The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award Mentorship: Recognition and Support Along the Choreographic Journey

 
 

Receiving recognition and support at pivotal moments in her life and career, Shirley Mordine dedicated her life to dance. She was committed to returning these kindnesses.

A part of the living legacy of The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award is the opportunity for experienced leaders and practitioners with diverse backgrounds to provide in-kind mentoring support to awarded choreographers.

Mentors volunteer their time to contribute to Chicago’s dance ecosystem by supporting choreographers as a sounding board, subject matter expert, connector, outside eye, etc.

Awarded choreographers are encouraged but not required to engage with mentors.

Being a mentor

Mentors serve as a network of in-kind supporters during the calendar year following a choreographer receiving The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award.

Mentors agree to respond to interested awarded choreographers quickly and work directly with them to determine scope and duration of mentorship engagement. 

If you are interested in being a Mentor, please provide a bio, your areas of expertise, and preferred contact information to danceinfo@colum.edu,

 

  • The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award recommends a number of touchpoints as driven by the needs of the awarded choreographer over the course of the year. Touchpoints can include but are not required or limited to:

    • A kick-off conversation

    • A mid-point conversation

    • Attending the awarded choreographer’s performance

    • An end-of-project recap conversation.

    Mentors commit to serving for one year. Mentors who wish to continue to be part of the network of support for future awarded choreographers may do so for up to three consecutive years.

  • Note

    Mentors may or may not be contacted during their year of service. If a mentor is not contacted, it does not reflect negatively on the mentors’ experience, wisdom, skills, or value to the dance ecosystem. The intention of The Shirley Mordine Dance Maker Award is to provide access to additional in-kind support but not to require that the awarded choreographers follow a prescribed path.

    Panelists who participate in the selection process are allowed, but not required, to serve as mentors.