Made Here

Made Here, presented by Tendu TV in 2012, is an enlightening and inspirational documentary-style television series. Its main purpose and aim are to explore the unique lives, struggles, and experiences of professional performing artists who are based in New York City. The creative world can be full of color and struggle simultaneously, and this show provides an unfiltered, raw look into the lives of these creators.

Across the series, viewers are privy to exceptional interviews and discussions, engagingly highlighting how artists adjust to the challenges and stumbling blocks of making a living from their respective crafts. The artists featured range from a diverse spectrum of performing arts, such as theater, dance, music, comedy, and poetry. This rich variety ensures that audiences get a broad look into the performing arts scene in New York City, a city renowned for its vibrant and dynamic artistic community.

Made Here is not just limited to profiling and interviewing the artists. The show dives deeper and provides an insight into the different aspects of their lives, such as the non-artistic side of their existence, how their art impacts their relationships, and how they balance their artistic pursuit with the need to survive in one of the busiest, most expensive cities in the world. It also gives a fascinating look into the creative process, the motivation, the passion that fuels these gifted individuals, and even the environments they create in.

Focal topics on the show range from inspiring discussions on Identity, to the struggles of Balance, Activism in artistry, and the very essence of Home. Within these overarching themes, each episode often revolves around a centralized sub-topic, delving into the practical ramifications of pursuing art in such a competitive and expensive city, such as housing, workspaces, health care, artist-parents, and money. These topics are not often explored in typical discussions about art, making Made Here a unique and earnest examination of the less glamorous but equally important side of an artist’s life.

The idea behind the series is more than just illuminating the struggles and victories of New York-based artists. It also aims to celebrate their unwavering spirit, resilience, and determination, that fuels them to create, irrespective of numerous odds against them. Specifically, going beyond the spotlight and fame, Made Here portrays their fight not just for their art, but also for their basic, fundamental lifestyles – economies, homes, and, in many cases, validations toward their passions.

The show features some of the most distinguished artists of the performing arts world such as Bill T. Jones, a Tony award-winning choreographer, and Lisa Kron, a playwright. And while the established names provide a perspective from the viewpoint of those who've made it, the inclusion of emerging artists ensures a balanced narrative depicting the struggles at different points in an artist's career.

What truly set Made Here apart is its authentic and real portrayal of artists' lives. The show uncovers challenges that are rarely spoken about or seen in mainstream narrative - posing a mirror to the passion that drives these artists and the price they sometimes pay for it. It reaches out to fellow creatives, possibly going through similar highs and lows, providing them with assurance that they are not alone. It tugs at the heartstrings of the audience and leaves a mark, serving as a thoughtful documentation of the human will to create.

The series was streamed online on Tendu TV's platform, which was a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to bring performing arts to a broader audience. This approach ensured that artists' stories could reach the global community, making the series accessible to anyone interested in the arts.

In its essence, Made Here is a documentary series that gives viewers an intimate glimpse into the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of performing artists in New York City. It captures the spirit, passion, and indomitable drive of these artists while offering a raw, uncensored look into their lives. Whether you're an artist yourself, an art enthusiast, or just someone looking for moving stories of human passion and resilience, Made Here is compelling viewing.