Maya Tacon and Emma Lawes are the driving forces behind CO-, a production engine that serves as an incubator for artists working across genres of movement and brings dance into unconventional spaces. At one of their Performance + Party events, you’ll encounter artists working in short form, flying around stages, galleries, or even parks. Years later, you might see some of those same artists with work that has been developed into a full-length show produced by CO- PRESENTS or CO-NDUIT. At the heart of it all is the collaboration between two dancers, producers, and longtime friends.
“We are codirectors, collaborators, co-teachers,” says Maya about the origin of their name. “The prefix was in so many of the words we used to describe what we do.” During lockdown, the two found themselves dismayed about the state of the creative community. As things began to reopen, the pair would go on long walks together. Maya recalls them questioning, How do we get back in? Where is everybody? “We missed being in space, being inspired, and challenging our practice.”
Their emerging production, Show 1, was held in Georgetown in late 2021, taking place with masks and limited capacity. They had no idea what the event would set in motion. “We did not expect CO- to take off in the way that it has,” says Emma. “We thought we were doing some cute little shows. Now we have an annual budget, donors, and get grants.” Five years in, with 15 Performance + Party shows and numerous other collaborations under their belts, their vision only continues to grow.
They “channel vibrancy,” says Maya. “We really want to have this warm, joyful experience for people, inside and out.” They connect a broad network of movement-focused talent that can include drag, burlesque, ballet, contemporary performance art, street styles, or a hybrid of anything between. Once in a CO- production, artists stay on CO-’s radar for development, resources, and opportunities. “We’re shaping the field that we want to be a part of, and this is the support and connections that we crave,” says Emma.
Recently, CO- has expanded their programming to Los Angeles, which has challenged them to broaden their approach. “Our Seattle mission is to bring different pockets of the dance scene together. Everyone feels siloed in their own worlds,” says Emma. “LA is not really like that. There’s more work, so everyone wears different hats and the communities intermingle. However, LA has way fewer opportunities to show works in progress and short-form work at a paid rate. We’re learning by doing.”
Back in Seattle, CO- held their fundraising CO-DINNER in October, but emphasizes that you can give to them at any time; with the sheer number of artists they employ, it’s well worth giving CO- your support. “We still don’t really pay ourselves much for this work. That’s difficult, but we’re going to do it,” says Emma.
“Thinking about sustainability for the arts is a huge conversation.” Maya adds, “We’re still clawing and climbing, and a lot of that is really rewarding work. The long game is CO-, so we’re asking: How can we employ this many artists all year and really be able to rely on certain amounts of income? Being a business owner is crazy. We started all this going on walks, crying to each other, and now we have a business to fund. We have grown into calling ourselves curators and producers. It’s hard work but exciting.”
CO-NDUIT presented by CO- will be at Base Camp Studios 2 as part of SENSORIUM: Dec 5–6, featuring Cameo and Keyes; and Dec 12–13, featuring ATM and BLUESCREEN.