Invertigo Dance Theatre

Invertigo believes in finding joy, self-actualization and community connection through movement. Invertigo approaches each program and project through the LA community in which it is serving by understanding that a single community is not a monolith, but rather contains complexity and diversity within it.

Invertigo’s Statement of Equity & Inclusion — Invertigo Dance Theatre strives to create a community where all people enjoy the many benefits of dance and storytelling. We believe that this is only possible through the creation of programs, audience experiences, and work environments that are diverse, equitable, and anti-racist.

We recognize and understand that a history of disparities, bias, and injustice has created a societal landscape of inequality and exclusion. We seek to address these issues directly with an intersectional understanding of, and strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity – both internally and throughout our community.

Invertigo continues to work towards reflecting our passion for creating community and connections by sharing important stories through the many faces, cultures, and walks of life that proudly make up our world.

A true community is one in which all people, of every gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, or ability, must feel welcomed, valued, and respected.

We encourage our staff, board members, volunteers, contractors, and partners to embrace the following principles intended to promote diversity and equity:
- Mutual Respect: We value and respect those persons, ideas, and experiences that are different from our own.

- Transparency: We have a responsibility to ourselves and our community to work towards mission and goals with honesty and transparency.

- Collaboration: We believe in creating space that welcomes and elevates a wide array of voices and talents.

- Accessibility: We believe that dance is for everyone: everybody and every body. We strive to make our programming available and accessible in a variety of ways.

- Creativity & Knowledge: Everyone has a story to tell, and we learn more about ourselves by listening to and learning from others. This cultivates and fosters creativity and helps Invertigo create works that reflect the ever-changing world around us and the new stories that are being shared every day.

- Intersectionality: We recognize that everyone carries multiple identities, and that there is a history and present reality of structural oppression and privilege within each person’s lived experience.

- Accountability: We strive to create mechanisms for constant evaluation and feedback, and an open atmosphere of communication that values impact over intention.

Invertigo Dance Theatre creates powerful and visceral dance experiences that connect with audiences throughout the country. We collaborate with a wide variety of choreographers, theatre companies, musical ensembles, social service agencies, education programs, and designers to create accessible, thought provoking cultural experiences. Our engagement programming promotes physical and artistic empowerment, while simultaneously making dance accessible for underserved communities, low-income students, and those living with Parkinson’s disease.

At Invertigo, we are continually committed to creating a community where people of all backgrounds can enjoy dance and storytelling. We believe that this is only possible through the creation of enriching environments that are diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

Invertigo’s collaborators, dancers, teaching artists, and staff cultivate public programs that celebrate dance as a transformational mode of storytelling and community-building. From full-length productions to community workshops, Invertigo has consistently utilized dance theatre as a catalyst for public engagement with and between a wide range of communities. Core programs include:

1) Dancing through Parkinson’s (DTP): Provides dance classes to persons living with Parkinson's Disease and other neurodegenerative, mobility, and aging-related conditions. DTP connects storytelling through dance with physical health, mental health, and joyful community connection. Classes, which are free for attendees, focus on movement that restores/promotes balance, flexibility, and empowerment. Since Jan. 2019, DTP has provided weekly classes (virtually during COVID), launched an online classroom to expand access, started a Spanish/English class, piloted a storytelling series and created a dance film with participants. As of January 2023, Invertigo maintains three weekly classes: The Electric Lodge (Venice), LA Start Dance Studio (Tarzana), and Casa 0101 Theatre (Boyle Heights).

2) Professional Dance Theatre: Invertigo is known for its highly athletic and playful main stage productions. In September 2019, Invertigo’s FORMULAE AND FAIRY TALES premiered at the Broad Stage. The 2020-2021 tour was postponed/canceled, but the company is excited to remount this work in North Carolina in Spring 2023.

3) Walk The Walk (WtW): Creates a brave, imaginative space for trans, gender non conforming, nonbinary, and intersex folks to collaborate. A series of panels, community workshops, performances, and printed zines, WtW launched in 2021 with funding from the City of Weho and will continue to evolve with support from CA Arts Council.

4) SOL: A multidisciplinary storytelling initiative that illuminates local environmental justice issues in a free in-person community gathering, art share, and discussion.

5) Invert/ED: after-school dance workshops for underserved youth in South LA and Culver City

Invertigo has directly engaged tens of thousands of people through programming, and has been seen or heard by millions through TV and online broadcasts, as well as national radio features. The performance programming has won multiple awards, including the 2016 Grand Prize Winner at the McCallum Theater Choreography Festival and the 2018 National Dance Project Production Grant.