WHY

HOLDTIGHT is an interdisciplinary performance art company based between Denver & NYC, creating and presenting experiential, interactive, and urgent contemporary works based in eco-psychology. HOLDTIGHT’s mission is to create transformative experiences which elicit questions, conversations, interconnection, and deep joy, supporting humanity toward healing and radical forward-thinking change.

Founded in 2016 and led by Gwendolyn Gussman, HOLDTIGHT illuminates the intersection of art, environmental activism, psyche, and body through the interconnected nature of various perspectives and identities.

HOW

HOLDTIGHT blends artistic mediums including movement, music, scenography, spoken word, lighting, and video, with extensive research to conceptualize, develop, produce, and present each performance experience.

HOLDTIGHT is committed to fostering conversations and community both within and beyond performance experiences; HOLDTIGHT hosts quarter-annual Community Events; works in partnership with other non-profit organizations, and currently offers monthly open-level educational workshops in Denver, CO.

HOLDTIGHT values experimentation, artistic excellence, attunement, courage, open dialogue, reflection, and thoughtful action.

HISTORY

HOLDTIGHT has collaborated with over 60 acclaimed artists, including Grammy and Emmy-award winners, in genres such as dance, theater, live and original music, scenography, video design, visual arts, sculpture, lighting, digital rendering, and the culinary arts. The company’s repertoire includes site-specific work created for non-traditional performance spaces including an 1800's carriage house, an armory, historic mansions, museums, galleries, restaurants, and both conventional and unconventional theaters. Since its founding, HOLDTIGHT has created & premiered 13 evening-length immersive works, including the Nourishment series. HOLDTIGHT has received artist residencies and been presented by the Newman Center for the Performing Arts (CO, 2024), The Arts Complex with Denver Arts & Venues (CO, 2024),The Cell Theatre (NYC, 2020-2022), Carroll Hall (NYC, 2023), MOVE! Dance and Arts Space (CO, 2019), and others. Additionally, HOLDTIGHT has been presented nationally at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Somebody People (CO), Stowaway Kitchen (CO),The Olympic Auditorium Complex (CO), Church Street School for Music and Art (NYC), The Wadsworth Museum (CT), YourMove Festival (NJ), HiArtist (NYC), and more. HT has been featured in publications such as Westword, The Brooklyn Rail, The Dance Enthusiast, The Denver Post, 303 Magazine, Colorado Public Radio’s ‘Colorado Matters’, Onstage Colorado, Front Row Center, No Proscenium, Presenting Denver, Interludes, and more.