Welcome to the Dove Stage Project (https://www.instagram.com/dovestageproject/), a new performance initiative founded as a collective of Austin artists.
Dove Stage Project is a private venue reserved for the use of our chosen artists and carefully selected COVID safe audience. It is not available for rentals by the general public for events or performances.
Dove Stage Project Is:
Elaine Dove, Artistic Director/Creatrix In Chief (https://www.dovehealingarts.org)
Will Walker, Black Arts Director/Heels Diva https://www.instagram.com/princeofpumps/
Siobhan Alexis Jones, Tap Firestarter https://www.instagram.com/siobhanalexisjones/
Gina Lockwood, Aerialist https://www.instagram.com/circuspenguin22/
Lisa La Mar with Unbound Dreams, Collaborator and in Partial Residence https://www.facebook.com/Unbound-Dreams-Productions-240534726307408
Maddie Owens, Rhythmic Chameleon/Communications Director/Anti-racism Remediator https://www.instagram.com/maddieohhhwens/
Rick Jennings, Live Music Director and Gatekeeper of Audible Emotions https://www.instagram.com/rickvonrick/
Natalie George, Lighting Consultant/Designer https://www.instagram.com/nataliegeorgeproductions/
Michelle Hartz, MC and Technical Support https://www.instagram.com/mzhartz/
Andy Murov, The Wood Guy https://www.instagram.com/andy_murov
Andrea O’Sullivan, Virtual Problem Wrangler https://www.instagram.com/corvid.admin/
Buddy, Canine entertainment https://www.instagram.com/buddythestagedog/
The Dove Stage Project was founded in August 2020 in response to both the COVID-19 crisis in the United States and the Black Lives Matter movement. During the 2020 pandemic, dance and performing arts came to a complete halt in Austin, Texas, which previously had a vibrant performing arts and music scene.
As months have gone on, the future of performance venues and the performing arts in Austin seems less and less certain as funds for closed studios and venues dwindle with no reopening on the horizon. Dance athletes and performers of all types cannot safely perform in indoor venues or for crowds without endangering their safety and health.
Dove Stage Project was born as a way to give a small pod of artists the ability to continue creating and presenting work during the COVID-19 crisis. The artists also function as gatekeepers to bring other COVID safe artists to the venue, with an eye to giving opportunities to BIPOC/LGBTQ+ creators.
The Dove Stage Project consists of two simple outdoor stages, 12x12 and 16x20, on the secured grounds of a private Austin residence. It is designed this way both to ensure the safety of BIPOC/LGBTQ artists and to admit only a small, select number of COVID safe audience members to rehearsals or showings of work in progress. Since the stages are outdoors, it is easy for the performers to socially distance and work and dance safely, even in the Texas heat; we just have to schedule our rehearsals at creative times of day!
For performing artists, creating, dancing and sharing with others is what keeps us going in hard times. It is our hope that the Dove Stage Project will bring joy both to the small groups that may see our work in person, and to many others staying at home all over the world.
It is a journey of love and I hope it will bring all of you joy as we explore our way along it.
All donations go to things like lights, cables, chairs, cushions and the other things a small space needs.
Thank you and see you soon!
Elaine Dove
Founder