Alanna Morris-Van Tassel Productions (AMVTP)

Mission

The mission of Alanna Morris-Van Tassel Productions is to produce solo dance works and global commissions that uplift and inspire our humanity; to produce educational programs that utilize the creative arts as a tool for self- development; and to spearhead community building initiatives that assist underdeveloped populations with resources to thrive.

Values :

• Excellence—I produce and present solo performance, educational and community building programs with the highest intellectual, artistic and technical standards and aesthetics
• Authenticity—I remain deeply committed to the work of extracting, un-packing, honouring, re-claiming and sharing my story, my family’s stories and the stories of my ancestors. 
• Discipline— I will continue to take the steps necessary that protect my appetite for growth and challengeand lay a foundation for a sustainable career in the arts
• Generosity—In the words of Pastor Jeff Cowmeadow, I believe that we all have something to give and we all have something to receive
• Exploration—I am committed to the exercise of vigorous and rigorous creative process and performance practice
• Humility—I work in the spirit of Ubuntu (I am because we are). I believe that we are part of something much greater than ourselves
• Love---I practice radical self-love as the generative practice in relationship with community
• Gratitude—I accept my value in the world and my responsibility to make a difference

Vision

Performance

AMVTP collaborates with emerging leaders in the dance world  who have created methodologies, philosophies and mechanisms to produce work that uplifts and inspires our humanity. 

In its third season, 2019/2020, AMVTP will expand its body of solo work, increasing solo commissions by local and international artists engaged in vigorous physical practice and delivering unapologetic work that explores arresting, socially relevant concepts/themes.  Alanna will also expand into choreographic commissions locally.  

Research and Travel

AMVTP will increase travel/study opportunities and its strengthen global partnerships. Areas of interest:

• Carnival studies and the art of masquerade performance as it expresses itself in the Eastern Caribbean nations, namely Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, West Indies.
• Vodoun and Egungun masquerade found in Ghana and Benin
• African cultural retention and the archive of Ifa/Orisa in Trinidad

Education

In its third season, 2019/2020, AMVTP will expand its impact in arts education, utilizing the arts as a tool for self-development in peoples of all ages, including a mentoring/coaching program for pre-professional female dancers of colour and developing national and global exchanges with organizational partner, Art On Purpose (Trinidad and Tobago).

Community

In its third season, 2019/2020, AMVTP will refine and expand its community-building initiatives, providing under-served populations with resources to thrive. A retreat-residency program for mid-career woman Creatives will launch in 2021 with organizational partner, The Shire in The Woods. Community partners of interest:

• Mid-career women Creatives
• Youth