Ballet Unboxed

• • 3ARTS MATCH
  • 134% contributed

Ballet Unboxed is a series of workshops and classes designed to welcome dialogue about and exchange ways of learning and experiencing Ballet. In collaboration with a cohort of dance educators, we hope to lead participants through transformative movement practices and reflective discussions about the impact of Ballet in both personal and professional respects.  

About This Project

As a dancer, I was trained in the Classical, Russian Vaganova method of Ballet. It was natural when I began to teach Ballet to others that I followed the same method as my early instructors. In my experience, Ballet methods tend to be authoritative and prescriptive, with a rigid emphasis on visual aesthetics. I have since been introduced to other forms of dance and alternative teaching methodologies. This shift in perspective has motivated me to reevaluate my relationship with Ballet and to learn from others engaged in similar questioning.

I’ve invited a group of movement artists/educators to join me in designing and leading a series of free workshops devoted to this personal and professional exploration. These collaborators include Alyssa Gregory, Ashwaty Chennat, Ayako Kato, Brandon Avery, Darling Squire, Joshua Ishmon, Lauren Reed, Ysaÿe McKeever, and myself. My role in this project is to produce the series overall and facilitate the development of each workshop. Some of the prompts to be explored are:

• What is your current relationship to Ballet, both from an emotional and physical perspective?
• How do you define “non-traditional” in the context of Ballet?
• How have other styles of dance, or art in general, informed your relationship with Ballet and vice versa?

I plan to document the workshop development process and publish it on a website. This will take the form of Q&As between myself and educators, personal blog/reflection posts, and a compilation of teaching/pedagogy resources. This digital platform will provide context to the workshops before they are held and serve as a living, archived resource afterward.

This series will welcome a wide spectrum of people: from those who have no prior Ballet experience, to the Ballet-curious, to former Ballet students and professional dancers with deep Ballet backgrounds, and everything in between!

While this project feels like a “first,” it is a continuation of other production work I have done for several years. Since 2017, I’ve collaborated on the J e l l o Performance Series which has resulted in more than 30 shows that have supported more than 200 artists in sharing creative work. To say the least, I am an active member of the Chicago dance community and thrive on behind-the-scenes work to support artists and bring people together in this field.

With contributions to this campaign, we will be able to support fees for collaborators for their time and teaching, venue rental, documentation, and other administrative costs. Thank you for your help in making this series that will open up a space to shed new light, experience various approaches to Ballet, shift perspectives, and spark conversations.

Thank yous

Contribute any amount or choose from the levels below.

• $15
  Social media shoutout and acknowledgement on project website ($15.00 is tax deductible.)
• $30
  Above, plus a guaranteed spot in a workshop/class of your choice ($30.00 is tax deductible.)
• $75
  All of the above, plus a 1-hour chat with Tuli about the process behind this project ($75.00 is tax deductible.)
• $150
  All of the above, plus a 1-hour private Ballet session with Tuli ($75.00 is tax deductible.)
• $250
  All of the above, plus a Bengali dinner cooking lesson and meal with Tuli ($100.00 is tax deductible.)

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Tuli Bera

Make a Wave Artist

Tuli Bera (she/they) is a Bengali-American movement artist. They draw from various styles of dance: Indian folk and classical forms, Classical (early teachers include Gwendolyn Lee and Deanna Doty) and Contemporary Ballet, Modern and Contemporary dance forms (Horton, Graham, Umufundalai, …

View Tuli Bera's profile

• 3 updates
• 95 supporters

• Update 1: 3arts has matched!

  Posted on April 15, 2024

   

  First I'd like to express my gratitude to all the supporters that have directly contributed to this campaign, to all the supporters that have shared this project across their networks and platforms and to everyone who believes in me and what I'm sharing. I want to acknowledge that this is a deeply sensitive time for many of us financially, emotionally, and maybe even physically. To show up during this time for my project, words cannot describe how grateful I am.

  We have reached the $2,000 milestone which kicked in the 3arts match. With 18 days to go, we are $1,615 away from reaching the campaign goal of $6,000. I am confident that we can make it! Please continue to share with others you believe will be interested in engaging with this project. 

   

  Update 2: Project Update- First class is open for registration!

  Posted on August 12, 2024

   

  Hello! I'm excited to be writing here with an update about "Ballet Unboxed". Our first class is on the books and is open for registration! The rest of the schedule will be announced as dates are set so stay tuned :) 

  If you are in Chicago, or maybe even visiting, you can stay in the loop about upcoming class/workshop announcements by: 

  1. Visiting the website: https://www.tuli.space/ballet-workshops/about 

  2. Following the Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ballet_unboxed_

  For folks who are not based in Chicago, I am hoping that the Instagram and website will still offer a way to engage with the project. You'll be seeing posts that will highlight each educator: their journey with Ballet and how they are "unboxing" Ballet through the classes/workshops they teach. I have a feeling the class descriptions will be interesting to read (I am very much looking forward to discovering and learning from the unique perspective that each educator has to offer)! 

  I'd also like to express my gratitude once again. This project would not be possible without your support! I am so blown away by the engagement I received during the campaign. And the support continues-- I am so grateful. If you have any thoughts, ideas, feedback, or questions please do not hesitate to reach out! There is a contact page on my website if you don't have my personal email or phone number. 

  Update 3: Project Update - Last Workshop of 2024!

  Posted on December 02, 2024

  

   

  "Let's go to the Ballet!"

  Hello! The 12th and final Ballet Unboxed workshop of 2024 is coming up in less than a week! Ashwaty Chennat and I will co-lead this workshop: 

  TITLE: "Let's Go To The Ballet!" 

   

  WHEN: SUNDAY, December 8th, 2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

   

  WHERE: BIM BOM STUDIO (5226 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60641)

   

  You can register here. I hope to see you there!

   

   

   

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