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Alumni from Dance

Dance Alumni

Dance alumni have traveled many paths since graduation. From Broadway to Bombay, our graduates enter all walks of life. Here, many take this opportunity to reflect on the lasting value of their Dickinson College education.

Vicki Manuel '95
Dance Theatre Group was one of the first activites I joined when I came to Dickinson. I made wonderful friends and shared my freshman year with Professor Amy Ginsburg, also in her first year at Dickinson. We became accustomed to Dickinson together, in a manner of speaking.
I auditioned for a guest artist piece, Ze'eva Cohen's "Flight," and to my surprise I was accepted. I danced most of my life, from a very young age, to help strengthen the muscles in my hips for a walking problem. But I was never "serious" about dancing. Although I enjoyed dance, it was just a fun outlet for me. College dance, on the other hand, seemed "serious" to me. I was thrilled to be a part of this special program (DTG), learn a professional's piece, and make a niche for myself. Since that point in my Freshman year (Fall 1991), I became increasingly involved in the group by dancing in several pieces and performances, choreographing, being a member on the board, and serving as Secretary and Vice President of DTG.
I do not think DTG influenced my career decision directly, but I do use some of the concepts I learned from DTG and dance classes daily in my career. I am an account manager/copywriter at an advertising agency. In my line of business, it's beneficial to have a creative vision/mind. Many times I have to decide on visual elements for copy I've written. Everything should work together and balance effortlessly, just as in a dance piece, a painting and a theatre production.
Since all theatre and dance classes are set in a small setting, students receive special attention. These small classes foster a closeness and interaction among students and professors. This kind of interaction creates a rich, fertile atmosphere for growth and creation of ideas that probably otherwise wouldn't come from an individual alone. I have to say, individual attention is the most attractive benefit. Let's not overlook the Dramatic Arts Department, however, in terms of the set of professionals who make up the department. Each professor contributes his or her expertise and willingly shares his or her craft with each student. They are eager to do so, and that's what matters. They want each student to benefit from the arts, whether it will lead to a future career or just plain knowledge and awareness.

 

Amy Filbin '96

 

 

 

Although I was not a dance major (I decided to major in economics and get my pre-med certificate), I was able to become very involved with Dance at Dickinson. Every year I was lucky enough to work with one or more guest choreographers, one of whom changed my life. During my first three years at Dickinson I was struggling with the idea of becoming a professional dancer, but I could never seem to commit to the idea. I realized that I did indeed want to dance my Fall Semester senior year while working with a wonderful choreographer from New York City. Between her and Amy Ginsburg, I received the encouragement that I needed to take the plunge, and now I am living and dancing in New York City and having the time of my life."

 

I will definitely not forget the friends I made through my theatre/dance experiences.  At production time, I felt that I was a part of something I could feel proud of--that all the hard work had paid off.  And of course, it was incredibly fun.  I think Dickinson is great because it allows you to dabble or immerse yourself in just about any aspect of theatre/dance that you choose. With enough initiative, students can also challenge their own creativity by putting on their own shows or devising projects related to the technical or production aspects of the performing arts. Though the department is small, I think it provides some exceptional opportunities to the students. The department makes it possible to see all kinds of quality, professional performances for a very affordable price. In my own experience, I was particularly excited about the opportunity to attend several of the American College Dance Festivals and the chance to travel to Berlin to help with our production of The Baltimore Waltz."

 

Brigitte (Hammer) Shepherd
"The friendship and close bonds of cast members is what I remember most about DTG. Also, I can never forget moving from that old, scary loft on W. Louther to the brand new studio in the HUB, burning a hole in a ballet costume 5 minutes before a show (with me being the costume mistress), and rehearsing in a studio in Carlisle (what a walk in the winter!). This shows you the increased interest in dance at Dickinson, and the College's willingness to embrace it.
I am a high school history teacher now at Archbishop Spalding in Maryland. Besides European History, I teach dance everyday as a credit course. 15 girls take my class (39 registered) to learn introductory ballet (my true love), jazz, modern and Irish step dance. I also continue to dance outside of work, taking class at Maryland Youth Ballet. This summer I took Adult Class five days a week (a benefit of teaching!). It was a wonderful experience which I plan to repeat next summer session. During the year, I take two classes weekly and attend performances at the Kennedy Center and regionally, dance is certainly a part of my life still.
Dickinson provides key roles/opportunities which you will not find at larger institutions. In addition, the College seems willing to embrace the increased interest in the performing arts. Many of my friends in the Mermaid Players and DTG went on to pursue masters in the arts or are incorp

 

Today, when I think about Dance Theatre Group, what I remember most are all the opportunities to work with professionals in the dance field. My favorite time with DTG was the American Dance Festival in Kentucky when we danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company... what an amazing experience! I also loved dancing with Jose Greco's company which required that we as dancers be able to play the castanets... quite a struggle, but a fun one. There was another group, too, that we danced with which was great: The music came from some sort of xylophone and from us clapping, stomping, etc... the rhythm was strange and changed throughout the piece. It was really rewarding to go through the entire composing, working, and performing process of this piece. We also had a lot of fun with Amy's bee piece.

I know that having a group of dancers to dance with and hang out with definitely enriched my experience at Dickinson... it gave us all a chance to escape from the work and relax because we could re-think and create and play whenever we entered the dance studio... there was lots of energy inside the theater and studio compared to outside. It was also a way to further explore some of the ideas presented to us in other courses, so it gave us a chance to re-compose our own lives.

