Attending the last campus session really made me think about what I've been doing the past year. When i first started this course, i did say that i wanted to start my own community dance company and i guess that's what i have been doing although it's only now i'm beginning to think i'm working backwards. I should have been using the blogs to let you know how it was going and most importantly to seek advice and answers to so many difficult questions I've faced along the way. Truthfully, i feel that a lot of mistakes have been made but what better to do with mistakes? than learn from them. Lack of knowledge, experience and guidance were all contributors.
Today, i went round to see the vicar at my local church. They have a massive hall space that is currently being renovated and i think it will be a perfect space to uproot 'A3 dance company' to. Right now, my company is based in an amazing studio, within a local secondary school. It's everything i want, a massive space, full mirrored walls, a full length ballet bar, sprung floors and even a white board to write on when i feel like giving the kids some theory practice. Sounds perfect doesn't it? So why would i want to move?
It is just to expensive! Had i really thought about it back in march 2011 when i decided to launch A3, i would have seriously reconsidered. I just don't have enough children to pay the full studio price every week so i'm having to use my own finances (which are pretty low, considering i'm in between jobs) to fund the classes, to be honest, i can see this not turning out so well and then what will become of A3, it's only just begun!!
So now 11 months down the line, i know i have to sacrifice my "perfect" studio for a church hall. On the other hand, is it really a sacrifice? I mean, i learnt to dance in a community hall, most of the best classes i attended growing up were in halls without mirrors, you don't become so reliant on them. Is it about the space, or what is created within the space? If pioneers of community dance companies didn't have a "perfect" space, would it mean they would never be? Just something I've given myself to think about.
I now have 14 dedicated children in my class i hold on a Saturday. I call them my 'A3 juniorz' and they are doing amazingly they make me so happy. Last summer i managed to book them into their first 4 shows, mainly community festivals and their confidence as a class or company should i say has been on the up ever since. Sometimes thinking about A3 makes me anxious and i question weather it could really turn out to be the company I've imagined having for years. There's so much to do! How will i bring it forward and give it a solid place within the community and how do i get people in and most importantly, will i keep them interested? Not to mention keeping a float on the financial side of things. Maybe i tried to think big to fast. I need to chill, not take a back seat but let things develop naturally with a little push.
I'm working with a graphic designer at the moment to develop brand new flyers, a blurb and a website for A3 dance company, just some of the tools i will need to market my business. Hopefully i'll be able to upload drafts soon.
If anyone has any advice or guidance that you think i could use, i am very willing to try suggestions.
Also if you get a chance, check out the page i have already set up on Facebook for A3 dance Company and like it! Keep up to date with classes and whats going on in general at A3. Thanks in advance ;)
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A3-Dance-Company/199781026715600
