Director Keely Song and the company of contemporary dancers rise above the challenges facing the performing arts
When the show began, the lights dimmed and the teleprompter glowed — all standard pre-performance procedures. However, there was something that was less standard: an empty auditorium.
Production staff and directors filled front-rows, but the rest of the chairs were vacant.
Dancers portray a wide range of emotions on stage, ranging from ecstatic to heartbroken and everything in between. However, no one could predict how emotionally resilient dancers would have to be until the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020- 21.
A little bit of freedom has been taken from the performance world; with new restrictions comes new challenges. Now the Contemporary Dance Theatre is showing their audience exactly what it looks like to take on those obstacles headfirst. In the name of performing, nothing gets past this company.
Dance major Caler Tregeagle said that it was a learning curve for him to manage his stamina to dance with a mask on. “It was a lot at the beginning of the school year to adjust to wearing a mask while dancing, but I don’t notice it anymore.”
The CDT follows guidelines from the CDC, Utah County and BYU. The team tries working in 15-minute increments if they are touching. Dancers are required to use the Healthy Together app, as well as get their temperatures taken at every rehearsal. The company has gone as far as to split up into two groups of 10 to avoid crossover and generate a safer space for everyone.
Director Keely Song said that they have had to learn dances via Zoom sometimes with no-touch choreography. “We took out pieces that we felt we couldn't learn or perform, or that didn't allow the distance or time constraints.”
Even with new restrictions and guidelines, Song hasn’t lost sight of how these challenges benefit her and her dancers. “As a contemporary dance form, we often live in the realm of exploration, innovation and uncertainty. This makes improvisation and pivoting all the more essential in the dance studio and daily living.”
“I think the pandemic has changed how we approach art in a lot of ways,” said Audrey Allen, a CDT dancer. “We’ve been able to make it more accessible to people who are wanting to watch us. That has been such an amazing opportunity that has come out of COVID.”
In the midst of everything that the Contemporary Dance Theatre has had to combat, they, along with others in the Dance Department are rising above the opposition and moving forward. They may not be able to perform in front of live audiences for the time being, but they can perform for the world that is watching.
This presentation was the kick-off event for Dance Live. To see the full Dance Live schedule, please visit the BYU Dance Live Streaming website.