Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Current city: Oakland, CA
Age: 46
College and degree: California Institute of the Arts, BFA
Graduate school and degree: Mills College, MFA (age 27-30)
Website: danalawtondances.org
How you pay the bills: College Professor in Dance at Saint Mary's College of California
All of the dance hats you wear: Professor, choreographer and dancer
Non-dance work you do: Yoga teacher
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Describe your dance life in your….
20s:
In my 20s I was new to dance, having just discovered it at Santa Barbara City College at the age of 18. I spent every waking moment in classes and rehearsals, then going out dancing with my friends at night til the wee hours. It was marvelous!
30s:
In my 30s I became more serious and moved to the Bay Area to pursue my masters degree. I found an amazing community and began dancing for Janice Garrett; we performed all of the time and traveled a bit. I began teaching at Saint Mary’s College, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, and choreographing, living and breathing dance every day.
40s:
In my 40s I was a new parent and driving to rehearsals and touring was no longer sustainable. I became full-time at Saint Mary’s and eventually earned tenure --- no small feat! I am now the Artistic Director of Dana Lawton Dances, based in Oakland and we have a vibrant home season coming up in October at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley.
What’s the key to being a dancer and balancing all of the hats you wear – as dancer, teacher, choreographer, and lifelong student?
Loving it beyond belief. That’s what keeps me going, even when I am tired, broke or feeling uninspired. I appreciate the different skill sets necessary for each discipline of dancing and how they innately compliment each other as well. Also understanding the overall goal of each keeps me engaged. For example, to teach is to inspire and be creative so that students feel compelled to listen and learn. As a choreographer it is similar, but inspiration comes from a place of self-evaluation and desire to connect with my dancers and audience. As a dancer, these elements are also applicable, connection/investigation, but the work has to feed me as a human being by inquiring into who I am in the moment and how can I transcend beyond my limitations.
What’s on your plate for the rest of 2013?
I have been working for over two years with my dancers on a large project, Beyond this Moment. It will premiere at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley October 3-5. I am also collaborating with four very talented musicians, three of whom I have had the pleasure of working with on previous dance projects. This marks the first time I have self-produced an evening-length work. Rogelio Lopez is designing the costumes and sets and Linda Baumgardener is creating all of the lighting for the evening. This is a big step for me. Next summer Dana Lawton Dances has been invited to participate in a dance festival in France… very exciting stuff on the horizon!
What do you look for in a dancer?
I look for heart and the ability to find joy in moving. I also require a strong, clear communicator both physically and personally since so much of our time together is working in rehearsals.
How did you learn how to teach?
I studied Pedagogy at Mills but really I learned to teach by having some of the best teachers. Kay Fulton (SBCC) taught me about passion and commitment. Rebecca Bobele (CalArts) taught me about space and time, and Janice Garrett (Mills) taught me about clarity of intention and musicality. I love taking class from many different types of teachers, seasoned to green. I learn what works and what doesn’t when I am the student and can ask myself questions regarding sequencing, word choices, or length/amount of material given. For example I may ask myself, “What is he/she doing that makes this a successful class? Do I do that?” or “What is he/she doing that makes this class lose focus? Do I do that?”
Advice to young dancers on teaching and the role of teaching in their dance careers:
Find a mentor! Have her/him watch you teach and give honest feedback. Go watch class instead of taking; this will let you see the students' reactions when the teacher is talking/demonstrating/correcting. Lastly, my biggest pet peeve… know your music! I know it is hard to find music that supports your movement ideas; not all music comes in measures of eight or has a steady 4/4 time signature. If you’re using recorded music then listen to the whole song. Not having the right music is like serving soup on a plate; it doesn’t work and is a disservice to your students.
Photo credit: Liz Payne
What are the key skills a “modern dancer” needs in 2013?
Be open to all ideas. Try things that make you uncomfortable. Never mark unless you are injured, and ALWAYS be on time! Lots of people have beautiful technique but if they don’t have these skills, they won’t work, period.
On training and care of the body:
I think the dancer needs to move everyday, whether it’s class, yoga, Pilates, a walk. The body gets depressed when it doesn’t move. The obvious --- drink more water than you think and eat "real" food. An apple has more nutrition and energy than a Red Bull and less calories. Also sleep; that is when the body heals and regenerates.
Non-dance practices important to you include:
Being outside in nature, cooking for friends, reading that inspires and motivates me to be a better person.
What was a recent performance (or dance event) that really inspired you?
I am inspired every time I teach. Recently at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley I was moved to tears watching the dancers travel across the floor. There was such joy, adventure and community --- better than anything I have seen on stage in a long time.
Current passions and curiosities:
The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, blowing my mind with the gentleness of awakening consciousness.
Advice to young dancers in general:
Yes, you can get a real job as a dancer/choreographer/teacher… be honest about your strengths and work on your challenges. If you hate it, quit; you are taking up valuable space in the studio and in your life. If you miss it, go back, nobody cares how long you’ve been gone. They are just glad you returned. Enjoy your body, it’s the only one you get. If you love dancing and do it everyday I promise your life will unfold in a beautiful way.
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Purchase tickets to Dana's October 2013 Berkeley, CA performances here.
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