IdeasCityWS panel discussion: "From the Ground Up" and workforce development
In October 2019, Wake Forest University housekeeping staff, arborists, turf crew members, locksmiths and carpenters were among nearly 70 staff members who participated in “From the Ground Up,” an original dance performance held on Hearn Plaza. Directed by Allison Orr (’93) of Forklift Danceworks in Austin, the production elevated the dedicated people whose skillful work often goes unseen. 
To commemorate the anniversary of this groundbreaking event, IdeasCityWS will host a “Beta Bonfire” panel discussion on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m., looking back at the production through the lens of workforce development. Christina Soriano, associate provost for the arts and interdisciplinary initiatives associate professor, will moderate the virtual conversation.
Presenters include:
- Allison Orr, Founder and artistic director of Forklift Danceworks in Austin, Texas;
- John Shenette, Vice president of Facilities and Campus Services at Wake Forest University;
- Stephanie Poskin, Senior director of Wake Forest Facilities Support Services & Operations;
- Kobak Taylor, “From the Ground Up” performer and Wake Forest Facilities and Campus Services locksmith;
- Cynthia Wilson, “From the Ground Up” performer and Wake Forest custodial department team lead; and
- Matt Crawford, Senior theatre major from Austin, TX, and a student leader on the “From the Ground Up” project.
A documentary that captures the spirit of the performances is available for viewing as background for the discussion.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available here.
Categories: Events, Faculty News, Staff News
Artists partnering with Facilities/Campus Services on large-scale performance
Dance company choreographer Krissie Marty, center, talks with landscapers Andrew Norton, left, and Chris Boston.
Wake Forest and Forklift Danceworks are co-creating “From the Ground Up” – a dance featuring the movement and stories of custodial, maintenance and utilities, landscaping, construction, and waste reduction employees.
Through a series of residencies, Forklift artists are partnering with Wake Forest Facilities and Campus Services staff on a large-scale performance to take place on Hearn Plaza on Oct. 4 and 5.
Wake Forest’s Interdisciplinary Performance and Liberal Arts Center (IPLACe) has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New England Foundation for the Arts to help fund the interdisciplinary collaboration with Forklift Danceworks – a dance company based in Austin, Texas, that activates communities through a collaborative creative process.
More information is available here.
Categories: Events, Inside WFU, Staff News
NEA, NEFA grants help bring Forklift Danceworks to WFU
The Forklift Danceworks company, led by Wake Forest alumna Allison Orr (’93), follows landscaping staff on their morning duties.
Wake Forest’s Interdisciplinary Performance and Liberal Arts Center (IPLACe) has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New England Foundation for the Arts to help fund an interdisciplinary collaboration with Forklift Danceworks – an organization based in Austin, Texas, that uses creative collaboration to spark conversation and inspire change.
Through a multi-visit residency on the Reynolda Campus, IPLACe has worked to connect Forklift with staff, students and faculty for a community-based art making project celebrating the work of the University’s facilities and campus services team.
Throughout the spring of 2019 and into fall, Forklift choreographers and Wake Forest students, under the direction of Wake Forest humanities professor David Phillips and journalism professor Ivan Weiss, will be job shadowing Facilities and Campus Services staff to learn more about the work they do and their contributions to campus life. In the fall of 2019, another course, taught by professors Christina Soriano (dance), and Cindy Gendrich (theatre) will continue this work.
As part of these professors’ courses, students will learn more about those Wake Foresters who often work behind-the-scenes caring for the health, well-being, and safety of our campus community. The students will produce a website and multimedia to document their experiences, and many will act as support staff for the performance.
In October 2019, Wake Forest members of the facilities and campus services team will work with faculty and students in theatre, dance, and music to create a large-scale performance highlighting the skill and grace involved in the work of groundskeeping, construction, maintenance, custodial work, and landscaping. The performance will be held on Hearn Plaza.
Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Allison Orr (‘93), award-winning Forklift Danceworks presents innovative performance projects with diverse communities. Wake Forest is the second of three universities who are collaborating with Forklift Danceworks.
Categories: Inside WFU
