early era collective

A Collaborative Dance Company

in Austin, Texas

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  • Embolden Workshop 2025

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    Join Early Era Collective this summer for Embolden Workshop, happening June 20-21, 2025 at the Dougherty Arts Center!

    Through Embolden, we strive to help Central Texas performance artists gain the business skills we were never taught, prevent burnout, and build community.

    Originally developed in 2021 by Early Era Collective, Salvage Vanguard Theater, and Ground Floor Theatre, our 2025 rendition is a weekend full of professional development, performance, and networking.

    This project is supported, in part, by the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the Artist Access Program, and the Dougherty Arts Center.

    Events include:

    * Matching Talent with Business: a panel and Q&A with some of Austin’s most prestigious artists and arts professionals.

    * Thoughts That Move: a live episode recording of six Austin-based artists discussing how race and art intersect in our city.

    * Embolden Showcase: An open-mic style professional showcase for performers to receive stage time, and professional videography/photography.

    * Tuning Your Instrument: A mindful movement class for artists who run their own businesses.

    * Networking opportunities, snacks, and drinks!

    Attend one event or all! Ticket price options are provided on a pay-what-you-wish scale.

    Flyer design by Greg Burton.

  • All Styles Freestyle Sessions

    Our next All Styles Freestyle Session is Friday, May 30th! Join us 7-10pm at Evenground Dance Studio.

    Led by David Cha, Stephanie Patrick, and Jairus Carr, our sessions are low ego, high energy, and open to all styles and levels. Lashay Martin will kick things off with a Grooves class for all levels!

    Grooves Class - 7-8:15pm, $16

    All Styles Freestyle Session - 8:15-10pm, donation-based (appreciated but not required)

    at Evenground Dance Studio

    8000 Anderson Square #104

    Austin, TX 78757

    Unlock the rhythm within and elevate your movement in this high-energy Grooves class by Lashay! Designed for dancers of all levels, this class focuses on building musicality, control, and confidence through deep, funky grooves and precise body isolations. You'll learn how to connect with the beat, move with intention, and bring dynamic texture to your freestyle or choreography. Whether you're looking to sharpen your foundation or just want to vibe out and sweat, this is the space to explore, grow, and have fun.

    Class and the session are open to all styles, training backgrounds, and levels. Sneakers encouraged for class. Ages 17+.

    Registration

    Register at the door or in advance! For advanced registration, please send payment through:

    Zelle: to stephanie@earlyeracollective.org

    Venmo: @earlyeracollective (as a nonprofit, we are listed as a "charity" account)

    As a note on the payment, please specify your first and last name, and if you're attending the class, freestyle session or both.

  • lately

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    A Week of Dance at ACC

    Thank you to Austin Community College for the opportunity to perform at the 8th Annual Faculty & Guest Concert!

    It was a pleasure to perform our "Say That Again" dance/spoken word collaborations "A Piece of My New Love" by Nala Washington and "Ghetto in a Coke Can" by Christopher Michael Brown. These three shows supported ACC dance student scholarships.

    We also had a great time grooving with the community at our ACC Freestyle Masterclass led by David Cha, Stephanie Patrick, and Jairus Carr.

  • Thank you for attending "Say That Again!"

    Austin, you showed up and showed out! We’re still buzzing with joy and gratitude from the incredible energy that you brought to our five performances of "Say That Again." We can’t thank you enough for sharing this unforgettable run with us. This exchange of passion, creativity, and connection between the stage and the audience is why we do what we do. Let’s keep celebrating, connecting, moving, and inspiring!

  • Praise for "Say That Again"

    “Thank you, Early Era Collective, for reminding me why artistic expression is critical for society to heal and thrive. This show was everything. I whooped and hollered. I cried. I laughed. I sat in stillness as I soaked up everything this show had to say.”

    -Jennifer Williams

    “Art is a refuge from the chaos and a reminder of beauty, truth, and hope. Something we all need now and this show was exactly that.”

    -Purna Bajekal

    “I absolutely loved the show!! It really was so powerful and beautiful. Thank you for creating a space for Black artists to be free to express and share their art and voice.”

    -Cellise Brown

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  • Rising from the roots - 2024

    Thank you for two incredible productions!

    Austin Cast

    Austin Cast

    Oklahoma City Cast

    Oklahoma City Cast

  • Our Gratitude

    We are grateful for the 13 performances, eight dance companies, and five filmed/live interviews across two states!

    Early Era Collective's "Rising from the Roots" celebrates U.S. immigrants through filmed interviews and live dance. This production features interviewees and artists who have immigrated from Lebanon, Palestine, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and more. Co-Produced by Chakra Media Company, interviews feature activists, educators, spiritual leaders, and artists working for change in their communities. Live performances from local dance companies celebrate the traditions and cultures that exist in each hosting city.

