Downtown school and presenter Dance New Amsterdam in crisis [with UPDATE 9/12]

News arrived yesterday of the sudden laying off of Dance New Amsterdam's entire staff as a result of failure to reach an agreement that would keep the 29-year-old educational and presenting organization going through bankruptcy and restructuring. This unanticipated development leaves not only staff, faculty, students and artist residents scrambling for alternatives but numerous dance troupes facing the challenge of securing new venues for upcoming performance seasons in which they had already heavily invested.

InfiniteBody will post links to reports and discussions of this issue and information on resources as these materials become available. Please forward your notes and announcements to infinitebody[at]outlook[dot]com or use the comments section here to share your thoughts, ideas and relevant information.

Thank you!

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Dance Center Seeks Help Keeping Doors Open
by Jacqueline Palank, The Wall Street Journal (8/29)

Dance New Amsterdam posts announcement on bankruptcy and closure (8/29)

Curtain Closes on Dance New Amsterdam
by Nadine DeNinno, International Business Times (8/29)

UPDATES

DNA raises $50,000, will remain open for business at least through next week. Click here for more information.

September 4 update from DNA:

First and foremost, we are working with the court and our landlord toward a definitive date on which we present a viable plan for DNA’s future. We hope to have that definitive date on or before Thursday, September 12, our next court date.

In the meantime, DNA will be fully open through the end-of-day on Thursday, September 12th. We’ll be running with a smaller administrative staff, but our faculty and modern guest artists will be here as usual.

Click here for complete text of update.

September 12 Update from DNA

Dear DNA Community, Today we have reached an agreement with our landlord, Fram Realty, that allows DNA to remain at its current location through mid-October, after which DNA has agreed to leave 280 Broadway.  However, Fram Realty has agreed, in good faith, to continue to listen to any viable proposals DNA presents to it. Our agreement is being documented and submitted to the Bankruptcy Court for approval. Classes and rentals will be running through October 13. Know that we continue to work on a solution to support the DNA teachers, students,  artist,  audiences,  etc.; but as of yet,  we have not been able to secure a partner or find another solution that would allow us to meet DNA's business responsibilities and remain at 280 Broadway. The DNA Community is more than a 280 Broadway space; it exists regardless of where we work, dance, teach, create, and perform. For our part, we will help keep the lines of communication open between teachers, students, artists, and community supporters while looking for ways to keep our programs alive.  In the meantime, please come take class and rehearse! With great respect and awe, Catherine A. PeilaExecutive/Artistic Director