Nicole Holt

Spanish Fork, Utah

Dance Performance

EDGE Creativity Track

 

 

Tale of Three

 

            My project was to go through the process the creating, choreographing, and having that dance performed.  It started out as an idea that I had to present to a group of professors in the Dance Department.  This idea had to have some movement with it, as well as ideas for music to accompany the performers.  Once approved, I held auditions to choose the dancers I would be working with.  All this time I was thinking of different things I wanted in my dance, which helped determine the dancers from the group that would be the best at what I envisioned.

 

 

            In addition to the music and movement, I also had to help design the outfits.  After sharing my ideas with the costume crew, they created the outfits.  I also spent about 4 months in rehearsal with my dancers, fine tuning every detail.  The dance was finally performed in the spring dance concert.  I was able to watch my work, see the audiences react, and in some ways, I was happy this process was done.

 

 

 

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            The inspiration from this dance comes from the Harry Potter franchise.  I have loved reading the books and watching the movies throughout my life.  One of my favorite scenes from the movies, is where Hermione reads the story of the Deathly Hallows.  The flowing storyline and shadows were so intriguing.  I wanted to pay homage to that scene by creating a dance based on the Three Brothers and their encounters with Death.

 

 

            A challenge for me was knowing that this would be performed.  I had to overcome my own insecurities and work hard to make a good dance.  Another struggle was picking the music.  A song would sound good for a few weeks and then I wouldn’t want it to be the song I used.  I didn’t finalize the music until the week of tech rehearsals which made it harder for my dancers to get used to it.

 

 

            One of my dancers had made to many commitments throughout the semester and he told me he’d have to miss the concert days.  I had no choice but to kick him out (3 weeks before the concert) and find a new dancer, which I was able to do.  I don’t like confrontation but I really had no choice.  In order to complete my project it needed to be done.  I was glad I made that decision as soon as I did.

 

 

            In one way, my dance benefited the dancer who I had to kick out.  He now had no conflict with his other commitments.  On a serious note, the dancers who I selected were able to use their talents and perform.  My teachers were able to see me grow as a choreographer and feel more validated as teachers.  The costume crew were able to take my ideas and make wonderful costumes and display their own talents and hard work.  The tech crew were also able to show their talents and what they were learning by running lights and sound for the dance.

 

 

            This project helped me break out of my shell just a little.  I’m still not the most confident in my choreography, but having gone through this process, I feel more comfortable than I did before.  Working with my peers as the leader gave me a different voice.  As time went on, I was able to more clearly express my ideas and feelings without worrying too much about the dancers’’ response.  At the end of performances, it was nice to hear the encouraging words of friends, family, and other audiences.  That alone made me feel great about my work and helped grow my confidence.

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            “I wish I had more time to finish.  I had a few thoughts that went unexplored and so it felt just a little incomplete to me at the end.”

 

 

            “Even though I changed the music at the last minute, it felt so much better to me.  I feel the music did a good job at portraying the emotions and tensions I wanted at certain parts and so it helped tell the story I wanted it to.”