Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Green.
Hi Linda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Twenty-Three years ago, I attended a dance convention with whom the director was an acquaintance. We talked during lunch, and he asked if I would be interested in organizing an event in St. Louis that would celebrate National Dance Week. He told me that NYC was holding a public performance event, hoping to revive the celebratory week. As I pondered what I could potentially do and how it could be meaningful, it occurred to me that for the many years that I had been a studio owner in St. Louis, I always felt that the city had a “lonely” dance community. Studios were not connecting in significant ways, and there was no reason they could and should not do so. If I could organize a dance day involving like-minded dancers on one stage, that would be something to celebrate. So it was decided that I would offer an event that was reflective of the quality of dance in our community, unify the dancers of our community, and ultimately positively impact our community.
Our first event was held in 1997 at St. Louis Union Station. Our tiny stage consisted of wood squares that measured about a measly 12×12 feet placed on a concrete floor. Union Station generously told me that they had a sound system we could use, but unfortunately, to avoid the terrible static sound emanating over the speakers. My poor husband had to delicately hold a cable in place for our entire one-and-a-half-hour performance (for those of you who have been performing for decades, you know these struggles all too well). We had about six groups that performed; we made it through and had a decent audience. It was a lovely day. What more could you ask for?
Since my youth, growing up and performing in NYC, I have been dedicated and passionate about dance and have always welcomed hard work. In the twenty-second season of National Dance Week, I am thrilled to tell you that our event is highly recognized and anticipated among studio owners, dance companies, university companies, dancers, and audiences. The excitement and enthusiasm among the dancers and artistic directors have become a very strong presence at our event, where now we feature over 50 studios and dance troops. The audience overflows the performance venue, which moved in 2015 from Union Station to Grand Center, the Heart of the Arts and Entertainment District. We are a featured event by news outlets throughout the city. We have to turn dancers away due to time constraints.
Several years ago, we established the annual St. Louis NDW Honorary Dance Company Award, given to a dance company that has shown both dedication and passion in its work. Over the years, that honor has gone to MADCO, aTrek Dance Theatre, Afriky Lolo, The Slaughter Project, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Viva Flamenco, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Missouri Ballet Theatre, Ashleyliane Dance Company, Saint Louis Ballet, Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, Karlovsky & Company, and WUDance Collective.
We have also had the honor to include guest artists and speakers such as the Kansas City Ballet Company, Alvin Ailey, Jo Rowan (Dance Chairman Oklahoma City University), and Compagnie Kafig. We have had the pleasure to hold various master dance classes and injury prevention workshops.
The local businesses who have been steadfast supporters helping to make our event a success are: Grand Center Inc., Third Baptist Church, Dancewear Solutions, Dance St. Louis, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Graphic Designs STL, AudioActive Projects, Stages, Capezio, Eureka Sign, and Display, Glenn Sowder, Regency Enterprises, R&R Sanitation, Warning Lites of Southern Illinois, ShyVision Photography and Mr.Video Productions.
To sum up, I continue to spearhead this event year after year, along with a dedicated committee, because I can see the synergy and enthusiasm that has developed over the past 23 years. Dance is so many things to so many people. Still, it is also an activity that transcends age, gender, culture, and nationality and brings many people together to celebrate movement, artistry, and entertainment. When fifty dance companies come together to present a multitude of dance disciplines, each performance is cheered on as loudly as the previous performance. Something special links us all together and makes us proud of our community and its people.
Our event is a testament to the thrill an audience receives being entertained, and the positive impact performers have due to one single word: DANCE! This year’s event is held on April 22, 2023. Noon – 5:00. Please visit our website www.nationaldanceweekstl.com and Like us on Facebook!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I strongly believe that all obstacles and challenges we encounter are lessons put on our path that allow us to learn, grow and improve. There have certainly been many obstacles and challenges over the past 23 years with NDW. But that is exactly why we now have a history of 23 years of learning, growing, and improving.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Founder, Artistic Director, and Advisory Director of the St. Louis Academy of Dance, a veteran of stage, film, and television, received her training at Ballet Arts in New York. She studied under Lisan Kay, Vladimir Dokoudovsky, Julliard School of Music, Neighborhood Playhouse of New York, Louis Horst, Martha Graham, and Luigi, to name a few. Her professional credits include West Side Story, Finnian’s Rainbow, The Emperor’s New Clothes, U.S. Steel Hour, Jackie Gleason Show, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Robert Montgomery, The Web, The Goldbergs, The Defenders, and N.Y. Confidential, and more.
I have served as Missouri State Director for National Dance Week; from 1997 to the present. She has served as the Missouri State Coordinator for Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth’s Emmy Award-winning production; None for the Road, Artistic Consultant for the International Touring Company; Broadway Tonite, Artistic Director; La Troupe de Jazz, Pazazz Performers, Grand DanceFest, and Artists for a Cause; Dance for Food, a member of the Board of Directors: Atrek Contemporary Dance, Consortium Committee; Dance St. Louis, Sub-Committee; Dance St. Louis Festival, Advisory Committee; Stages Performing Arts Academy and Development Director for Art For Rural America.
Pricing:
- FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NationalDanceWeekSTL.com
- Facebook: National Dance Week, St. Louis
- Youtube: NationalDance Week, St. Louis
Image Credits
Jonathan White Photography, ShyVision Photography
