A while back I posted on here about an interview I participated in for a student's senior project. I happened upon this again recently and thought I would continue to post a couple of the questions since they are still very relevant today.
2. How do you think dance/teaching/performance/the Performing Arts in general serves the larger community?
I thought this was a great question. It may seem like an insignificant reason, but I think first and foremost, it gives people a reason to smile. Things are tough all around these days, and in a harried, hurried world, having those couple of hours to allow yourself to forget about life for a while, and lose yourself in something else entirely is priceless these days. The performing arts allow people to have a different life experience and/or to learn something new. It helps keep kids off the street and provides a constructive activity for them to learn and grow. It allows a safe outlet for expression, repression, emotion. The arts force us to look at our lives and experience the world in a different way. They allow our children to grow. They give us a voice when very often we may otherwise feel powerless. The arts allow us to share an experience with other human beings.
Performing Arts can tap into our inner souls and remind us that we are alive and we do have a say in our own lives. Sitting in that audience, we remember that it is ok to cry, laugh, boo, cheer, and live.
The Performing Arts give us a reason to smile.
Interview Question 1 - Advice for Entering the Arts
Deep Breath - The convergence of the 3 worlds of the theater
Live and In Living Color - Removing the touch screen and experiencing live theater
