As someone so intimately involved with the Chicago dance, how do you think the Chicago dance community has fared through the pandemic?
Mostly the dance community continued to do what it always does…reflect and make work. Whether on Zoom or in person. We thrive in the midst of disaster.
Dancers Continue to make themselves better by taking class, play around with movement in both traditional and non-traditional spaces, making work to satisfy themselves in the hope that it will satisfy others.
What do you think are the top priorities for achieving an anti-racist framework in the arts/cultural scene?
I think that we must work hard at filling positions with quality people of color. They must be equally skilled as their white counter parts. On the other hand, and in order to achieve this, we must train our people of color in a way that will give them equal opportunities.
How has working in theater vs. opera vs dance per se been a different experience?
Working in theater and opera, the story has been written thereby easy to follow the script. In making ballet, you generally have to imagine it yourself, which is far more challenging.
For more information on Randy Duncan’s world premiere, Love Infinite, please visite the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago website.
