Forklift Danceworks

The Way of Water examines the complex histories, challenges, and possible futures surrounding water as a shared natural resource. Engaging frontline civic workers, local artists, and neighborhood residents in a practice of community-based dance making, the project seeks to elevate interconnectedness and foster collaboration. Beginning with a performance featuring Austin Watershed Protection employees and community residents confronting flooding issues, the initial development of The Way of Water will form a performance model to be toured to other communities, modified to reflect the particular challenges, opportunities, and culture of each cast of collaborators. Connecting communities across Austin, Miami, El Paso, and beyond, The Way of Water amplifies community narratives, facilitates shared understanding of local issues, and builds greater capacity for collaboration between residents and civic workers.

Land acknowledgement: Forklift Danceworks is based in the unceded land of the Tonkawa, Coahuiltecan, Lipan Apache, Jumanos, and Sana peoples.
Estimated artist fee: $90,000 - $150,000/creation process and performance(s), depending on scale