    Austin, TX

    "Rising from the Roots" premiered in Austin, Texas, September 13-15, 2024, at the George Washington Carver Museum.These featured companies celebrated Austin's local dance community through Flamenco, Bharata Natyam, Afro-Latin fusion, Contemporary, and Filipino Folk Dance:

    A'lante Flamenco

    Austin Dance India

    Oro Dance Company

    Alexa Capareda + Lisa del Rosario

    This production was co-produced by Chakra Media Company and supported, in part, by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Artist Access Program. Lighting design by Patrick Anthony. Sound Engineering by Casey Lee. Photography/Videography by Earl McGehee.

    Oklahoma City, OK

    On September 28-29, 2024, at the First Americans Museum's Five Moons Theater, "Rising from the Roots" ran in Oklahoma City and was part of the Cultural Week of Action 2024, hosted by Americans for the Arts and Race Forward. We were honored to be included in this national event exploring themes of race and democracy. Head to Race Forward to check out the other amazing projects featured at this event! These featured companies celebrated Oklahoma City's local dance community through Mexican Folkloric Dance, Contemporary, Lebanese Folk Dance, Flamenco, and Modern:

    Yúmare Mexican Folkloric Dancers

    Natasha Abu-Fadel

    Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast

    Capitol Hill High School

    RACE Dance Collective

    This production was supported, in part, by Americans for the Arts and Race Forward. Lighting design by Patrick Anthony. Sound Engineering by Court Myers. Stage Management by Kristie Cheng. Photography/Videography by Jake Kelley.

  • Celebrating U.S. Immigrants

    Interested in partnering with Early Era Collective to bring any of our productions to your city? Reach out to us through the contact form below!

    "Rising from the Roots" Trailer by Chakra Media Company.

  • "Rising" Gallery

    Photos by Earl McGehee, Easton Oliver, Qazi Islam, and Jake Kelley.

    Interviewee Alexa Capareda. Photo by Easton Oliver.
    Oro Dance Company. Picture by Earl McGehee.
    Choreography by Natasha Abu-Fadel. Picture by Jake Kelley.
    Interviewee Dr. Imad Enchassi. Picture by Qazi Islam.
    Austin Dance India. Picture by Earl McGehee.
    Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers. Picture by Jake Kelley.

  • Donate to Early Era Collective

    We are ready for more dance, collaboration, and connection in 2025, but we can't do it without your help!

    We strive to maintain equitable hourly wages for artists, while providing pay-what-you-wish tickets for our audiences to keep performance art accessible to all Austinites. We also provide community programs that offer donation-based training for dancers and professional development for performance artists.

    If you love what we do, please consider supporting us with a donation today!

  • Media

    Our latest features in local news, reviews, radio, and more.

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    Austin Chronicle review

    Journalist, Cy White, from The Austin Chronicle reviews our multimedia production, "Rising From the Roots." This show premiered in Austin on Sept. 13, 2024 at the George Washington Carver Museum. White discusses the nuances and similarities of the American journey between the four interviewees and four live performing companies featured in the show.

  • Early era collective

    A Bit About Us...

    Early Era Collective’s mission is to present multiform art featuring diverse perspectives for diverse audiences. We believe that professional creative work is strongest when collaboratively made by individuals with a variety of training, artistic processes, expertise, lived experience, and world views. Early Era is a nonprofit dance company comprised of dancers from contemporary, hip-hop, tap, and ballet backgrounds. We also collaborate with filmmakers, spoken word artists, actors, and singers. Many of our productions carry a social justice message folded into their artistry, emphasizing personal stories over politics.

    Our company creates:

    • Live shows for Austin audiences.
    • Dance films featured at festivals worldwide.
    • Thoughts That Move - community artist interviews discussing the intersection of race and arts industries in Austin.
    • Embolden Workshop Series - donation-based artist development workshops created in partnership with Salvage Vanguard Theater and Ground Floor Theatre.

    Awards and honors include:

    • "Rising from the Roots" selected as 1 of 14 anchor projects for the 2024 national event Cultural Week of Action, hosted by Americans for the Arts and Race Forward.
    • Live piece “Gimme Your Hands” featured at Austin Dance Festival 2024.
    • Recipient of the City of Austin Economic Development Department’s 2024 Thrive award and 2023 Elevate award.
    • Recipient of the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreational Department’s 2024 and 2023 Artist Access Program.
    • Dance film "Milez" featured in eleven 2022-2023 film festivals nationwide, including Dance on Camera Festival (New York City) and Dance Camera West (Los Angeles). Received the Virtuosic Editing Award at Capitol D.C. Fest (Washington D.C.) and Local Favorite Award at Austin Dance Festival in 2022.
    • Artistic Director Stephanie Patrick was a 2019 nominee for the Austin Chronicle's Best Choreographer/Dancer.
    • Dance film "They Go Wild" was featured in three national/international film festivals in 2019.

