Dancer Spotlight: Shannon Washington
Meet our amazing dancers and get to know more about them in our Dancer Spotlight Series! This month we are putting the focus on our very own Shannon Washington - Company Member, Rehearsal Assistant, and Executive Assistant.
Name: Shannon Washington
Age: 30
Hometown: Lansing, IL
Favorite Color: In general, pink or rose gold. It changes with the seasons, though, so in Fall usually maroon or burnt orange.
Favorite Style of Dance: Contemporary
Favorite Choreographer: That’s really tough, and it has definitely changed over the years. When I was younger it used to be Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman. They were my ultimate favorite and I always wanted to take class from them. Now, I love Travis Wall, Talia Favia, and Lizzie McKenzie.
When did you start dancing?: When I was 3 years old, I was in ballet and tap with my sister in the same class!
College: Pomona College in California. My major was Chemistry and I minored in Dance.
Siblings: My twin sister, Taylor!
Why do you feel passionate about dance?: My passion for dance has evolved over the years. When I was younger, I said I danced for an escape. That’s still true to this day. I’m not the most expressive person and I don’t show my emotions well, and dance is what allows me to do that. From when I was younger to now, if I was mad, frustrated, stressed - dance was it for me and how I expressed that. I also just have a love for how the body works. Looking at it logically and even scientifically. There’s so much that is happening with physics and anatomy and even with chemistry while we dance...it is so intriguing to me.
If you weren’t a dancer, what career would you choose?: I would go into physical therapy, which I am currently working towards! I have an interest in both science and dance, and I feel it comes together with physical therapy. I also feel that most PT’s don’t know much about dancers and our true athleticism and what our bodies need to recover and not hinder our performance.
If you could do a duet with one person, who would it be?: My best friend who lives in Shanghai now - Elisa Montalvo. We grew up dancing and taking class together and it would be fun to reconnect that way!
Favorite place you’ve traveled: Lima, Peru in college! It was gorgeous and I loved everything about it. I traveled with medical students at the time to serve the people there. They were so humble and appreciative of what we were doing - even if we were just talking to them and providing them with basic needs.
Favorite food: Sushi with salmon or tuna in the roll! But also CHEESE.
One word to describe yourself: Resilient
If you had a dance move that described you, what would it be?: A tour jeté
Fun Facts: I used to be a cruise ship dancer, I rewatch Friday Night Lights each year, I love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and I’m a published scientist.
We are so thankful to have Shannon on SCDT with her many hats and roles throughout the company. You’ve still got two more company members to learn more about...stay tuned and check back!
Our Emerging Artists are on the Rise!
Wow, it has been a busy past month for our Emerging Artists, and let me tell you personally...they are nothing short of amazing. We are proud to share some of their individual accomplishments with you, but first allow me to tell you what the program is all about!
Our Emerging Artists come from around the nation and join South Chicago Dance Theatre daily for company class and rehearsal. They perform with the main company and are offered the same opportunity to be cast in pieces. They, too, auditioned at the start of the 2020-2021 season and were hand-selected to join the program. Each Emerging Artist is partnered with a mentor with whom they meet with twice during the year and are encouraged to stay in contact with. Our mentors this season include Bernard Brown, Stephanie Martinez, Ethan Kirschbaum, and Kia Smith. These mentors provide the artists with guidance in the Chicago Dance Community as well as another connection to potential future companies and opportunities that may suit each individual dancer. The Emerging Artist program serves as a bridge to the professional dance community and offers continued training and performance opportunities to it's participants.
Speaking from a personal standpoint - this season's Emerging Artists are OUTSTANDING. They have the most incredible work ethic, they are professional, and they are such an important and special part of our SCDT family. On top of that, they are so involved with the Chicago dance community already and have a list of accomplishments for us to share with you!
First off, Sydney Jones (graduate of Point Park University) recently won the Inaside Choreography Competition! She receives $800 and the opportunity to set a piece on Inaside Chicago Dance!! We are so proud of the creativity and drive to choreograph and create Sydney consistently has.
Next up, we are so proud to announce that Dorianne Thomas (graduate of Webster University) accepted a contract to perform with Joel Hall Dancers. So well deserved - Dorianne is a fierce performer and owns the stage.
