MDP | Programs

MDP | PRESENTS

MDP | Presents: New Visions

• New Visions highlights innovative world premieres created for McKoy Dance Project. New Visions allows MDP to commission up to two emerging choreographers annually and have their works presented during the concert. New Visions furthers the company’s ability to amplify diverse voices through the arts while highlighting authentic and sensitive stories that reflect the people. As MDP continues strengthen its presence in Brooklyn and builds a repertory that is more accessible to our BIPOC and queer communities through the New Visions Concert, we hope that we will captivate an increasingly diverse audience wherein we see an abundance of people directly online, in the studios, and in the theaters with us.

MDP | Presents: Collective Voices

• Across two days, presents several new ballets next to the diverse and talented voices of today. The Collective Voices Dance Festival provides a platform for 5+ choreographers to showcase their work in New York City alongside MDP. Two of these choreographers are chosen by the community, named “People’s Choice”, and asked to present their works on both nights affording those choreographers increased visibility.

MDP | Presents: Choreographer’s Institute

• Choreographer’s Institute is an annual dance lab platform for two BIPOC choreographers to workshop, experiment, collaborate, and play in the studio with the talented and dynamic company artists of McKoy Dance Project || MDP. MDP provides Institute choreographers with everything they need from MDP dancers, studio space, mentorship, and a small live audience showing during a one-week residency. Following the showing, attendees are invited into a talkback where the choreographers will share insights and discoveries they uncovered during the residency. Audience feedback is highly encouraged to support selected Institute choreographers on their journeys of creation. 

MDP + YOU

MDP + YOU is a community outreach initiative whose programs foster interactive education and local partnerships in order to make dance increasingly accessible to those who may not have the means to experience it otherwise. MDP + YOU serves as a bridge between art and self-development for community members.

MDP + YOU | Black Dance Series

• Throughout the month of February (Black History Month), McKoy Dance Project celebrates and shares the rich history of Black traditions in dance. Providing FREE public classes centered around dance styles that are rooted in Black History through our Black Dance Series, MDP provides an overview of Black Dance and fosters discussion around the legacy and lineage from a few dance techniques practiced widely today. This program increases access to dance for the community while also educating on the influence of Black Dance.

MDP + YOU | Community Grooves

• Community Grooves is an expansion of MDP’s educational platform and furthers our mission to strengthen our community relationships. This public platform provides arts education residencies in schools (1-18 weeks), affordable monthly workshops, and corporate wellness led by McKoy Dance Project in a variety of movement styles and wellness modalities. Also offered through Community Groove is a moving and educational lecture-demonstration called Echoes of Freedom, designed for students to experience Black history through the power of dance, rhythm, and storytelling. Featuring excerpts from acclaimed MDP works “Hush” and “Love, Nina”, this interactive performance invites students to engage with the legacies of Black leaders, the sounds of jazz and the African drum, and the emotional and cultural strength embedded in movement.

MDP | Gives Back

Double the Impact. Fuel the Art and Empower the Community.

• Through MDP | Gives Back, McKoy Dance Project hosts benefit performances, community-centered events, and fundraising campaigns that uplift both the arts and critical community work. Each season, we dedicate 10–15% of funds raised from select campaigns to support nonprofit organizations that serve marginalized and underserved populations. These partner organizations are nominated by MDP’s dancers, staff, or collaborators, allowing our internal community to spotlight causes close to their hearts. Funds raised are shared between MDP’s mission-driven programs and these chosen nonprofits, reinforcing our belief that bold artistic work and meaningful social impact can thrive together. Whether through financial support, visibility, or collaboration, MDP | Gives Back extends our reach beyond the stage—building a more connected, equitable world through the arts.

MDP | Ambassadors

MDP | Ambassadors pairs McKoy Dance Project professionals with individuals directly in the community. As the company performs and travels MDP intends to create short-term and long-term partnerships with community centers and schools to create a mentorship and immersive program where the organization is providing advice and 1:1 attention with individuals in the community.

MDP | CENTRAL

MDP | News is McKoy Dance Project’s hub of everything MDP. This is our monthly newsletter that allows our community to stay in contact with MDP throughout the year. Subscribers to our newsletter receive updates and insights into our work with advance notice of all company events and programming.

MDP | On Demand provides a unique opportunity for art lovers and training professionals to enjoy the refined excellence of the company or dive into new skills/training in entrepreneurship. Enjoy the repertory and virtual programming of McKoy Dance Project || MDP from anywhere in the world.

MDP | Tea Talks is an annual series of community talks and panel discussions held to increase conversation and collaboration around issues that we face today. McKoy Dance Project shares these riveting conversations to the public in video and audio podcast formats. The topics can surround important concepts like mentorship, the state of the arts, race, gender/sexuality, health, and where to find the necessary resources. Tea Talks, through social education and exchange, seeks to bring people together and provide them with the tools for insightful thought and growth.