Ahh! Long time no update. I have been meaning to share a blog post for MONTHS! But if I'm being honest, it's hard sitting down and writing out what all is going on while also doing the things. So here I am!
I wanted to share my endeavors since moving to ATL! It's been a whirlwind, and moving pretty much immediately after graduation is a bold move. By luck, I had a really a great connection here via my college network and reached out! I was desperate for a point of contact to enter the dance world because I had moved out here and though opportunities were plentiful, it felt super cluttered and overwhelming in some ways! If you are considering moving where a huge dance scene is, really try to make one GOOD connection, and go from there. It's a process so be patient with yourself.
Anyways, the connection I had was to THE amazing Billy J Hawkains, who is a wonderful visionary and choreographer who went to the MFA program at the same university I attended for my BFA! I was so happy to know he was nearby upon moving here and he invited me to his rehearsals for his work imago which would be premiering at the 2023 Dance Canvas concert! I was unable to be in the work because I had very little mental headspace as well as time to commit to his work, but I was so incredibly happy to be in the studio again!
I wound up working with him on a costuming idea that we would eventually scrap because resources and time became limited, but I was still so happy to be given the space to play with spectacle and be apart of the work in my own way! Plus by the end of it, I had taken a baby rehearsal director role which was super cool! I felt really useful in the space and was happy to be able to provide constructive critiques and help the dancers problem solve because I had been in a work of Billy's before and understood the process from both sides of the coin! I am still so grateful he trusted me in that way, and it gave me some much needed experience!!!
I also met some really wonderful choreographers and dancers like Jamal White and my new gaggle of friends who performed in the work! I also got to see the performances and attend tech, which was wonderful! I helped Billy record footage from showings and get some stuff for his documentation of his creative process which I HIGHLY recommend you check out! His process is so deeply rooted in response to immersion and genuine impact and experience that creates such a raw feeling. If you couldn't tell, I am a huge fan of his work and look forward to the next time we collab! Here is his collective's instagram for those interested: https://instagram.com/the.iii.collective?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I also really appreciated Dance Canvas for doing what they're doing for people in concert dance here. Each work was pretty different and they had seemed to get alot of support in their creative process, as well as connect with each other as fellow choreographers for the concert. If you happen to move to ATL, I would consider applying for their opportunities if you can!
All in all, it was a really cool experience and I feel like I gained a ton from it. I'm hoping to keep making connections and throughlines in this big city so my work can grow as well. Cheers to continuing the journey! Thank you so much for reading this far, and I send you my best. Stay lovely!!!!!!!!
~Azaria G.
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