“You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back…no paintings to show on walls…, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive.”—Merce Cunningham
The Department of Dance is ‘sticking to it’ – We are dancing! And our dancers are thrilled to be taking their technique classes in person. Though we are not in our home, Mather Dance Center, we have traded mirrors for a sense of performing in a large theater with a balcony in the lovely Silver Hall at the university’s performing arts center. For some, it is their only in person class this fall.
See what some of our undergraduate majors are experiencing this semester:
Sarah, fourth year: “My favorite part about having in person technique classes is feeling the energy of my peers around me throughout class. Dancing in Maltz has been an awesome experience and provides us with so much room to move while still maintaining a safe space around others. I definitely miss dancing at Mather Dance Center, however, I am so thankful that I can at least share space with other dancers. Additionally, working on the “Sculptures” project with Gary and the other senior undergraduates has been an awesome performance opportunity given the current circumstances due to COVID.”
Luke, first year: So far, even with COVID restrictions in place, this semester has been a great experience so far! I have noticed growth in my technique, flexibility, and overall stamina, especially after such a long break from in-person studio classes. It has been such a blessing to have in-person classes in the Maltz Center given the complications of having face-to-face classes in most other majors. I’m so thankful for all of the work Karen, Gary, Dani, and the other faculty have done to ensure our ability to use the space this semester – it is such a beautiful venue which definitely makes me excited to get back to performing! My teachers this semester have been incredibly knowledgeable and conscious of each student’s different body and experience level. Classes have been engaging, challenging, and as close to normal as possible given the lack of springed Marley and other traditional classroom aspects in the Maltz. I have already felt the formative effects of this individualized program barely half a semester in, so I cannot wait for what is to come!
Jamie, third year: “I am so happy to be back dancing this semester and to be surrounded by the amazing individuals that make up the dance department here at CWRU. Because we are not able to perform this year, I love having class in the Maltz theater as it has helped me incorporate performance aspects into my personal class goals.”