PULSE/impulse II: Reflections from the Producer

Talent. Grace. Grit. Humor. Integrity. Thoughtful engagement with our time.

This past weekend Minnesota Dance Consort presented PULSE/impulse: A Curated Contemporary Dance Series (II)at Elision Playhouse, bringing together five choreographers and their companies for three performances of new work:

• Corpus Dance Works — Lily Conforti and Erin Evens

• Algae Productions — Lillian Kline

• Nritya Kalakshetra Academy — Guru Sivanuja Balaji

• Tessa Longshore

• Holly Trenbath

Each artist brought a distinct voice to the stage, digging into their own aesthetics and choreographic styles. The program offered a range of perspectives on relationships, the challenges of the present moment, and the many ways artists are responding to the world around them. Throughout the weekend audiences responded with enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation for the work being shared. There were also welcome moments of humor and comic relief—reminders that dance can speak to our time with both depth and playfulness.

Although a late winter storm forced the cancellation of our Sunday matinee, the performances that did take place created a lively exchange between artists and audiences. Gatherings like this reaffirm why spaces for new work matter. They allow artists to test ideas, audiences to encounter new voices, and communities to come together around shared creative experience.

As producer of the series, I want to thank these artists for bringing their creativity, drive, and commitment to the stage. It was a privilege to present their work and to share it with our audiences at Elision Playhouse. I am grateful for the trust these choreographers placed in Minnesota Dance Consort and curious to see where their creative explorations lead in the years ahead.

PULSE/impulse III will return in Fall 2027, and Minnesota Dance Consort looks forward to continuing to support choreographers who are shaping the future of dance in our community.