The Power of Collaboration

S1E7 of What The Fringe?!

At the Denver Aerial Dance Collective (DADC), collaboration is more than a method but is the essence of their art. Their body of work showcases what is possible when diverse artists work together, blending aerial technique, grounded movement, and storytelling into one seamless performance.

The women of Denver Aerial Dance Collective

Individual Stories - Shared Vision

Unlike traditional companies led by a single artistic director, Denver Aerial Dance Collective thrives as a true collective. Each member contributes choreography, drawing from unique backgrounds in ballet, jazz, salsa, circus, or hip hop. The process is both individual and shared. Each choreographer selects the apparatus that best conveys their vision, while the music ties the entire production together. The result is a variety of personal stories unified by common threads of sound and movement.

Expertise and Trust Enables Adaptability

Working as an all-female ensemble also shapes the company’s approach. While aerial dance requires tremendous strength, the dancers highlight the flexibility, artistry, and unique shapes their bodies can create. Cross-training in pilates, dance, and aerial classes builds the stamina needed for full-length shows. Injuries do happen, but rather than disrupt the work, they spark adaptation. Members step in for one another, revise choreography, or reshape the piece entirely. This adaptability is only possible because of the deep trust at the core of their collaboration.

Visual Impact

The company’s collaborative spirit is visible in their visual design as well. Shapes, colors, and costumes are carefully chosen to enhance the performance. Members gifted in visual composition assign leotards and apparatus colors to balance the stage picture. Costumes, often custom-made and accented with rhinestones, reflect the same commitment to detail and cohesion as the choreography itself.

DADC Collaboration at Fringe

Collaboration also defines their Fringe journey. Touring to the KC Fringe they faced the challenge of performing in an unfamiliar venue. By reaching out to local aerial artists, they found the technical advice they needed to succeed. That experience reinforced how collaboration extends beyond their eight-member group to the wider artistic community.

For Denver Aerial Dance Collective, collaboration is not only about creating art, it is the art.

This blog post was inspired by S1 E7 of the What the Fringe?! podcast, and was written utilizing AI technology, in conjunction with human oversight and editing.