Dancing towards a Bright Season
Odyssey Dance Theatre has turned five! Although it hasn't been that long a time since I started officially sponsoring this dance troupe, I have always treasured the enlightening exchanges with Odyssey Dance Theatre, from been part of an audience, to an appreciator, then a concerned friend, and now a patron. This is because I see a young man who remains unwavering committed to his cause along this journey of the arts. With a spirit to give, like a candle that burns itself so as to give light to others, he shown perseverance and fighting spirit in the creation of dance works, and has tirelessly contributed to artistic education. From his passion, I see a spark of hope for arts and culture in Singapore.
Sponsorship includes the tangibles of monetary and human resources assistance, as well as the intangibles of heartfelt support and encouragement. The former allows artists to unleash their talents without being burdened by worries; the latter, more of mental encouragement, gives them the reassurance that they are not alone on this journey, that there is someone showing them concern and encouragement, and who is willing to provide them with various kinds of practical aid and support whenever there is the need.
Thanks to assistance from the National Arts Council, in recent months, Odyssey Dance Theatre can have a place to call home. Although it isn't exactly spacious, and the actual stage has to be narrowed down during rehearsals which inevitably affects the pattern of choreography, these young and professional dancers nonetheless spend more than eight hours here everyday in diligent rehearsals, wholeheartedly unleashing their passion and talents for dance, as offering and their ode to and celebrating Life. This is a place where artistic talents are nurtured. This is a professional dance troupe that is not burdened by undue worries. Their only mission is to dance wholeheartedly, to bring forth the bright blossoming Spring of our dancing scene.
Danny has given his dancers this purity of space, Similarly, I hope to share this burden with Danny to alleviate the heavy financial and logistical stress that he would otherwise need to bear when creating this freedom. I would also like to thank all sponsors of Odyssey Dance Theatre for the past five years, from government organisations to private enterprises. Without your generous sponsorship, the dance troupe would be unable to survive. I hope to rally more enterprises to join in the support of arts and culture, so that the burden on local artists can be lighter and more of them can focus on creating more outstanding artistic pieces.
Looking back on the past five years, Danny's dance creations have indeed been impressive with certain creations that can be seen to be classics. In this exhibition where we look at these five years in retrospect, we can see that Danny Tan and Odyssey Dance Theatre have accomplished much beautifully. For the next five years ahead, Odyssey Dance Theatre has set certain plans and aspirations. May their spirit and passion continue to sustain them, for to create more touching pieces, for to forge ahead a shinning path, and for to be as examples of professionalism to other arts entities in Singapore.
Let it be that, in time to come, when we are to look back on the achievements, we should find that each and every tear, and each very drop of perspiration shed along the way, all these transformed into bright, sparkling stars, there to shed leading lights on our next generation, and forever more.
