIONING & PRODUCTION PROGRAM is the cornerstone of our programming, providing comprehensive support that empowers artists to develop and present courageous new work. Each production receives access to DP facilities for meetings and auditions; artistic fees of $6,000$15,000 per production for writers, directors, designers, choreographers, dramaturges, and performers; a production manager and full technical support, as well as marketing, publicity, and administrative assistance; and a performance run. Prior to the pandemic, DPs commissioned productions received 60+ hours of rehearsal time; however, under our new programming model, artists in 2022 had exclusive use of the mainstage for the second straight year, meaning artists could create more extensive scenic elements and not be required to break down daily to make space for our formerly copious nightly programming. In 2022, DP commissioned and/or co-produced, and presented the following productions:Specially Processed American Me created by Jamie Sunwoo, was a musical play investigating the legacy and influence of SPAM on Asian culture as well as Jamies own personal history; premiered for 4 weeks in partnership with Ping Chong + Company.The Legend of the Waitress and the Robber, a comic-book style musical by Concrete Temple Theatre; performed in English and Korean with Korean theater company Playfactory; presented in partnership with Korean Cultural Center NY.[sunflower] by Sifiso Mabena, a DP commissioned production about immigration, displacement, and the complexities of diasporic identities; featuring elements of Afro-Surrealism, puppetry, original music, dance, and storytelling.Parent Plus Loans, a play by Camille Thomas merged humor, slam poetry, projections, and defining moments from Camille's past to analyze the student debt racket and how it affects students of color. The Village by Nora Burns, set in 1979 NYC, the 10-character play combined comedic dialogue with disco dancing, period styles, and moments of metatheatre.Adding Fuel to the Fire by Yoshiko Chuma & the School of Hard Knocks, a DP dance commissioned production that was an allegory for the perpetual, endless circles of life, fluctuating between utopia and war.HOT FESTIVALThe oldest annual LGBTQIA+ festival in the world, HOT has pioneered queer arts and culture in NYC for over 30 years. This festival offers an artistic haven for so many underrepresented voices in our community and serves as a model for other LGBTQIA+ festivals. An extension of Pride, the HOT Festival traditionally takes place throughout the entire month of July, featuring theater, dance, spoken word, music, comedy, and hybrid performance. 2022 marked the HOT Festivals 31st anniversary. DANCE BLOC NYC FESTIVAL2022 also saw the second year of the DANCE BLOC NYC FESTIVAL, DPs inaugural dance festival, taking place over three days with six different programs, and featuring new works by 21 dance companies on the themes of Courage, Confront, and Conquer.SUBSIDIZED RENTAL PROGRAMDPs SUBSIDIZED RENTAL PROGRAM serves theater and dance companies who need affordable space to independently showcase their new work, a true rarity in New York, especially for artists and audiences with mobility challenges. Providing full front and back of house support, DPs amenities, professional services, and accessibility, we have built strong relationships with companies and many return annually. In 2022, this program supported New Camerata Opera, Navatman Dance Co., White Wave Dance Festival, Schallmusic, Pratt Institute, Aalokam Classical Dance Co., to name a few. PUPPETRY PROGRAMSince its inception in 2006, DPs popular annual program Puppet BloK (PB) has supported over 200 NYC area contemporary puppetry artists working in myriad forms of puppet theater including Marionettes, Shadow Puppetry, Object Theater, Bunraku, Hand and Rod, Toy Theater, Pageantry, Stop Motion Animation, and puppets ranging in size from fingers to full body puppets. PB perfectly aligns with DPs mission by providing opportunities for puppetry artists to develop new ideas, explore new forms, and foster new collaborations. Due to PBs success, the programs fundamental structure and format has been sustained with 4 artists featured each night, 4 different programs are curated to focus on exceptional artistry and inclusivity. Each night of performance is followed by a talkback designed to assist artists in the development of their new work. The Q&A also successfully serves to stimulate and educate audiences about puppetry and the process of creation. LITERARY PROGRAMIn 2022, two of DPs ongoing literary series returned with in-person events. Experiments & Disorders and Guerrilla Lit, featuring both early career and established writers presenting new work in fiction, poetry, performance text, and nonfiction.CULTURAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM (CECO) Dixon Places CULTURAL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM (CECO) has provided much-needed free creative workshops and performance opportunities for the underrepresented voices of culturally underserved, low-income youth and senior citizens for 22 years. Through experiential programs, participants discover their creative voices, develop original work, and perform for supportive audiences. By including voices rarely heard on a professional platform, CECO strengthens DPs mission and commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to nurture the creative process at every level of artistic pursuit. For the last few years, CECO has focused entirely on seniors. With the great agility, expertise, and leadership of our teaching artists of Concrete Temple Theatre, in 2022 elders successfully and gratefully participated in virtual and in-person workshops in theater, spoken word, and puppetry, culminating in well-attended free public performances. The seniors original work is always impressive, and their courage, commitment, and hopefulness are inspiring.