Taking Up Space

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Taking Up Space

Taking Up Space dance company supports choreographers and dancers who identify as women of color and desire to put their work out into the world.

Taking Up Space dance company centers the stories of women of color, who have historically been left out of the picture when it comes to who and what is valued in the dance world. By providing these dance artists an opportunity to deliver a vision, we support them to be seen in a world where traditionally they've been kept out of the picture. We also make it possible for creators without companies to see their ideas come to fruition.

08/27/2026

WHAT DOES “TAKING UP SPACE” REALLY MEAN?

When people first hear our name, they wonder what it means. Is it just about dance, or is there more to it?

Sometimes dancers hear directions like:

"Use up more of the stage."
"Make your movements bigger."
"Let the audience really see you."

Those words may be referring to choreography in that moment. They can also be about something much deeper. They're about giving yourself permission to really shine, both on and off the stage. To take up a lot of room, there in the audience's vision and in their minds. Knowing that you have every right to be there, telling the story you are telling and delivering the messages you are there to deliver.

At Taking Up Space, we believe that every dancer deserves the freedom to move boldly, create authentically, and share the stories that only they can tell.

Because taking up space isn't about being louder than anyone else. It's about knowing that your voice, your body, your experiences, and your stories already belong.

That's the heart of Taking Up Space.

And it's the heart behind every piece, every collaboration, and every performance we create.

07/15/2026

EVERY STAGE HAS BROUGHT US ONE STEP CLOSER TO OUR VISION

Taking Up Space was created to make more room for women of the global majority to choreograph, perform, and be seen. Since beginning this journey, we’ve been honored to share our work with our beautiful community through sharing the stage with others in the local area, such as Zuzi!, Ascend Movement Community, and 520 Dance.

Each performance has reminded us why this work matters. Every rehearsal, every collaboration, and every audience member who connected with the work has reinforced one thing: Our stories belong on stage.

And this is only the beginning. We’re currently dreaming, planning, and building toward our 2027 performance, our most ambitious project yet.
If you are someone who believes more stories deserve to be seen and you're interested in donating to our organization, we’d love to connect. Let’s create something meaningful together.

07/09/2026

Having a little fun during rehearsal. We're in the studio now, preparing for something exciting!!

06/24/2026

Taking Up Space began with a simple idea:

There are dancers who have not always been given the spotlight, and we need to see more of them.

Our dancers carry stories of resilience, freedom, healing, joy, and transformation. Stories shaped by lived experiences. Stories that deserve to be shared. Stories that deserve to be seen.

Coming soon: Taking Up Space will present our first ever dance concert, bringing together artists, stories, and communities that deserve to be seen fully.

Creating space for these stories to be told takes a community.
If these words resonate with you, we invite you to be part of this journey.

Whether through a donation, sponsorship, sharing our story, connecting us with potential supporters, or simply cheering us on, your support helps make this vision possible.

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to take up space. Send us a PM for details.

06/17/2026

MEET THE DIRECTOR: MEREDITH ALVARADO

Taking Up Space was born from a need I saw after spending decades in the dance world.

I've always felt, both in the dance world and in day-to-day life, that as a woman of color I'm often expected to step back and let others have the spotlight.

I decided that I was tired of living that way and that I was ready to stop hiding.

I wanted to remember to take up that space, both physically and energetically, just as a person, to be in the room, and to be seen fully.

Over the years, I've been guided by choreographers and directors to use all of the space around me, to travel farther, make my movements bigger, and use all of my body parts in order to be seen fully from the back row balcony of a huge theater.

At first, it felt unnatural. Scary. Uncomfortable. It's been a journey to be able to take that direction more and more over time.

I knew I wasn't the only one who had felt this way. And even beyond the stage, I knew there were many dancers of color who have experienced not being seen in a world where historically we've been kept out of the picture.

I know there are others out there who also want, and very much deserve, the light to shine on them.

And I'd love to make that possible. So that's what I'm doing.

Meredith Alvarado
Founder & Director, Taking Up Space

06/12/2026

TAKING UP SPACE - WHY WE EXIST

What if you spent your whole life being told – directly or indirectly – that you didn't belong? That you didn't fit in? That this place wasn't a place for you to participate? That you could watch – but that this place was not for you.

This is the lived experience of many dancers who did not fit the "look" of what dancers in the U.S. were expected to have. Many with the talent and the willingness to put in the work were not chosen to be in spaces because of certain characteristics. Their height, their body size, their shape, their skin, their hair, and the list goes on.

And while over time that has been changing, there's still a long way to go when it comes to seeing a variety in professional dance companies. Not just in terms of appearance, but also in terms of the styles of dance that are most revered in this country.

Sometimes, after being told for so long that you don't belong, you begin to believe it. And then when you have an opportunity to actually take up space – both physically, on the stage, as well as energetically – you don't even know how to do it.

Taking Up Space was born from a simple yet powerful decision:
✨ These dancers need a place to finally make room for themselves. ✨

Taking Up Space supports choreographers and dancers who identify as women of color and desire to put their work out into the world. By providing these artists an opportunity to deliver a vision, we support them to be seen in a world where historically, they've been kept out of the picture.

We believe we have stories to tell because we have been in the world for a while now. We have lived through experiences that other dancers may not have. We have experienced challenges. We have healed. We have found joy. And we have some good things to say.

Central to our messaging is the message of freedom.
✨ We get to be free people.
We desire to continue to be free. We want to celebrate our freedom. We want to remember that it took effort to get here.

We are amazing, incredible people who have come through so many experiences, and we're here to deliver those messages to the wider world.

This is Taking Up Space.
Welcome to our community.

Address

Tucson, AZ

Website

http://takingupspacedance.com/

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