THE NEXT STAGE PROJECT was developed as an innovative collaboration between emerging dancers and prominent choreographers who would otherwise not connect or have the opportunity to work together.

The project was conceptualized through the observation that dancers reach a certain point in their dancing/performance life, they need an extra or new impulse/push to reach to a new/different level in their development as a dancer. Looking at it that way, it pushes the choreographer to a Next Stage too, to look for new openings and with a total focus on the dancer as a learning, and growing artist. Due to the uncertain financial stability of artists: dancers and choreographers alike are at a hardship to find open and unrestrictive creative opportunities. This uncertainty hinders the development and creation of new work as well as the personal development of dancers. The Next Stage Project is trying to open new ways of working and with that:

Seeking national and international venues for performance of these works to create an open exchange across the globe. By opening streams of creative Projects all around the globe it will connect dancers and choreographers with the same passion: DANCE.

The first two Projects in 2002 and 2003 were an intense and succesful working process with the Choreographers Kevin Wynn and Jana Hicks. This resulted in 3 pieces: The Hasegawa Quartet; Choreography by Kevin Wynn, Taffeta Dresses and Combat Boots & Soleilhuja; Choreography by Jana Hicks.

Since then, the Next Stage Project has continued to grow and created numerous perfomance opportunities in New York, Amsterdam, The Hague, Vannes (France), Pune (India), Hannover (Germany), Maui, New Hampshire, New Jersey among others. And more is to come!