Fall Dance Festival has once again closed its doors to another successful show. If you aren’t familiar with Fall Dance, it allows students within the School of Theatre and Dance to participate in a student-choreographed production. This event also showcases the hard work of fourth-year students as it is their Capstone Project. 

The School of Theatre and Dance had an opportunity to talk to Bella Bennett, a fourth-year BA dance major, about her choreography process and lessons learned from the show:

Please describe your choreography process. 

For my piece, I chose a specific style that depended on the story I wanted to tell. I chose my dancers based on the characters in my story. When it comes to the style, I naturally gravitate towards Contemporary, but for this piece specifically, I chose to heighten the intensity, the deeply rooted emotions. Because of that, I chose more jazz to complement the contemporary and to make sure I had more linear and structured lines, resulting in looser movement and a more technical style. But what truly guides my work is the story. 

What is your story about? 

The title of my piece is Contend, and the idea is that, as a dancer, I have been put in multiple situations where you perform your job without the opportunity for personal expression. People think with dance, you are able to display this artistic and emotional expression, and, while that can be true, there is another side of dance I wanted to express, free from family and outside sources that may hinder individuality.

How did you choreograph your story?

I wanted a way to release all the emotions I have felt as a dancer, including many frustrating moments. This piece represents structured parts of my dance journey and the harsher things I have been told, such as the expectations regarding my body and appearance. In other words, I wanted to recount the story of my journey, based on my experiences.  

Did you leave your comfort zone for any pieces you choreographed? 

I took filters off when telling my story. That was hard for me. I'm used to perfectionism, and I completely stripped that away. Even in my choreographic process with my dancers, I reminded them, "You know what, guys? It's not your fault. This is not the story I want to tell. Let's rewind and rework.” The vulnerability within this story is not something I usually discuss. It’s very intimate, using my choreography to share my private thoughts and feelings. I'm so proud and excited about the product I created. 

How will this production guide you in the future of dancing? 

Within the story that I told, I was thrown into the world of dance as a young kid when I didn't know who I was supposed to be as a dancer. The climax of my story is me figuring out who I am and deciding that I will not listen to the negativity related to others’ opinions of how I am supposed to look. I will be exactly who I want to be as a dancer and choreographer. I will conquer all the obstacles that held me back or that people told me were impossible to overcome.  I've always been anxious about being successful, but this piece has allowed me both freedom from fear and the closure that I sought. I will continue to use dance as an outlet.

Any advice for the next cohort? 

My biggest piece of advice for them is to say exactly what they want to say. Pick what you want to express early to twist, turn, and morph your piece into exactly what you want. Don't be afraid of what people will think. Tell your story and complete your process as you want to because this is your senior capstone project, the final conclusion to express what we learned as dancers here at Texas Tech University. 

Congratulations to the seniors of Texas Tech University’s Dance Program. Your hard work and diligence to your craft has paid off. We here at TTU are excited to see where your journeys lead you!