The Artist
What you’ll want to know…
The Artist
Karen L. Charles
Artistic/Executive Director
A dedicated performer, teacher and creator, Karen Long Charles received a BFA Ballet/BS Computer Science from Texas Christian University and M.Ed. in Administration from Georgia State University. Charles has performed with numerous dance companies including Room to Move Dance Company (Atlanta, GA), Susan Warden Dance Company (Kansas City, MO) and was awarded a fellowship to study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Charles served as Director at Perpich Arts High School and she was the founding Principal/Executive Director at Main Street School of Performing Arts. Charles has created/presented works for James Sewell Ballet, Carleton College, Macalester College, Main Street School of Performing Arts and Perpich Arts High School.
Threads Dance Project was founded by Karen L. Charles when her beloved father passed away leaving her just enough money to produce her first show in 2011 and realize her dream of becoming a choreographer and director of her own company. Karen and her Threads Dance Project were nominated for a SAGE Dance Award for Outstanding Performance in 2015.
In addition to seasonal performances in the Twin Cities, Threads has successfully toured work to Atlanta, GA. In February 2017, Threads toured “The Secrets of Slave Songs” to sold-out audiences.
Threads was also honored as one of six companies featured in American Dance Abroad’s (ADA): Pitchbook Volume II (Winter 2016) for In-Development Projects, for the Fall 2017 premiere piece “Uncertain Reality.” ADA’s publication is used as a representation of American dance around the world at festivals, performances and marketed to international programmers.
The Artistry
The mission of The Karen L. Charles Threads Dance Project is to examine, expose, and celebrate the threads that connect us.
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Vision
Threads seeks to be a national organization that betters humanity through dance, education, and outreach by:
- Creating dances that touch on themes of human connectedness
- Promoting dialogue, understanding, and acceptance of all individuals
- Celebrating the human spirit through dance performance, arts education, and community-building
Values
- Diversity
- Artistic Excellence
- Storytelling
- Accessibility
- Human Connection
Secrets of Slave Songs,
Nominated for the 2015 Sage Award for Outstanding Dance Performance
I know how difficult it is as a choreographer, especially for choreographers of color and women, to get opportunities to hone your craft. I have a great opportunity to support my fellow artist –connecting my audience and my company to new, diverse, and very talented voices.
-Karen L. Charles Artistic Director & Founder, Threads Dance Project
Photo Credits: Alice Gebura, Bill Cameron
The world is still not a perfect place, but it is better and can be better. I have created Threads Dance Project to move towards that better humanity.
-Karen L. Charles Artistic Director & Founder, Threads Dance Project
Snippets of work and repertoire by Threads Dance Project
Audiences Talking About Dance (ATAD)
Threads wants audiences to continue talking about dance after the curtain closes. Choreographers rarely get to hear what the audience is saying as they leave the theater.
Audiences Talking About Dance (ATAD) is an initiative designed to provide choreographers with constructive audience critique of their works which will enable them to grow via the responses and perceptions of the audience. ATAD is also designed to engage and empower the audience by soliciting their feedback. Look for ATAD opportunities at upcoming Threads Dance Project performances.
Tapestries Choreography Program
Threads Dance Project’s founder Karen L. Charles wanted to support the next generation of choreographers. As an African American woman, Karen sought to use the success of her own company and its connection to the performing arts community, to do whatever possible to support choreographers struggling as she once had.
Tapestries is an annual program that serves emerging choreographers who are in need of production and creative support to further their careers. The program boasts a key focus on women and artists of color—reserving the majority of its coveted program slots for artists representing these populations.
Tapestries choreography invitations to apply are sent in early fall, and applications are accepted from all over the nation and world. If you would like to be considered for the Tapestries program, please contact Company Manager Michala Martinez: mgr@threadsdance.org.