Morgan McDaniel (Fordham/Ailey program) also recently accepted a contract with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Morgan is gorgeous, technical, poised, and hilarious. We are proud of your huge accomplishment!!
Lastly, Hayley Midea (BFA at Western Michigan University) performed her powerful self-choreographed solo in the Trifecta Dance Collective showcase. Hayley's piece proves how dance can serve as activism and speaks out against Larry Nassar.
I'm telling you, this group is ultra-talented and we are so happy to have the privilege of working with them. We can't wait to see what's next in all of your journeys! The Emerging Artist Program produces some driven dancers that are committed to excellence in all that they do.
Have you met our Board of Directors?
Oh, you haven't? Well we are so appreciative for them and their support of our company. Allow me to introduce you from left to right, top row first!
We first have Keona Owens, a Board Member who works with Touch Gift Foundation. Next is Calvin Smith - our secretary - also with Eban Educational Services, LLC. Our next row starts with Kia Smith, our board Treasurer and Chair. Next up is Jennifer King, our Vice President who is also a founding board member! Jennifer is an Assistant Attorney General as well. Lastly, we have Ekua Davis, our Board President who works with Johnson Controls.
Our Board of Directors is an integral part of South Chicago Dance Theatre. These leaders come together to support our foundation and its mission as well as promote the SCDT in their own professional circles. Each board member brings something different to the table and allows our company to be seen and appreciated in many different ways by many different people. The board for South Chicago Dance Theatre also helps secure financial donations through the various organizations they may be a part of or know of. This allows our company to remain funded and share as much of our art as we can!
Sound like something you could potentially be interested in? Well lucky you...we are seeking applications for the Board of Directors for our 2021-2022 season! Head on over to http://www.southchicagodancetheatre.com/boardofdirectors/ to download the application. If you love SCDT and supporting the art of dance as much as I do, it'll be the perfect fit for you! Help us make Season 5 as amazing as it can possibly be!!
What is SCDT up to?
Happy March!! Spring is upon us and the beautiful weather is out (hopefully to stay)! As a company, we've completed our Black History Month show, shared it with schools in the area, and taught master classes to school-aged children. It was a whirlwind of a month. So now, you may be wondering, what are we up to moving forward?
As dancers, we never stop working. The idea of a true "break" is almost unheard of. Even in our weeks off, us dancers take open dance classes at local professional dance studios or participate in cross-training to keep our bodies active. You know what they say - a body in motion stays in motion! Yes, rest days are crucial to our recovery, but we can't seem to stay away from the dance studio for too long. Not only does our body miss it, but it truly is our therapy! Emotionally, mentally, and physically we need to keep dancing.
Starting our first week in March, we amped up our training. We took our normal company classes as well as some extra Pilates training to condition our bodies. Kia returned from her choreographic residency in Madison, Wisconsin and we got to celebrate both her and Shannon's birthday! (See the picture below for their fun gift!!!) In addition, we began the choreographic process for Kia's new evening length project that will premiere in June. 
The creative process - if you remember from a previous blog post - requires investigation, experimentation, setting choreography, setting formations, playing with different music attached to different movement, etc. At the very beginning of the process, Kia has had us working with props, working with text, incorporating our own thoughts into her choreographic ideas, and of course - testing out some new phrases of movement. I don't want to reveal too much, but know that you as an audience are in store for one of the most creative and innovative shows I have been in in awhile. Kia is going all out and it is such an exciting process to be a part of. Stay tuned and check out our social media (@southchicagodancetheatre) for more sneak peeks along the way!
We never stop moving and grooving and we can't wait to finish Season 4 with a bang. Yes, the show isn't until June, but it's the work you don't see that makes a show what it is. We are working hard now to produce a show that will WOW you later!
Dancer Spotlight: Heather Cagle
Meet our amazing dancers and get to know more about them in our Dancer Spotlight Series! This week we are meeting Heather Cagle, Company Member!
Name: Heather Cagle
Age: 23
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Style of Dance: Contemporary
Favorite Choreographer: A hard question!! I find something in each choreographer I work with or I watch, but as a young dancer I was first ever inspired by Travis Wall.
When did you start dancing?: In 6th grade, so around age 11 at Toledo School of the Arts. I didn't get to start technically training until I went to college in 2015!
