Cleveland Dance Fest: A Platform Where Artists Thrive and Voices Resonate

I have had the privilege of being involved with Cleveland Dance Fest as a choreographer, audience member, and performer the last three years, and each season I am astounded by the burgeoning scope of CDF, the flourishing community of artists it has cultivated, and the influx of audiences, dance makers, and performers attracted across Ohio, the regional Midwest, and beyond.

This year I had the opportunity to share my piece House of Glass and perform in Morgan Walker’s commissioned work Happily Ever Never. Working as a choreographer and dance artist in the months leading up to the festival was an incredibly rewarding learning experience in which I felt supported by The Movement Project, whose dedicated team consistently provided CDF’s artists with well-organized, easily accessible information and resources.

CDF 2024 Artist: Angelina DiFranco
*“House of Glass”*
Photo Credit: Black Valve - Evan Prunty

TMP’s unwavering commitment to inclusion and tailoring the festival to meet the needs of every participating artist also made CDF 2024 especially meaningful, marking a year of significant growth and discovery while opening the door to new possibilities. The stage layout at Ariel LaSalle Theater was reimagined to create a wheelchair-accessible performance space, paving the way for the exciting inclusion of two physically integrated works. I am thrilled that the implementation of a wheelchair-accessible stage will continue to diversify and further enrich our community. It was equally exciting to witness presenting and performing artists contribute to ideas surrounding reimagined performance spaces. Elyse Kassa (she/her), for example, performed the entirety of this and a spare room on the raised alcove.

As a performer, I was enthralled with dancing on a stage that was level with the audience, as it created opportunities for interaction and invited audience participation in various pieces. It also made the space feel more open and dynamic during masterclasses, enhancing the overall experience in a truly enriching way.

This spirit of inclusion and engagement went beyond the stage, shaping the festival as a whole. I was especially moved by how many opportunities TMP created for artists to connect with fellow creators, movers, and audience members. Community-building events throughout the weekend felt intentionally curated to foster lasting relationships between artists, TMP, and fellow presenters. The inclusion of the artist gathering, professional masterclasses, and the post-show closing reception all contributed to an environment of connection, collaboration, and shared experience.

In addition to these in-person connections, a big contributor to this sense of community was TMP’s use of social media to raise awareness about the festival and bridge artists with each other and the broader public. One of my favorite aspects was how they engaged with presenting artists through interviews. The interview with Elyse Morckel (she/her) and the care and intention in which it was conducted made me feel truly seen and valued, reinforcing that our voices and perspectives play a pivotal role in shaping the dance community. I also thoroughly enjoyed scrolling through TMP’s social media to discover the works artists were bringing to the festival and eagerly anticipating their performances.

The masterclasses, expertly led by seasoned teachers Chitra Subramanian (she/her) and Elliot Reza Emadian (they/them), offered another layer of connection and growth. These classes were especially fulfilling and left myself and fellow artists with a lasting impact. Throughout both classes, there were several moments in which participants were encouraged to move as a collective, connect with new people, and observe each other.

Elliot’s Contemporary Releasing Techniques, which invited dancers to explore sensations of falling, exploding, and harnessing momentum while exploring repertory from their choreography, created a wonderful opportunity to connect and check-in with our bodies, the space, and fellow participants, setting a mindful and vibrant tone for the day. Chitra’s Bridging Stories and Cultures: Indian Classical Dance & Hip Hop was a transformative class that allowed us to push our bodies in high-energy, rhythmic, and dynamic ways. It provided a full community experience, where we shared meaningful moments of dance with one another.

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with some of the wonderful participating artists, reminiscing about cherished memories and reliving some of the most unforgettable moments from the masterclasses. Kylie Karam (she/her), choreographer of and dancer in bare, shared that participating in the masterclass and “being able to artistically connect with [her] fellow CDF artists and presenters prior to the performance” was her favorite part of the weekend. “The little community that was created during this weekend made me feel very valued and uplifted,” Kylie reflected. Demarco Sleeper (he/him), performing artist in Show 4’s House of Glass and Happily Ever Never, added that the festival and masterclasses provided him with an incredibly challenging, rewarding, and transformative journey. “I had the opportunity to explore new movement styles, connect with other artists, and push the boundaries of my creativity in ways that I hadn’t anticipated.”

I also had the joy of conversing with Chitra following the festival weekend, who shared, “Coming back to experience the festival, perform work, and teach, was deeply moving for me and grounded me in the inspiration I felt when I lived in [Cleveland] and gave me a platform to share the growth I've experienced as a person and artist. The community here is so rich, powerful, and diverse, and I am always looking for ways to come back.”

TMP’s own Liz Conway (she/her) expressed, “It’s so important for the dance community to have a centralized place to connect and share their work.” Chitra’s experience stands as a testament to the value of such a space in our community, which not only draws people back to Cleveland but also facilitates a space for connection and creative exchange.

Melissa Ajayi, choreographer of Un-Inanimate, praised the undeniable professionalism of CDF, specifically highlighting how the power outage that impacted tech and Show 1 was handled. The emphasis on transparency, communication, and collaborative decision-making transformed what could have been a larger setback into an opportunity for further community building. Melissa went on to emphasize the importance of TMP’s work in Cleveland, stating, “As one of only a handful of local presenting opportunities for individual artists in Cleveland, I am grateful for TMP and all the work that goes into such a feat. It was really enjoyable to come together with local and regional artists of different genres, and at various stages of our careers, to celebrate each other’s work through classes, performance, film, and just spending time together connecting through our artform.”

CDF has had a profound impact on both artists and art enthusiasts in Cleveland and beyond through this invaluable opportunity to connect, collaborate, create, and captivate audiences. This platform has directly fostered professional growth and gave space for the participating artists to leave a lasting mark on the ever-evolving landscape of dance. Elyse Morckel, who has been involved with the festival since its inception, shared, “Over the years, the festival has expanded the breadth of choreographic voices shaping the dance movement in our region. Never did I imagine being so lucky to be part of a platform that is redefining who shapes the future of dance in the 21st century.”

The Movement Project (Megan L. Gargano, Elyse Morckel, Liz Conway)

As a choreographer and performer, I left the festival weekend feeling valued, inspired, and embraced, and I am beyond excited to celebrate a decade of CDF in November 2025. Megan L. Gargano, artistic director and founder, expressed, “We look forward to taking a moment to really absorb the magnitude of this festival, the strong community connections that have been made, the friendships that have been forged, and the many more years to come in our efforts to support artists. We're so thankful for each and every person who has been a part of CDF through the years."

I eagerly anticipate the boundless possibilities, ongoing evolution, and lasting impact that will unfold as CDF continues to grow and uphold its mission of supporting fellow artists.