Access for Students    |    Meaningful for Audiences    |    Performances for Artists

mission  + History

AMP aspires to become a self-sustaining professional dance company that serves communities in the Twin Cities area and elsewhere lacking in arts education and performance exposure.  AMP is committed to bridging the gap between the pre-professional and accomplished professional dancer by giving quality performance opportunities where each artist can further develop their skills.  AMP also sets out to transform education systems to include kinesthetic learning while channeling and nurturing creative thinking.  The AMP model can ultimately be used as a template for other cities that have similar dance performance and education needs.

OUR MISSION

Alternative Motion Project (AMP) is a professional dance company passionately striving to create accessible, entertaining, and meaningful dance work throughout the Twin Cities area. Driven by the creative process, AMP gives an alternative dance performance experience to both audience and performer alike by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.  AMP increases communications between performer and audience member through an array of materials and discussions.  AMP also encourages its company members to continually grow in their levels of training through quality dance performance of the choreography by its founders as well as collaborations by other up-and-coming artists. Committed to increasing dance exposure and education for people of all artistic backgrounds, AMP provides workshops, residencies, and performances based on the community’s specific needs.

history

For a complete history, click here.

Alternative Motion Project (AMP) was founded in 2011 by local dance artists, Kristin Howe and Joanna Lees when they recognized a need for more performance and educational opportunities for talented dance artists in the Twin Cities.  In less than three years, AMP has produced five different shows, performed twice in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, toured to Louisville, KY and Kalamazoo, MI, successfully raised two separate Kickstarter campaigns, worked with 25 different artists, and began its Outreach program by hosting Creative Arts High School (St. Paul, MN) for an Educational Performance.

What does it mean to move big?

Move BIG is more than a tagline- it is AMP's philosophy. Move BIG means more than the large and virtuosic movement that Howe and Lees have been known for. Move BIG is advancing the art form of dance in any way we can. Whether it is through our choreography and performances, collaborations with other artists, engaging audience members, or education and exposure to those in need, we can come together as a community and acknowledge that we serve a purpose that is greater than ourselves.