College: Wright State University
Siblings: One older brother
Why do you feel passionate about dance?: Dance has always been the one thing that I've wanted to do. My grandma passed away when I was young and dance was a way to deal with that. I would go to free community classes and I'd go to the library and check out books about ballet and try to teach myself ballet while we didn't have money to pay for classes. Luckily, we found out about Toledo School of the Arts, I auditioned and THANK GOD I made it in without prior training!
If you weren't a dancer, what career would you choose?: I would want to be involved in something where I could help people, so either a physical therapist or a motivational speaker. I would also love to be an outlet for teens and youths and be someone who could help guide them and be someone they could talk to. I also would love to help the elderly.
If you could do a duet with one person, who would it be?: My 'dance mom' - Mama Shauna. She has been the most influential person to me and I hold her very close to my heart. She is a force of nature. She was the first person who really invested in me and wanted me to reach the goals that I had for myself. She's really wonderful.
Favorite place you've traveled: Italy
Favorite food: It was brownies, but I'm gluten free now so ice cream!
One word to describe yourself: ENERGETIC
If you had a dance move that described you, what would it be?: "The Carlton"
Fun Facts: I love mugs, I have way too many. Mugs give me life. I love dogs. I have a birthmark on my left arm. I met Alyson Stoner when I was younger.
We are so thankful to have Heather on SCDT. Stay tuned to learn more about our company members and what makes them who they are!!
Black History Month Series in Review
above photo credit to Michelle Reid Photography
Did you see it? Were you one of the 200+ people that tuned in to our virtual showing of the Black History Month performance? If you missed it, make sure to check up on our social media for sneak peeks of the work throughout this week! (Instagram: @southchicagodancetheatre, Facebook: South Chicago Dance Theatre).
This month was a whirlwind and the feedback we received from this show was incredible! As a dancer, I'm thankful to have the support of so many friends and family who watched the show, but to also have shared such an important message with so many is an absolutely incredible feeling.
Kia did more than a wonderful job portraying the call for brotherhood in our nation through two pieces of choreography - "I Too Sing America", which was inspired by the Langston Hughes poem, as well as "Architect of a Dream", which celebrated and included bits of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous speech. Each piece encompassed its own energy, the first being upbeat and celebratory while the latter was bold and serious and addressed the inequality in our nation we've worked for years to resolve. Kia's ability to include both moods in the same program just goes to show her virtuosity as a dancemaker. I am proud to work for her, proud to dance her choreography, and proud to be a part of such an important call to action.
If you have the chance, head on over to https://seechicagodance.com/review/south-chicago-dance-takes-worthy-risks-working-words-dr-king-langston-hughes?fbclid=IwAR37MUi-oN-s1fqgfnw3hrb2zYkvHj7W27pKD0wQruyfP8pzLa2uloDQd3k to read our review on See Chicago Dance - it beautifully lays out what a risk Kia took and how it paid off.
Dance is powerful...it has the ability to make a statement and call people to change. This show was a vivid depiction of just that. I hope you had the pleasure of viewing it.
Sending some LOVE to our Sponsors this Valentine's Season
We just couldn't do it without our sponsors, partners, and our generous donors! In order to send our appreciation and deep gratitude, we are giving each sponsor and partner a little shout-out today on the blog!! Every sponsor and each donation (no matter how big or small) helps to fund the equipment and services for our virtual performances (such as videography, lighting, editing, costuming, and rental of the space) as well as compensate our talented dancers! THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts to each sponsor - you are supporting the arts in a world that needs it more than ever.
I Am Popcorn (owners Sharon & Mike Carey)
Visit their amazing popcorn business at https://iampopcorn.com/
Lilly Grant Candles (owner Rachel M. Roberts)
Grab one of her candles at https://lilygrant.com/
Goldman Sachs Chicago
Thank you to the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League for securing this sponsorship! We appreciate it.
Allgeier Chiropractic (owner Michael Allgeier)
“Dr Allgeier uses posture, exercise, massage, and joint manipulation to treat pain without the use of added drugs, injections, or surgeries. We support the work of physical artists and the care of their bodies and are happy to support the important work of The South Chicago Dance Theatre!”
Walmart Foundation
Visit the https://walmartfoundation.org/ for more information!
