The Initiative is a project-based contemporary dance company founded and directed by Isaac Knuteson. Created with the vision of connecting artists beyond geographic boundaries, The Initiative brings together dancers from across the United States, including Texas, Wisconsin, California, New York City, and beyond.

The company was established to provide dancers with opportunities to perform, collaborate, and represent Isaac's choreographic work at festivals, showcases, and performance events nationwide. Since its founding, The Initiative has been selected to perform at a variety of respected festivals and showcases, including Joel Hall Dance Center, MashUp Open Mic Night, Dance Mission Theater, Ballet Legato, Dance New Jersey Festival, Myths Choreographers Showcase, Trifecta Dance Collective, Oakland Dance Festival,  Dance Mission: Open Mic Night, Ballet Legato: Roots, Vaulta Current, Greenspace, Delve Dance: Works In Progress, ST.Louis Contemporary Dance Festival, Dance City Festival, Richmond Dance Festival, Mission In The Mix, Trifecta Dance: Works in Progress, and the Young Choreographer Festival.

What makes The Initiative unique is its innovative, remote-based rehearsal process. Dancers learn choreography through professionally recorded video content and participate in virtual rehearsals led by Isaac and the Assistant Director via Zoom. This structure allows artists from different regions of the country to train, rehearse, and perform together while building meaningful artistic connections.

In addition to virtual rehearsals, The Initiative hosts in-studio workshops and intensive training opportunities, giving company members the chance to work together in person, deepen their artistic development, and strengthen the collaborative spirit of the company.

The Initiative consists of two divisions:

Main Company — Professional and pre-professional dancers ages 18 and older who are actively training, performing, and pursuing careers within the dance industry.

Apprentice Company — Dancers under the age of 18 who are continuing their training and gaining valuable performance experience through mentorship, rehearsals, workshops, and company projects.

Through innovation, collaboration, and artistic excellence, The Initiative continues to create opportunities for dancers nationwide while expanding the reach of Isaac Knuteson's choreographic work.