DRT EQUINOX 2025 by

What has your performance journey over the last two to three years at UT and beyond looked like?

csuckle1 — 2025-01-13 22:08:22 UTC

I performed with DRT every semester starting my sophomore year minus last semester. I have been a part of one residency, Jennifer Archibalds, and two student choreographed pieces. I am now choreographing a piece alongside Presley for Spring DRT 2025. I was also a part of Anna Valdman's New Works Festival piece that was a 45 minute dance.

What goals and or obligations do you have outside of PDPR that could impact what you are realistically able to do in PDPR?

csuckle1 — 2025-01-13 22:08:38 UTC

I am going to try and work out and move my body more so I might be a lot more sore than normal but that shouldn’t affect me that much. As a choreographer I need to get as much sleep as possible to keep my mind fresh.

How do you feel after watching your audition?

csuckle1 — 2025-01-16 02:14:14 UTC

Watching everyone do Presley and I's choreography was such an amazing feeling. I have never taught a class that big with that many talented dancers in one room. It was such a rewarding feeling and I am just now more excited to get our cast and choreograph for the big stage!

What has been a delight for you in this process?

csuckle1 — 2025-02-07 14:50:50 UTC

Being able to see Presley and I's work come to life has been such a delight throughout this process. We have the most dedicated and amazingly talented cast! I truly could not be any more grateful. Although we have hit some roadblocks and have gotten stuck at some points, the joy of seeing these incredible dancers do our movement and work has been the most rewarding thing.

What have you taught yourself?

csuckle1 — 2025-02-07 14:52:25 UTC

I think the most important thing I have taught myself throughout this process is that preparation is key. Having somewhat of an idea before walking into the room is so important, especially with the time crunch we are in to get this performance going. Presley and I have met about an hour before every single rehearsal so that we could get on the same page. This has allowed us to be a lot more efficient with our time with our cast.

What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having?

csuckle1 — 2025-02-07 18:36:05 UTC

I think I have realized what I want to do in life regarding dance. Choreographing for the show and working alongside an amazing cast as affirmed by dream of wanting to become a dance teacher and choreographer. I love putting together my own work and seeing it on the stage, but more importantly, I love teaching. I want to make an impact on the dance world and I want to be a mentor to younger dancers.

What has been challenging for you in this process?

csuckle1 — 2025-02-07 18:41:55 UTC

I think the biggest challenge for me throughout this process has been when I get stuck and can't come up with any new ideas. With all of the moving parts of this piece and process I have been getting myself overwhelmed and have not taken the time to just care for myself and take a break. I have finally figured out a way that helps me stay at peace with what I am choreographing but by also playing and not just giving exact choreography and counts.

What have you contributed to the piece and to the realization of a creative community of caring, kickass artists?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-01 22:13:11 UTC

I think this entire process has made me realize how I want to contribute to the dance community in my career and in the future. I have come to realize that I want to be a mentor to younger dancers. Working with my cast this semester has brought me so much joy and it has truly made me more clear on the idea that I want to teach dance in the future. Being there for people when they are having a bad day or when they need to talk is something I have always carried with me. Being able to create a community of dancers who care for each other and themselves is something I want to instill in my teaching approach.

What have you learned from someone else in your cast and/or the choreographer/creative leaders of your project?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-01 22:13:23 UTC

Presley has been such a rock throughout this entire experience for me. Not only as my co-choreographer, but she has taught me things from this process and how she would handle situations. We always like to say this, but when we explain to people why we work so well together we like to say we are opposites. Presley is the calm and collected one and I am the one who throws things out and tries new things. This has made me realize how I can handle certain things differently but in more of a way she would handle things. For example, we had to have a serious conversation with one of our cast mates. We were able to talk it through on how to handle the situation and we were able to center each other. We work like two peas in a pod and have not once had a situation through this process where we have butted heads (in a bad way).

How have your expectations for this process been affirmed or challenged?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-01 22:13:47 UTC

I think I had pretty low expectations for this process. I was not expecting anything crazy as this is my first ever piece that is part of a big production. This process has, however, exceeded all of my expectations. Our cast is absolutely incredible. They have helped Presley and I so much throughout this process and our piece wouldn't be the same without them! All of our designers have also been such a light throughout this process and we wouldn't have been able to do it all without them. I am so excited to see this piece on the stage and to finally show it to the world!

What's next for you in this process? What do you want to continue doing or manifest anew?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-01 22:14:04 UTC

This entire process has been so rewarding. Next, I hope to continue choreographing and building a name for myself in the dance world. I have loved every minute of this process and have most enjoyed the tech rehearsal process and working with the different designers! I hope to continue working on big productions like these to work with different designers and understand more about their world.

What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-14 23:34:51 UTC

Something I have realized throughout this process is learning how to work with others who may not have the same background or experience as you. I had to learn to communicate my wants to those who may not use the same "dancer language" as me. Other than dance, I am doing the same when working at my internship, due to working in groups with others who don't have the same background or experience as me. It has been difficult but good to learn as I will need to learn to communicate with others in the future on different projects.

How have you grown?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-14 23:37:57 UTC

I now have the experience of putting a dance production from rehearsal to stage! It has been such a rewarding experience but I know have that experience under my belt and moving forward I can now put my own production together! Moving forward I also know now how to run my own rehearsal and connect with my dancers in a professional but personal way!

How have your expectations for this process been affirmed or challenged?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-14 23:39:48 UTC

The amount of compliments both Presley and I got after each show was incredible! I never expected people to react in the way they did after watching our piece, but I could have never asked for a better reaction. Some people cried even which is crazy, but so affirming! I am so proud of what I created with Presley and hope to get the opportunity to do so again.

What has been a delight for you in this process?

csuckle1 — 2025-03-14 23:41:52 UTC

Getting to know my lovely cast was definitely the highlight of this entire process. We not only had such hard working dancers a part of our process, but such kind people as well. They became so close to each other and to us and I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I hope to continue being friends with them in the future!