DOT Foods Charitable Committee
Hop on over to https://dotfoods.com/ for more information.
Prinz Law Firm Chicago
“The Prinz Law Firm strives to be the leader in business and employment law through our ongoing commitment to our clients, each other, and our core values. We wholeheartedly believe that the best businesses and employees are those that help foster a creative, positive and productive working environment. We are honored to be a part of that process.”
To learn more about the Prinz Law Firm visit https://www.prinz-lawfirm.com!
Sway Brand
Check out all of your branding needs by visiting the website: https://www.swaybrand.com/
Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League
Chicago Chapter Young Black MBA Association
Head over to https://nbmbaa.org/nbmbaa-chicago-chapter for more information on this amazing partner!
Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation
For more information, check out https://www.soulinchicago.org/
THANK YOU doesn't even begin to express our gratitude. We appreciate your support more than you know.
-South Chicago Dance Theatre
A Virtual Performance VS. A Live Performance: Which is Better?
If you haven't heard, things have been flip-flopped, criss-crossed, upside-down, inside-out, twisted around in this past year. We, as a company, have shifted alongside the world and in efforts to keep things safe with the coronavirus procedures, we have decided to present our shows as virtual performances. It's an avenue we hadn't explored prior to our Fall show, but moving into Black History Month we are proud to present our second virtual show.
This brings up a burning question - is a virtual performance considered lesser than a live audience version of a show? There are so many things to ponder in answering this question, so today I thought I'd walk you through my thoughts on the differences and potential benefits of a pre-recorded and virtually broadcasted show. What perfect timing as we are just two weeks away from the premiere of our Black History Month Series presented virtually on February 20 at 7:00pm CST. (P.S. Now is the time to buy your tickets if you haven't already...https://scdtblackhistory.eventbrite.com/ GO NOW and then come back to finish reading my thoughts!!)
I have to start out by saying, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) can compare to the thrill of performing for a live audience. Dance is a performative art and is was made to be seen. Although we've had to adjust so much in this past year, I miss interacting with the audience and the adrenaline rush I get being in front of a crowd. We were born to entertain - theatres have been empty for almost a year now and it pulls at my heartstrings. I cannot wait for the day we get to sell out auditoriums and share our work LIVE and in person again.
This being said - live performance can stir up just about any recipe for disaster. Music, lights, staging, dancer mistakes, falls, injuries, you name it - it can happen live and it's scary. One of the benefits of taping the show prior to presenting it is making sure the run of the show is as smooth as possible. Miss an entrance or mess up spacing? Re-take that piece. Lights or music stop working suddenly? No problem, just take it from the top again. Filming ahead of time allows us to make sure we are presenting the most smoothly run show for our virtual audiences (I will say, I do thrive off of the thrill of the live and in-the-moment action and adrenaline of showtime and small mistakes, though! Makes for memorable stories!!)
One thing that remains the same between both live and virtual performances is the preparation leading up to the show - all the marketing, promotion, choreography, training, tiring rehearsals, practice, and hours of hard work are paralleled regardless of the performance platform. This past week we ran each piece twice through each day - some sections three or four times through if it needed cleaning! The week prior to our filming was no joke and we worked just as hard as if the show was in person.
It's been discussed that for audiences it just isn't the same watching dance on a screen as it is in person - which I would definitely have to agree with! What I will say, though, is that through a virtual platform, we have the opportunity to extend our reach to even more audience members. With a show that has as important of a message as we have to share, this is huge. No longer are you required to be in Chicago, Illinois on the night of February 20 to see Kia's impactful choreography. You are able to login from anywhere around the globe! And, our tickets never sell out - so you're sure to get the chance to see it unfold!! This is also big for me - I have family members all around the country as well as dear friends and mentors from my college town who get to tune in and watch since the show is online. (Shout out to my WMU fam as well as my actual fam if you're reading this - you're the BEST support system and I love you!)
