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The STATE OF THE ARTS productions seek to inspire new perspectives, encourage a shared sense of humanity, and to inform creatively about the world we live in through innovative, interdisciplinary works of art.

Before the formal creation of the organization, our pilot initiative — D A N C E L I V E — emerged in 2020 during the devastating Coronavirus pandemic. What began as an urgent response to keep dance alive during global shutdowns became the spark, the laboratory, and ultimately the impulse that led to founding The State of the Arts.

Conceived as a platform to livestream dance projects online and unveil the creative process from conception to performance, D A N C E L I V E highlighted some of the most influential performing artists in New York City and reimagined how audiences could experience dance.

Its mission was to fully expose the dance world and its creators through classes, rehearsals, and live interviews — fostering a deeper connection between audiences, the art form, and the artists.

D A N C E L I V E's debut took place in November 2020 through a short documentary film titled New York Alive, produced in collaboration with renowned filmmaker Steven Sebring.

It was released on Veeps, and featured a new Pas de Deux by Joshua Beamish, music by Peter Sparacino, costumes by Norma Kamali and danced by American Ballet Theater Principal's Herman Cornejo and Skylar Brandt, and a new solo created by Cornejo to Gershwin's iconic 'Rhapsody in Blue' with music performed by the internationally- acclaimed Argentinian pianist  Horacio Lavandera.

 

The project was filmed using the revolutionary 360° capture that distinguishes much of Steven's work and incorporated cutting-edge cinematic technology that created an immersive “augmented reality” experience.