AVOIDance is a new short film about self-discovery through despair. Emmy Award winners Ben Needham-Wood (choreographer) and Matt McKee (director) have teamed up with two of San Francisco’s most inspiring dancers, Jennifer Stahl (San Francisco Ballet) and James Gilmer (ODC Dance), to create a narrative that will move audiences to their core. Featuring the designs of Susan Roemer (S-Curve Apparel & Design), AVOIDance takes the struggle of internal conflict and asks, “How can our weakest moments yield our greatest strength?”
“When I was 25 years old I lost my mom to breast cancer. Her passing left a VOID inside of me - I realized I had leaned on her strength for so long that I questioned whether I could succeed without it. It took a lot of soul searching (and some close friends) to help me realize that I could take this emptiness and fill it with something else. I started to find my own strength, mending the cracks inside me with the most inspired reflections of her memory. I realized that the very memories which at first brought me pain and heartache were actually the tools I needed to become my greatest self. It was through this tragedy that I discovered who I could be.
AVOIDance is inspired by my journey, but I hope that - regardless of what trauma you may have faced in your own life - this film inspires you to turn your lowest moments into your greatest accomplishments.” — Ben Needham-Wood, Choreographer
The five artists of AVOIDance have come together around one purpose - to exceed expectations. Individually we have won Emmy Awards, had our work displayed at the National Museum of Dance and Fall of Fame, won an Isadora Duncan Dance Award, performed across the world, and have trended as one of the "Buffest Ballerinos of Instagram." Together we have the power to take our inspiration to new dimensions.
MATT MCKEE, DIRECTOR is a 12-time Emmy Award Winning Writer/Director/Cinematographer. He is best known for his work with the San Francisco Giants, documenting 3 World Titles, Directing 3 Marketing Campaigns and bringing us "Mi Amor", "Full Clubhouse", "The Tim Lincecum Show" and many other acclaimed digital projects. *FUN-FACT: MATT MCKEE and BEN NEEDHAM-WOOD recently collaborated on a film (BaseBallet: Into the Game) that is currently nominated for 4 Regional Emmy Awards - results TBA June 2, 2018
BEN NEEDHAM-WOOD, CHOREOGRAPHER is an Emmy Award Winning Choreographer. His 2015 film, BaseBallet, has been on display at the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame. Ben's works have been performed on stages across the United States and Canada, as well as in music videos and on television. He also maintains a distinguished performance career, currently appearing as a company artists with Smuin Contemporary Ballet in San Francisco, CA.
SUSAN ROEMER, DESIGNER is a San Francisco-based costume designer producing dance and athletic apparel under her own label, S-Curve Apparel & Design. Her work for Amy Seiwert’s “Wandering” in 2017 earned her an Isadora Duncan Award for Visual Design. Roemer has designed and constructed costumes for some of the countries (and world's!) biggest dance companies.
JENNIFER STAHL, DANCER is a Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet. In her career she has performed works by some of the world's most notable choreographers and garnished international acclaim. In 2004, Jennifer was a finalist at both the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland and the Youth American Grand Prix in New York. That same year, she was fortunate to be a finalist and scholarship winner at the Los Angeles Music Center's Spotlight Awards.
JAMES GILMER, DANCER is an artist with ODC Dance in San Francisco, CA. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, James danced for several of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and the Pittsburgh years with Cincinnati Ballet where he performed numerous principal and featured roles. James was listed as one of the "Buffest Ballerinos of Instagram You Should Be Following" by Dance.com
We have the artists and the vision, but we need your help to raise the funds necessary to produce an incredible film. To learn more about our specific needs and how you can donate, please visit our IndieGoGo campaign - https://igg.me/at/AVOIDance . Every donation makes a big difference.
Thank you from all of us at AVOIDance!