Lastly, what does "show day" look like? Typically, we would arrive on site anywhere from 4-5 hours ahead of time for call time, hair and makeup, warm-up as a company, and then last minute touches before the show. After the performance we would greet our supporters and audience members and then leave and do it again the next day. Since our show is pre-recorded, we have a much longer day working with a videographer making sure he gets all of the angles and shots he needs to edit together a beautiful virtual event. We still arrive early, do hair and makeup, warm-up, and perform, we often just have to run the pieces multiple times as opposed to the one-and-done of a live show. What the most strange part for me is is watching yourself perform on the night of the show - we've never really been able to watch ourselves while performing before! It's both nice and strange - if you've ever met or been a dancer, you know that most of us are HIGHLY critical when we watch ourselves dance. The best part, though, is seeing the resounding appreciation and support of the show through social media as it premieres. I say it all the time, but we are beyond thankful for all of the support we receive! We wouldn't be a company without you as our audience.
So, who is to say which is better? It's hard to tell. I miss the adrenaline of a live performance, but I'm thankful we get to send our message out across the globe. Regardless, we are thankful we have a show to put out and the ability to dance our way through 2021!! (Now go buy your tickets!!)
SCDT Black History Month...You HAVE to see It!
If you don’t know yet, now you know. South Chicago Dance Theatre is premiering two new works in our Black History Month Series. Both are choreographed by our own founder and resident choreographer, Kia Smith. When I say this is a show you don’t want to miss, I truly mean it. Between the content, the choreography, the music and vocals, and the history and present day relevance intertwined is something that needs to be seen by all. AND - the show is virtual so there’s really no excuse not to watch!
If you haven’t already, head on over to Scdtblackhistory.eventbrite.com to snag your tickets!
Developing this show has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Over the past two months, we’ve worked on material Kia has given us, piecing together 40 full minutes of dancing to present to our eager audience. To be honest, I’ve never been a part of a show that has so quickly come together. Over the last three weeks in January, we’ve seen the show escalate from multiple ideas and phrases of movement into two flowing works of art set to a powerful score that includes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as well as Langston Hughes “I, Too, Sing America” poem.
The amount of times I’ve gotten chills in rehearsals for these pieces is crazy. For one, when I look at the talent of the dancers I get to share the space with, I get overwhelmed in itself. Then you add the deep and resounding voice of MLK on top of the soulful choreography and it’s a whole other layer of depth to the piece. Dr. King declares that “this is our hope” and that “we will never be satisfied”. Growing up, I always learned about and was taught to respect Martin Luther King Jr. and his work towards civil rights. Now, here I am at age 23, and those words hit deeper than they ever have. We need these words now more than ever. In 1963, the nation cried out and demanded for black men and white men to sit at the table together, to form brotherhood, to respect one another, and to learn from one another as equals. Here we are - well over 50 years later - far from being done with our work.
Kia’s pieces are historical, drawing from and reflecting on our nation’s history. They, too, are extremely relevant to our current times. We need this hope, we need this justice, we need this call to brotherhood now more than ever. NOW is the time. This is our HOPE. I feel both honored and called upon to share this message through dance.
See the show. Buy a ticket - I guarantee you will not regret it.
WE ARE IN DANCE MAGAZINE!
All caps because this is a VERY special announcement/post!
South Chicago Dance Theatre has a feature in the February 2021 issue of Dance Magazine! How cool!
Dance Magazine is a publication I've been subscribed to receiving in the mail since I was a preteen at a competition dance studio. I used to jump off my couch when my parents announced that it came in the mail...and now SCDT is a part of it. Dance Magazine is huge to dancers - I recall reading articles of how to improve my turns and flexibility, while also learning the top 20 dancers to look out for, information on colleges with dance majors, and interviews with professional dancers and companies. This magazine is all things dance and dancers of all ages and skill levels read it each month.
February's issue includes SCDT's feature speaking of our upcoming Black History Month performance alongside other prestigious dance companies throughout the nation. Our own Heather Cagle's photograph aligns the text that directs readers to information on our virtual performance honoring Black History month and Kia's new choreographic premieres.
Check it out, you all! For all of Dance Magazine's readers to get to see the dedication of a black founded and directed company throughout these unprecedented times is amazing. It also brings young dancers' scope to the Chicago dance scene and all there is to offer here. I am beyond proud of Kia, of our company, and of this huge step in an upward direction for South Chicago Dance Theatre!
This is only the beginning! (Oh, and p.s. check out our Black History Month Performance premiering February 20, 2021! More info and a blog about the process of the show to come!! We never stop moving around here.) Check out the image above for a sneak peek at the February issue! Thanks, Dance Magazine!!