My DTG experience has not influenced my career choices directly... (I am currently in a Masters program at Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies) ...but it has had a great impact on me and my life. The experience has made me more confident in whatever I do and always makes me appreciate and seek out art and culture and helps me to approach things in a creative way.

If a student asked about the chance to come to Dickinson to work in the performing arts, I would say that the Dramatic Arts program offers extensive and excellent opportunities for performing, creating, and working with different types of people (both professional and students). The program provides you with any opportunity you want, if you make it happen, and you can find much support and energy for new ideas.

Hear what some of our students have to say about the Dance program:

Leyla Mahbod '97
The dance department at Dickinson is small enough to become a little family and large enough to allow the student to meet new students in a comfortable and creative atmosphere. The student is inspired and encouraged to create new ideas, movements, and expressions. At the same time, the student is exposed to other dancers with unique training and imaginations. The result is inspiring and uplifting rehearsals and performances.



Alan Oram '97
Well, it all began when I entered the arena for registration for classes the second half of freshmen year. At this point in my life all that mattered was getting my time on the field with the dickinson college red devils, I was a football jock. I, not knowing any better, let charismatic professors pick some of my classes for me. First I was approached by Keith Brower of the foreign language dept. he sold me on taking Portuguese, to fulfill my language requirement, with the line, "It's a lot like Spanish, but you get to watch dirty movies in class." Needless to say I liked those three semesters very much. At the same time as my quest to sexual gratification through academics, I stumbled into the realm of modern dance.
In the arena of academia I was approached by a slender built, brown eyed girl, with a smile that would brighten anyones day. Being the meat head that I was I thought that I might get a date out of the encounter. Little did I know that this little girl was a Prof. in the dramatic arts dept., she apparently knew the ancient chinese secret or something. She originally proposed that my friend Gary, played OT at the time, and I sign up for modern dance as a 0.5 credit class. At first we thought that this was an accident wating to happen, if you catch my meaning. It took a suggestion about the security we had in out manhood to change our minds, we both took the course Modern I.
Needless to say, though I have completed portuguese and Gary has long since transfered to South Carolina, I still dance and take modern dance classes. I take them because they allow me to really get a since of who I am and how I can express myself through a medium other than words. It's a great workout and increased my flexibility and agility for sports immensely. I also learned about the history of modern dance and about those who carry on the tradition today.
The dance program at Dickinson is at the size now that you can do anything you want with it. The true key to the program is to experience it for yourself. College is the only time in some of out lives, that we can experence something like dance, mainly because it's not ( in my opinion) a practical way to make a living. Dancers are deticated to their art, they put their heart and soul on display for an audience of community, not for cash.
Well, before I talk your ear off I will conclude with my now graduating Dickinson College with a BS in Biology and a minor in Dramatic Arts. I went from jock to army officer, I went from taking modern dance as a class to seeing modern dance as an important facet of my self development. I'm not saying run out and sign up for modern dance of anything, I'm just saying if the opportunity presents itself, don't be afraid to try it. I thank you for your time and my dance teachers for a terrific experience.

Hear what some of our students have to say about the Dance program:

Leyla Mahbod '97
The dance department at Dickinson is small enough to become a little family and large enough to allow the student to meet new students in a comfortable and creative atmosphere. The student is inspired and encouraged to create new ideas, movements, and expressions. At the same time, the student is exposed to other dancers with unique training and imaginations. The result is inspiring and uplifting rehearsals and performances.



Alan Oram '97
Well, it all began when I entered the arena for registration for classes the second half of freshmen year. At this point in my life all that mattered was getting my time on the field with the dickinson college red devils, I was a football jock. I, not knowing any better, let charismatic professors pick some of my classes for me. First I was approached by Keith Brower of the foreign language dept. he sold me on taking Portuguese, to fulfill my language requirement, with the line, "It's a lot like Spanish, but you get to watch dirty movies in class." Needless to say I liked those three semesters very much. At the same time as my quest to sexual gratification through academics, I stumbled into the realm of modern dance.
In the arena of academia I was approached by a slender built, brown eyed girl, with a smile that would brighten anyones day. Being the meat head that I was I thought that I might get a date out of the encounter. Little did I know that this little girl was a Prof. in the dramatic arts dept., she apparently knew the ancient chinese secret or something. She originally proposed that my friend Gary, played OT at the time, and I sign up for modern dance as a 0.5 credit class. At first we thought that this was an accident wating to happen, if you catch my meaning. It took a suggestion about the security we had in out manhood to change our minds, we both took the course Modern I.
Needless to say, though I have completed portuguese and Gary has long since transfered to South Carolina, I still dance and take modern dance classes. I take them because they allow me to really get a since of who I am and how I can express myself through a medium other than words. It's a great workout and increased my flexibility and agility for sports immensely. I also learned about the history of modern dance and about those who carry on the tradition today.
The dance program at Dickinson is at the size now that you can do anything you want with it. The true key to the program is to experience it for yourself. College is the only time in some of out lives, that we can experence something like dance, mainly because it's not ( in my opinion) a practical way to make a living. Dancers are deticated to their art, they put their heart and soul on display for an audience of community, not for cash.
Well, before I talk your ear off I will conclude with my now graduating Dickinson College with a BS in Biology and a minor in Dramatic Arts. I went from jock to army officer, I went from taking modern dance as a class to seeing modern dance as an important facet of my self development. I'm not saying run out and sign up for modern dance of anything, I'm just saying if the opportunity presents itself, don't be afraid to try it. I thank you for your time and my dance teachers for a terrific experience.