Heidi Duckler Dance Announces 2022 Artist In Residence Program

Los Angeles-based dance company Heidi Duckler Dance has announced the Artist in Residence @ Heidi Duckler Dance program, a program that centers cultural and artistic exchange, nurtures experimentation, and supports research and the development of new work.

"The idea to host an artist-in residence came up as our company returned to work at our headquarters in the historic Bendix Building in downtown Los Angeles. As we began to invite audiences to return to our live performances, we noticed our own internal struggles with isolation. It occurred to me that an artist from another community could help nurture meaningful exchange, explore ideas with us, and together we might find new inspiration that would enrich our lives and practice," said Heidi Duckler

The first artist in residence for this inaugural program will be Ching Ching Wong. Ching Ching will be acting as choreographer and creative director for the company, in addition to teaching for and performing in Heidi Duckler programming during her residency. Her residency dates are April 4, 2022 - June 30, 2022.

Heidi Duckler has asked me to fly off a building, jump out a yellow Mustang, and swim in a pond dressed as a duck. When she asked me to be Heidi Duckler Dance's inaugural artist in residence, I said QUACK, YES! Heidi Duckler Dance is a laboratory of creation where lightness and vulnerability sit side by side, where artists from all mediums are encouraged to explore the unknown, and where communities from all corners of the world and of all ages come to gather. The world is heavy and our hearts are aching, so now, more than ever, I see the invaluable need for human connection. As Artist in Residence for Heidi Duckler Dance, I am honored to have this chance to create with you, to connect with you, and to possibly be a duck with you.
- Ching Ching Wong

Initially founded in 1985, HDD is a pioneer in producing interdisciplinary performances. The company develops and rehearses each multi-sensory experience in the site where the work is performed. HDD advances social equity in under-resourced communities by providing opportunities for audience members and students to interact with meaningful spaces, both public and private, that they may not otherwise have access to.

These innovative experiences allow participants to view these places, and their communities, in new and interesting ways. Over the past 35 years, HDD's Artistic Director, Heidi Duckler, has created over 400 original works locally, nationally and internationally, including in many LA neighborhoods such as: Downtown LA (the Historic Core, Arts District, Produce District and Fashion District), Boyle Heights, Koreatown, Studio City, Van Nuys, Hollywood, Venice, San Pedro and South LA. Duckler's work has been internationally recognized in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Urban Arts Festival 2007), Russia (Link Vostok International East-West Arts Exchange 2010), Montreal (Transatlantique Quartier 2013), Germany (Tanzmesse, 2014 and 2018), Australia (Brisbane Festival 2014), Cuba (Ciudad en Movimiento 2016) and Chile (Puerto de Ideas 2018). This year HDD was awarded grants for upcoming performances and arts education initiatives including; LA County Department of Arts and Culture, City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs, New Music/USA, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, City of Ojai, City of West Hollywood and Culver City, Green Foundation, Jerry Kohl, Olga Garay-English, California Community Foundation - Arts Recovery, GROW Annenberg Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. HDD produces over 25 original productions each year, and thousands of diverse residents are served annually.

Visit http://www.heididuckler.org for more information.

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