Everybody dance now

For the 30th August in a row, the singular, joyful Built on Stilts returns to Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. For those who’ve never had the delight of encountering it, Built on Stilts is an open-to-anyone, free-for-all happening. Founded chiefly as a modern dance performance, it has grown to include drag, tap, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, poetry, singer-songwriters, structured improv, comedy, audience participation, line-dancing senior citizens, adorable kids, and even, yes, stilts. Anyone who wants to participate simply writes up a brief description of what they want to do, and as long as it’s no longer than seven minutes and contains no nudity or violence, it will be welcome.

Co-founder and director Abby Bender reflects on the resilience of the organization in changing times: “It always feels fresh because the work is new every year, but the vibe never changes. It’s that same awesome, feel-good community stuff.”

But the Vineyard has changed a lot over the past three decades, and that has had a downstream impact on Built on Stilts. For one thing, the number of events has proliferated wildly. “The Island is overflowing with programming, and I think it’s great,” she says, “but we’ve never had to compete with Jewel before. It was us and the Fireworks and the fair and Illumination Night.”

This leads to a challenge that has affected nearly every facet of Island life: the expense. “We have fewer visiting artists, because nobody can afford to come here,” says Bender. “All the visiting artists are staying with someone they know, because there are just no options anymore, so that’s a bummer. So many would love to come if they could swing it. But the local professionals are rising to the occasion.”

Indeed they are. Built on Stilts generally runs for six nights total, with a dozen acts each night; they have expanded to eight shows with about 15 acts per show. And most of those are Vineyarders, or at least Vineyard-adjacent. “There’s a company on Cape Cod,” Bender says by way of example, “that’s coming because its head is a librarian who knows librarians here.” Anna Lucky, who co-founded Built on Stilts with Bender and danced in it for its first 15 years, is returning to the Island to dance a duet with Bender. “We’re gonna create it in a week,” says Bender, with her usual infectious optimism. “Anna hasn’t danced in a long time; it’s a big deal. And this has really rekindled her relationship to the Island.” 

There are also new performers coming, whom Bender has never met; the festival is organized so that she never sees anyone’s performance prior to their technical rehearsal. “There’s a new company from New York that’s coming,” she says. “And a team of Irish dancers.” There will also be a radio show, and a number of Bender’s own works, including a comedic dance piece.

What is most notable to Bender is that despite the challenge for off-Islanders to come, “local participation has skyrocketed. So while the arts are struggling, the arts are doing better than ever.” 

The organization overall is experiencing another sea change. After 30 years, “we’re newly 501(c)(3),” she says. “I have a board! This allows us to apply for more grants, to serve artists and the community.” Previously, Circuit Arts had been the event’s fiscal sponsor. Now, 100 percent of all tax-deductible donations go to BOS and its associated programming. This includes Membership Down, a live variety/game show/fundraiser, as well as Bender’s winter programming at Chilmark Tavern’s Pathways. “Eventually, I will be able to expand our programming,” Bender anticipates. “We’ll always be grassroots and gritty, because that’s just my nature. I will always have the brand of the underdog.”

In the meantime, August means Built on Stilts. “Whether it’s for the thousandth time or the first time,” Bender beams, “I think it’s going to be wonderful.”

Built on Stilts will perform August 6-9 and 14-17 at 8 pm at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. Each night has a different lineup; all are family-friendly. Admission is fee-free and reservation-free, with donations accepted at the door.