DDP Talks To Allison Orr (Founding Artistic Director)
Forklift Danceworks
Forklift’s mission is to “activate communities through a collaborative creative process.” What motivated you to found a company with this vision and how do works like your upcoming project, The Way of Water, achieve this goal?
Forklift Danceworks was born from a desire to bring people together through art, particularly by spotlighting those whose labor often goes unnoticed. The inspiration came from a project I did as a graduate student in choreography where I collaborated with the campus maintenance staff and grounds crew, creating a series of dances that highlighted the movement and rhythm inherent in their daily work. I approached these campus employees with the request to allow me to job shadow them, and then work with them to co-create dances that would help me and my fellow students understand more about their critical contributions to campus. That initial project laid the foundation for Forklift’s mission: to activate communities through a collaborative creative process.
What I’ve learned over the years is that this work is deeply rooted in relationship building. It’s about spending time with people, earning their trust, and immersing ourselves in their work environments. We strive to understand the unique language, pace, and culture of each community we engage with. By becoming part of their day-to-day life, we can create art that genuinely resonates with and reflects their experiences.
With our upcoming project, The Way of Water, we’re taking this approach to a global scale. This initiative will deepen the public’s understanding of climate-based water issues and explore innovative solutions. By translating complex scientific data into relatable and compelling stories, and using the transformative power of live performance, we aim to inspire change. Each city involved in The Way of Water will have the opportunity to envision and contribute to a future where sustainable water practices are not just imagined but implemented. This project perfectly embodies Forklift’s mission, using art as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and action on critical global issues.
What metrics do you use to track the effectiveness of your projects and their positive impact on both local and global communities?
We track the effectiveness of our projects through a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics that align with our mission of activating communities through collaborative art-making. Our performances are the result of a long-term process rooted in listening, relationship building, and community engagement. This process includes town halls, workshops, and civic engagement activities that encourage dialogue between audiences and performers, helping to deepen the impact of both the creative process and the issues we’re addressing. We hold ourselves accountable to our collaborators and ensure throughout our entire partnership that the project is meeting their stated needs and desired outcomes.
To measure the outcomes of our work, we rely on project surveys that capture participants’ experiences and the broader community impact. For example, 80%+ of participants report an increased sense of themselves as creative individuals and 91% agree that working with Forklift Danceworks had a positive effect on their group. Additionally, 85% of participants noted improved morale and collaboration at their workplace, and 95% believe the project helped enhance public perception of their workgroup or department.
A specific example of our impact is from our My Park, My Pool, My City project, a multi-year partnership with Austin’s Aquatic Division. Surveys from this project indicated significant increases in community pride, a deeper understanding of community history, and a heightened interest in pool advocacy. Even though many of our participants are new to contemporary dance, 86% say they’re more likely to attend future Forklift performances or other performing arts events because of their involvement.
Your company has partnered with a diverse group of organizations, both in the Texas community and around the world. How do you choose these partners and how do the needs of your community inform who you collaborate with?
The selection of our partners is always guided by our commitment to creating work that’s deeply rooted in and responsive to the communities we serve. We start by listening—really listening—to the needs and concerns of the community, understanding the issues they’re facing, and identifying the organizations and leaders who are already working toward solutions. This approach makes sure that our collaborations are not only relevant but truly impactful.
For The Way of Water initiative, our partnerships are carefully chosen to reflect the diverse voices and expertise necessary to tackle the critical issue of water sustainability. Here in Austin, we’ve partnered with several stakeholders, including the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, Dove Springs neighborhood leaders, and various community organizations to make sure this project is grounded in local experiences and knowledge.
By choosing partners who are not just aligned with our mission but also deeply embedded in the communities we engage with, we can ensure that our projects are both meaningful and sustainable. These collaborations enable us to create art that resonates with both local and global audiences while addressing the pressing issues our communities face.
You wrote DanceWorks: Stories of Creative Collaboration to offer “a look at how to create community-based art projects.” As a guide for collaborative art-making, what does this book recommend and suggest? How do the ideas examined in this book relate to your work at Forklift?
When I wrote DanceWorks: Stories of Creative Collaboration, my goal was to create an accessible guide for artists, organizers, and anyone interested in using art as a way to bring diverse communities together. The book really emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the art-making process and offers practical advice on how to engage with people from all walks of life.
A key idea I explore in the book is that artists should be at the center of critical civic issues, whether it’s climate change, public transportation, or social justice. Artists have this unique ability to serve as messengers and storytellers, bridging gaps and fostering understanding in ways that more traditional approaches often can’t. By embedding themselves in non-artistic environments, artists can become vital connectors in conversations about tough issues, bringing new perspectives and creative solutions to the table.
At Forklift Danceworks, these principles are at the heart of what we do. We’re constantly striving to support artists and communities to collaborate in non-traditional spaces, using the art-making process not just to create performances, but to build connections and inspire change. This book reflects that vision, offering guidance and inspiration for artists to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing challenges and shaping a more inclusive future.
