Eidolon

The Eidolon Ballet, established in 1999, was incorporated in 2002 and received its 501 (c) (3) status in 2003. Founded by three freelance dancers who shared a dream to build an off-season ballet company for professional dancers who would like to prepare for a second career and who were also interested in reviving a valuable practice from the past, in which ballet directors gathered composers and musicians, choreographers and dancers, painters and designers together to create a new and often unorthodox work. Following in the footsteps of this unity-in-diversity tradition, Eidolon provides seasoned dancers with an opportunity to explore ways to collaborate with colleagues and experiment with innovative ideas while continuing to hone their craft. The company serves as a dynamic center for fledgling artists as well as for dancers who are seeking an alternate route for their careers. These artists have a strong commitment to dance and are dedicated to realizing their full potential in the performing arts. Some are also motivated to become educators and others want to learn the principles of choreography, costume, set, sound and lighting design, stage management and publicity, knowledge that is essential for pursuing a different career path in dance or the theater.As a way to accommodate the needs of dancers who require a nurturing environment in order to be able to express their artistic ideas freely and allow for a close and personal interaction between company members, Eidolon Ballet maintains a small scale so as to avoid any sense of intimidation that can result from a larger and more impersonal setting. The work of its artists ranges from studio performances, children’s performances and small theatre presentations to those that can be staged in a large theatre with orchestra. The company provides a testing ground for the creation of ballets where a gifted choreographer is provided with a setting for the performance of a new work. In this connection, it is a strong supporter of new and innovative works. Eidolon also supports the professional development of its members through an educational program that focuses on non-performance skills. Company members are given the opportunity to apprentice with dance and theatrical professionals in all phases of performance and management and are invited to mentor new dancers who have joined the company.COMMUNITY NEED FOR PROJECTThe founders recognized the need for a medium that would allow artists to explore new ideas, spearhead avant-garde works and have a venue in which their works could be performed. Located in the a culturally diverse city of New York, the company is dedicated to making dance more accessible to the community at large, fostering an environment that encourages artists to fuse their multifaceted legacy and stylistic concepts into exciting projects. Bringing the magic of ballet to local audiences by showcasing these elements in works that are designed to have a strong appeal for a large radius of people enables dancers to witness the results of their efforts through live performances.In addition to furthering their training in dance, the artists are taught the fundamentals of administration and management principles, technical production and artistic vision. Since many of these dancers are in a transitional phase, they often have to decide which direction to choose for the next step in their career. Eidolon’s focus on the various aspects of the performing arts enables them to develop a greater level of professional grounding and versatility, resulting in the formation of a generation of self-sufficient dancers who possess the requisite skills to work for a theatrical company as a manager, technical advisor or even start their own company.Visit us on the web at http://www.eidolonballet.org