Letter from Our Co-Founder and Executive Director, Stephanie Jojokian
It’s always amazed me how we’ve survived and thrived as a grassroots organization for almost two decades. At the close of our 18th year, I am reminded that we’ve survived because of our supportive community – people like you. But now, as January approaches, we are experiencing increases in rent for our rehearsal spaces, as well as supporters spending less on classes, workshops, and tickets as folks tighten up purse strings due to higher interest rates and overall uncertainty of the economy.
This Season of Giving, I’m asking you to give the gift of dance.
The Positive: We serve more individuals of all ages and have seen an increased number of dancers who train with CMI since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we are not yet back to pre-COVID numbers in our teen apprentice or youth programs, we have held strong. This year, in particular, both youth groups and the contemporary side of our professional company have grown.
The Challenges: On January 1, 2024, our 18-year-old home, Onelife Fitness in Capitol Hill, will increase its rent. Other studios we use for classes and rehearsals are also raising their rents. Safe, accessible, and available weekly spaces are difficult to secure in DC, and we would like to stay in our current spaces, where we have years of history and important memories that make up the fabric of what CMI is.
CMI currently opens each season with weekly space rentals in two different locations (Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Onelife Fitness) in September after company auditions. We host classes and workshops open to the public, run rehearsals, and train and prepare for three shows a season. This past summer, we launched pop-up community outreach classes in four locations across Wards 5 and 6 in DC to engage new beginner young dancers ages 5-16 and expose them to various styles of dance.
Our upcoming CMI-produced season of shows begins November 18, 2023, at The Atlas Performing Arts Center and ends May 3-4, 2024, at Arena Stage. The cost of renting theaters for shows ranges from $8,000-$16,000. This important core function of our mission helps to provide mentorship and performance experience, and serves our community with free “Golden” tickets, as well as an entire free matinee of dance for 270 DC Public Schools students.
As Co-Founder and Executive Director, I ask you to consider donating to our Season of Giving Campaign. “The Gift of Dance” is not just for the current dancing artists but also the students we reach five days a week in DC Public Schools through our outreach programs. Families that could not normally afford elite training and mentorship opportunities outside of school for their children have the opportunity to train with Capitol Movement because of your donation.
Please help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 by December 31st.
Consider a one-time donation or become a recurring spotlight sustainer with a monthly donation. Just $20 provides a matinee ticket for one of our shows for a DC student. A gift of $120 provides a month of dance classes and training for a youth on scholarship. A $300 donation supplies resources to company members teaching outreach traveling classes.
You can help us build better lives through dance.
In gratitude,
Stephanie Jojokian
