Dancing From a Place of Complete Openness


The Company

Mission


To mirror the experiences we live through today, MDP’s mission is to empower people of all backgrounds, especially those who have been historically marginalized, through arts programming and accessible events that highlight authentic stories and strengthen community relationships and support systems. It is important to us that we foster connection and healing by diving head-first into works that are sensitive and conscious of the inequities and trauma built into our society.

Vision


By cultivating a diverse and secure environment for artists of all backgrounds, and innovating opportunities for all people to be mirrored and engaged through the arts, MDP successfully creates valuable discourse and collaboration between influential community groups. The artists and staff members of MDP are charged as community leaders that lead in social education and influence through performances and personal exchanges. Over the span of a few years, the company brings its programming and educating platform across national and international lines.

Values


Authenticity

Integrity

Equity

Community

Fun


Artistic Leadership

Founder and Executive AD Derick McKoy, Jr. Photo by Mariah Gravelin

Derick McKoy, Jr. (He/him), Founder and Executive Artistic Director

Derick McKoy, Jr. (Miami, Florida) is a graduate Glorya Kaufman scholar of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. Currently, a dancer with Dallas Black Dance Theatre under the direction of Melissa M. Young, Derick has performed with Nimbus Dance, Jeremy McQueen’s Emmy-award-winning The Black Iris Project, and on the hit tv show POSE on FX. On stage, Derick has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Matthew Rushing, Crystal Pite, Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Dawn Marie Bazemore, Sharon Eyal, Alejandro Cerrudo, Marco Goecke, Adam Barruch, and many others.

Derick started his official training under Luctricia Welters and after a year, joined her dance company, Jubilee Dance Theater. He furthered his training at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Arts Umbrella, BalletX, Ballet Hispanico, Springboard Danse Montreal, under scholarships, as well as NW Dance Project’s LAUNCH… continued here


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Header Video: Short Excerpt of Tremble by Derick McKoy Jr.

Slide 1: Tevin Johnson in Glimmer in the Dusk by Derick McKoy, Jr. Photo by Michelle Mor. Slide 2: Richard Sayama and Sumire Ishige in reborn by Christian A. Warner. Photo by Michelle Mor. Slide 3: Tyler Choquette and Maya Addie in Glimmer in the Dusk by Derick McKoy, Jr. Photo by Michelle Mor. Slide 4: Tevin Johnson and Khalid Dunton in reborn by Christian A. Warner. Slide 5: Shaina McGregor. Photo by Mariah Gravelin. Slide 6: MDP Dancers Mika Greene and Shaina McGregor. Photo by Mariah Gravelin. Slide 7: MDP Dancers Shaina McGregor, Christopher Taylor and Mika Greene. Photo by Mariah Gravelin. Slide 8: Khalid Dunton, Richard Sayama and Tevin Johnson in rehearsal for Glimmer in the Dusk by Derick McKoy, Jr. Slide 9: Derick McKoy, Jr. teaching a dance workshop for Glimmer in the Dusk. Photo by Reché Nelson. Photo of Executive Artistic Director Derick McKoy, Jr. Photo by Mariah Gravelin.