Pictured: Dancers Melissa Rummel, Monessa Salley, Xiao-Xuan Yang Dancigers, and Rachel Lambright will all be teaching upcoming virtual courses. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

For Leymis Wilmott, March 16th will live in infamy. It was a Monday; Sarasota Contemporary Dance was set to continue rehearsals for their Evolving/Revolving production that included some past numbers along with some newer pieces by former company dancers-turned-choreographers. It was a show designed to celebrate some of the past and highlight the promise of the future. But these days, the future only promises uncertainty. “We had a great rehearsal the previous Friday,” says Wilmott, “but a lot happened over the weekend with the spread of the virus, and on Monday the 16th we said, ‘it’s time.’”

Like many decisions within the company, Wilmott reached out to the troupe for a consensus decision. “Everybody’s comfort level is different,” she says, “so I had to check in and see if everyone felt safe.” A strict cleaning protocol had already been implemented the week prior, but the company decided together that its studio would close for the duration of the recommended social distancing strategies. “By Wednesday, all of the schools had closed down,” she says, “so I’m glad we decided when we did.” Of course, the rightness of the decision does not imply it was easy for a company on the rise, but for Wilmott and her roster of gifted dancers, scheming for new ways to connect through movement has helped to keep their spirits up and their bodies primed.

“We went full force and embraced the new platform,” she says, “we’re now meeting digitally on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 to 12.” By March 30th, SCD had already launched virtual classes and, more importantly, had begun work on choreography for an upcoming national dance initiative called National Water Dance. The initiative began as a statewide collection of site-specific dances aimed at fostering greater awareness of water issues, but since its inception in 2011 it has grown into a national movement. This year, the annual dance has transitioned to the digital sphere and Wilmott’s crew has been tasked with contributing to the choreography. “I choreographed one of the gestures of the opening phrase and taught it to some of the SCD dancers and some New College students,” says Wilmott, “so the dance will be bookended by the synchronized phrases.” Where groups used to get together in public spaces to perform the dance, dancers will now participate from living rooms, driveways and parks while contributing to a massive nationwide livestream. “This is supposed to be the largest edition ever,” says Willmott, “because more people can join in from home.”

It’s just one way SCD has stayed busy and connected during these uncertain times, but Wilmott still looks forward to life on the other side. Though the company has been able to continue paying its dancers for meetings and rehearsals, virtual classes will be launched to help generate revenue and Wilmott hopes for a big day during Community Foundation of Sarasota’s 2020 Giving Challenge. Still, nothing beats the live experience. “It’s important to keep working and trying new things,” says Wilmott, “and I’m optimistic and hopeful for the future.”

Tune in to the SCD’s live stream tomorrow at 4 pm to participate or spectate.

Pictured: Dancers Melissa Rummel, Monessa Salley, Xiao-Xuan Yang Dancigers, and Rachel Lambright will all be teaching upcoming virtual courses. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

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