EXIT 12 DANCE COMPANY INC
Cause Area
- Advocacy & Human Rights
- Arts & Culture
- Board Development
- Community
Location
444 MANHATTAN AVE APT 5MApt 4JNEW YORK, NY 10026 United StatesWebsite:
http://www.exit12danceco.org
Organization Information
Mission Statement
Exit12 is a contemporary dance company committed to creating and performing works of high cultural significance that inspire conversations about world differences and the lasting effects of violence and conflict on communities, families, and individuals. Through movement workshops, performances, and presentations, Exit12 heals the veteran and military-connected community, educates civilians, and advocates for veterans issues. Co-founded by US Marine Iraq War Veteran and his professional ballerina wife, Exit12 Dance Company began as a way for its founders to process their personal military experience through choreography. Today, Exit12 investigates the military experience by exploring the service member, the family, the perceived enemy, shared humanity, homecomings, and trauma.
Description
Exit12 began as a way for Artistic Director Roman Baca to explore his military service through choreography. Dance became a safe, non-literal medium for Roman to process his deployment to Iraq, and the choreographic process offered healing. As he created critically acclaimed works based on his experiences, he recognized that fellow veterans also needed space to reflect and heal. He also saw that military experiences are deeply diverse, reflecting the broad range of people who serve. In response, Exit12 began working with veterans and military families to foster healing and share untold stories through the arts.
Exit12’s model is simple but impactful: bring together people affected by war-often veterans or military family members-and lead them through writing and movement workshops. From these workshops, the group co-creates a performance that reflects key themes they want to share-whether about service, homecoming, reintegration, or future hopes. The group then performs the work publicly. After each performance, Exit12 hosts a dialogue between performers and the audience, deepening understanding of military life and the healing power of art.
