From head choreographer Mykala Micek:

“One of my favorite parts of working as a dance educator and contemporary choreographer is reaching dancers at a point in their lives and artistic journeys when they are beginning to find their own voices but might still be afraid to use them. Helping young people uncover, explore, and embody the stories that they find meaningful, and then build the confidence to authentically, vulnerably share them with others, is a perfect example of the absolutely life-changing, world-shaping power of dance. It is an honor to teach and guide artists as they tell stories, old and new, and bring alive universal truths in their own flesh and muscles and nerves and bones. I am beyond excited to watch and help shape this process as it unfolds in Out on a Limb's newest addition: Branches. 

Now, why a contemporary dance company, specifically? Because contemporary is a movement medium which utilizes both finely honed technique and grounded, accessible, pedestrian movement. It can be gritty, raw, and unfiltered, and that makes it a uniquely well-suited choice for conveying certain types of stories—the kinds of stories I believe young people are especially hungry to tell and which audiences are more open than ever to receiving. 

Branches grow from the trunk of the tree. They bend and stretch and reach to new places: sometimes twisted, gnarled, hidden places; sometimes bright, airy, bursting-with-new-life places. At its heart, Branches will provide a new platform, a new opportunity, for Out on a Limb dancers to grow as contemporary movement artists. It will be an exploration of the connection between storytellers and their medium, and will push dancers to refine their craft and create innovative ways to speak to their audiences.  

I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of this new endeavor. I cannot wait to see what these young people will do.”