    Early Era was founded in fall 2018, and became a 501(c)3 organization in March 2019. Concepts and Artistic Direction are by Stephanie Patrick, the Founder of Early Era. Previously, the company was called Stephanie Patrick Dance (founded in 2012) of San Francisco, Asheville, and Austin. Stephanie brings a lifelong career in performance, a passion for social justice, and her love for Austin (her hometown) to the company. Early Era is organized as a nonprofit organization to best support its collaborating artists.

     

  • leadership

    Early Era is a small but mighty organization founded by Artistic Director Stephanie Patrick. Our Board Members fundraise, contribute specialized services, and provide valuable expertise for our company. Thanks to the City of Austin, we added a Marketing Coordinator to our team in 2023. Click each picture to learn more about the people who make Early Era happen.

    Stephanie Patrick, Director

    Stephanie Patrick, Director

    Lisa del Rosario, Board Member

    Lisa del Rosario, Board Member

    Krista Robinson, Board Member

    Krista Robinson, Board Member

    Earl McGehee, Board Member

    Earl McGehee, Board Member

  • Black lives matter

    Black Lives Matter

    In light of the murders of George Floyd, Mike Ramos, and so many other Black and African Americans lost to police brutality, our company acknowledges and joins the fight for justice for our Black brothers and sisters.

    In a country that claims to be one nation and touts justice for all, this tradition of violence is simply unacceptable. The roots of racism must be examined and swiftly removed. Our art form, local community, and company would not be what they are without the innovations and talents of Black dancers, musicians, and spoken word artists.

    In one of the most segregated cities, we recognize the disparities young Black dancers face in accessing training and factors hindering Black professionals from producing work. As part of this community, we advocate for change and welcome feedback from Austin’s artists and citizens of color.

    Black lives matter. We see you, we stand with you, and we are in this ongoing and important fight for justice.

  • Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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  • Films

    Peep some of our film creations.

  • Milez

    Featuring Austin-based hip-hop duo Magna Carda, eight Early Era dancers inspect the systems by which we abide and the sameness required of average people to operate within those systems. Our artists must decide whether to stay within the boxes that confine them or break free.
    Produced by: Early Era Collective and Stephanie Patrick. Co-directed by: Stephanie Patrick and Ben Lee. Co-Choreographed by: Daniel Broxton and Stephanie Patrick. Director of Photography and Editor: Ben Lee. Poster design by: Ketan Patel. Featuring Magna Carda and their original song "Milez."


    Danced by: Daniel Broxton, Lauren Parra Faudree, Mia Moi, Michelle Barfield, Jairus Carr, Jaylin Lane, Ciceley Fullylove, and Stephanie Patrick.

    "Milez" was featured at the following 2022-23 film festivals: Dance on Camera Festival (New York City, NY), Dance Camera West (Los Angeles, CA), San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Capitol Dance & Cinema Festival (Washington D.C.), Austin Dance Festival, deadCenter Film Festival (Oklahoma City, OK), Hyperreal Film Club (Austin, TX), The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, Film Fest Petaluma, AV Fest (Healdsburg, CA), The Front Fest (Austin, TX).

  • Shows

    Glimpse some of our recent live works.

  • Gimme your hands

    This original Early Era live piece explores the significance of community support in grieving and processing the current social and political climate. Our contemporary trio premiered at Early Era's April 2023 production “Whirligig,” and was performed at Austin Dance Festival 2024.

    Choreographed by Stephanie Patrick

    Danced by Mia Moi, Kanami Nakabayashi Timpe, Amanda Anstey, and Lilly Thurman for ADF 2024 performance (not filmed)

    Music arranged by Matthew Jackson

    We hope you enjoy!

  • Thoughts That Move

    Created by Daniel Broxton, Lauren Parra Faudree, and Stephanie Patrick during the pandemic, Thoughts That Move is an artist discussion series that reveals how the arts and race intersect in Austin. Over 50 artists have been featured across three seasons of interviews. View our Season Three episodes below.

    Episode flyers designed by Ketan Patel. Theme music by Magna Carda.

  • Creativity & Social Justice

    Featured guests engage in a poignant talk about artists’ roles in social justice-themed art and challenge the expectation for Black and African American artists to explore racism in their work.

    Host: Stephanie Patrick

    Featured Guests: Alyssa Dillard, Amber Wilson, Andre Bradford and Chinwe Okorie

    Edited by: Daniel Broxton and Chinwe Okorie

  • Photos

    Films + Shows

  • Contact

    We'd love to hear from you! Please reach out for booking inquiries, questions about Early Era Collective, or if you'd like to receive updates about our events.

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