ARTrepreneur of the Month–October 2014
Artistic director and choreographer Garrett Ammon (left) and producing director Dawn Fay (right) observe Wonderbround dancers. Photo: Amanda Tipton.
Artistic director and choreographer Garrett Ammon, along with producing director Dawn Fay, created Wonderbound, a new American dance company in the heart of the River North Art District (RiNo). Garrett has created over 50 ballets, is a recipient of the 2013 Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and is the October 2014 ARTrepreneur of the Month.
1) Briefly tell me your story. How did you get into ballet and choreography?
I found my way to dance through choral music and theatre as a teenager. Over time, I discovered that dance was where I felt most at home and everything else fell away as I focused my energies on my ballet training.
I started my professional career at Houston Ballet after graduating from their academy and went on to dance with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Ballet Memphis and Trey McIntyre Project. During that time I had the pleasure of working with a wide range of choreographers and directors. I began creating my own work in Memphis and founded an annual choreography workshop called Interiorworks that the dancers continue to produce to this day.
Memphis was also where I met my wife Dawn Fay who is Wonderbound’s producing director. We knew we wanted to lead our own company one day which led us to taking the job in Denver.
2) Tell me about Wonderbound. How is it different from other dance companies?
Though Dawn and I love the rigor and discipline of classical ballet, in a modern world that is running on a minimum viable product model and embraces self-produced media as entertainment, the classical arts can seem priggish and staid. When we moved to Denver seven years ago, we began dismantling the traditions that felt unnecessary.
We removed the hierarchical structures of a ballet company, making all of the dancers and staff equals. We reframed the creation process as a dialog among the artists and built a team that puts the art first in all of our endeavors. Today 20 of the 22 people on our regular payroll self-identify as artists.
We began collaborating with artists across a spectrum of mediums to break down the silos that separate art forms and discovered that we could create transformative experiences that are not easily defined but embrace a shared humanity that resonates with a diverse audience. Today, every one of Wonderbound’s productions is a collaborative endeavor, whether we are working with musicians, visual artists, writers, magicians or actors. Not only that, but we are now in our third year of presenting all live music seasons.
Wonderbound rehearsals are open to the public. Pedestrians watch the dancers through the open glass garage doors. Photo: Amanda Tipton.
3) Tell me about Wonderbound’s location.
When we moved to our new home, we were able to realize a rehearsal space that was inviting, expansive and transparent. We affectionately named the 1920’s post office garage “Junction Box” for its unassuming architecture and location at the intersection of three major thoroughfares, but most importantly for the idea that it could serve as a gathering place and nerve center to animate the area with ongoing creative energy.
In our new home, the opinionated glare of full-length mirrors were replaced by couches; and confining walls were replaced by open space, natural light and two twelve-foot transparent garage doors that open onto the street. This was a space where people could visit without feeling like they were intruding.
Virtually every day we have guests in our space who, depending on the hour and day they show up, may see a full run through of a new ballet, an inspired period of rapid choreographic creation or an agonizingly slow process of negotiating just a few seconds of movement.
Today, we no longer have any expectation that we can perfect and refine something before it is shared with the outside world and, to do our best work, we must be comfortable with allowing ourselves to be utterly vulnerable in front of total strangers.
4) What advice would you give to upcoming dancers or dance companies?
If you are a working artist, you likely know–or have known–what it is to spend the evening out at a gala, art opening, nice restaurant, or performance – where you socialized with business leaders, officials and philanthropists – only to return home to an empty refrigerator that would remain that way for another week because the rent had to be paid. And, you also likely know what it is to have a conversation with someone who perceives the arts to be a luxury, highbrow, and only for the privileged-class – even though that same someone knows that you, an artist, are anything but a member of the privileged-class.
As artists, we exist in a unique space in our culture, continually living with one foot planted firmly in a humble and meager existence, while the other is placed in a world of privilege and prosperity. We have the opportunity, and perhaps even the responsibility, to act as connectors and educators in a world that is so often thrown askew from misperception and distrust. If we fully embrace this role, perhaps we have a much greater chance of actualizing a compassionate society that values its diversity and complexity, rather than fearing people who don’t live like us.
Artistic director Garrett Ammon choreographs Wonderbound company dancers for a production. Photo: Amanda Tipton.
5) Any upcoming events or productions?
We are working with musicians from the Colorado Symphony to present “Enduring Grace” on October 18-26th. This fun production features my “Serenade for Strings” which will also have its West Coast premiere with San Francisco’s Smuin Ballet. “Enduring Grace” will also include the world premiere of Sarah Tallman’s “Son of Man” which was inspired by the 20th Century surrealist painters.
We are also very excited for our December 10-18th production “Winter”, which will be a collaboration with Denver Singer/Songwriter Jesse Manley. This new work will engage all five senses, with projection mapping by Kristopher Collins, scents by Michelle Roark of Viola Salon, and food by Amerigo, Devil’s Food, and Sugarmill.
Finally, our rehearsals are always open to the public. We highly encourage anyone interested to come by our studio at 1075 Park Avenue West to catch a bit of our work. We just ask that they call (303-292-4700) to confirm rehearsal times.
For more information about Wonderbound and other events visit wonderbound.com.
Category: ARTrepreneurship
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