Movement Heritage Project (MHP)

Mission

Founded by Joyce Laoagan in 2023, its mission is to create a welcoming and dynamic dance space for artists aged 35 and above, blending indigenous, ethnic, folk, contemporary, functional, experimental, street dance, and movement styles through culturally respectful collaboration, embodied storytelling, and creative expression.

Vision

To build a vibrant intergenerational dance community where mature dancers are celebrated as powerful artists, and where movement becomes a bridge between heritage, innovation, and shared human experience.

Statement

This troupe is dedicated to honoring the wisdom, artistry, and physical expression of dancers 35 and above. Through a fusion of indigenous, ethnic, folk, contemporary, functional, experimental, street dance, and movement forms, we create performance work that reflects identity, resilience, community, and cultural connection. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment where dancers can move boldly, tell meaningful stories, and explore the evolving possibilities of dance.

Our Story

Joyce grew up dancing, but her artistic path soon expanded to include singing, music, oratory, directing, producing, and acting. As she moved into older adulthood, she found herself longing for her first love, dance, and returned to it with renewed purpose.

After relocating to New York City in the 2000s, Joyce met many talented, well-rounded dancers and built friendships and professional connections with them. During the pandemic, she reconnected with many of these artists and found that they, too, shared a longing to return to performing and creating within dance troupes and theater spaces but are not given opportunities because of their age. Drawing from her background as an Igorot dancer, her learnings in Filipino martial arts, and her studies in contact improvisation, West African and Native American traditions, as well as street and contemporary styles, she envisioned a new kind of collective.

This troupe brings together dancers from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, share, and co-create. Rooted in the unique experiences of its members and inspired by the wider community of artists around them, it is a movement practice that honors heritage, celebrates maturity, and embraces new creative possibilities.

Artistic direction

• Use indigenous, folk, ethnic, and grounded movement principles as the foundation for rhythm, grounding, storytelling, and relationship to music.

• Add contemporary technique for lines, weight shifts, floor work, and transitions.

• Bring in street dance for groove, attitude, musicality, and ensemble energy.

• Build pieces around themes like ancestry, identity, migration, resilience, joy, and community memory.

Membership and Collaboration Guidelines

Our dance group welcomes dancers ages 35 and above who are passionate about movement, collaboration, and creative expression. We bring together artists from diverse backgrounds and dance experiences, including indigenous, contemporary, street, and fusion-based practices.

Membership and Collaborator expectations

• Members and collaborators should have an interest in ensemble work, artistic growth, and collaborative creation.

• Dancers are expected to attend rehearsals regularly and arrive on time.

• Respect for all cultures, bodies, voices, and movement traditions is essential.

• Members should be open to learning, sharing, and contributing creatively to the group.

• Because this troupe is built on artistic exchange, professionalism and mutual support are highly valued.

What we value

• Commitment to the collective process.

• Openness to experimentation and cross-cultural movement dialogue.

• Respectful communication and accountability.

• A willingness to grow both technically and artistically.

Accessibility and inclusion

We aim to create a supportive environment for mature dancers of varying experience levels. Reasonable accommodations may be considered whenever possible to support participation and inclusion.

Audition Guidelines

Our auditions are designed to help us get to know each dancer’s movement background, artistic presence, and collaborative spirit. We welcome dancers with a wide range of experience who are excited to explore indigenous, folk, ethnic, contemporary, functional, improv, experimental, and street dance forms in a group setting.

What to expect

• A warm-up and guided movement class.

• Learning a short phrase that may include elements of groove, rhythm, floor work, improvisation, and ensemble movement.

• A brief opportunity for improvisation or personal expression.

• Time for introductions and conversation.

What to wear

• Comfortable clothing that allows free movement.

• Dance shoes or bare feet, depending on the style and studio surface.

• Bring water and anything needed for your personal comfort.

We are looking for

• Strong movement presence and musicality.

• Openness to direction and ensemble collaboration.

• Interest in cultural storytelling and creative fusion.

• Reliability, respect, and readiness to contribute to a shared artistic vision.

After the audition

Selected dancers will be contacted with next steps regarding rehearsal schedules, membership details, and performance opportunities.

Interested? please email theallyartistsgroup@gmail.com with the Subject: MHP (Ausdition) with your headshot, 3 dance videos, resume, and cover letter. Thank you!

MEMBERS AND COLLABORATORS