Upcoming Production: Cinderella!

Dance finals are now over which means Butler Ballet dancers will be moving into the theatre in preparation for our production of Cinderella!  Performances will be held at Clowes Memorial Hall on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m.  Sigma Rho Delta is trying to promote the use of the hashtag #BUCinderella on all social media forms, so feel free to use it on any posts!  Please come support Butler Ballet and be sure to check out the pointe shoes being sold in the Clowes lobby!  Those pointe shoes were decorated by our recently initiated members as their pledge project! 

Faculty Spotlight: Susan McGuire

1. What do you look for most in a student?

Appetite for moving, curiosity, initiative, and above all, drive; he or she has to love everything about the process of becoming a dancer, including the most difficult aspects. That varies from situation to situation, so be ready!

 
2. What do wish you had known about as a young dancer that you are now aware of?

Anger and frustration towards oneself and one’s body are totally counterproductive.

3. How would you describe the technique that you teach?

It is a hybrid modern technique rooted in the family tree of Cunningham and Graham techniques and Paul Taylor’s movement style, always with reference to the most systematic technique of all and my first language, ballet.

4.What is the most memorable thing Paul Taylor said to you?

“You dance with size.” He was not referring to my stature.

5. What were your favorite and least favorite roles you performed?

Least favorite: Anything of Martha’s or Paul’s that was not a masterpiece, and fortunately there were few of those.

Most favorite: Anything that allowed me to explore and then demonstrate the very different aspects of my dancing self. It didn’t have to be a principal role, although in a company as small as Paul’s there were plenty of those.

6. What is your favorite memory from your years of teaching at Butler?

I don’t have one favorite, and there are so many that I can’t recount them. But I do have favorite moments. One is when I feel that a class of first years is finally unified and beginning to understand my work. That is always an “and away we go” moment. Another moment, and this has happened twice, is when the dancers finally own a dance. I have set two of Paul’s most challenging masterworks on the students, “Cloven Kingdom” and “Le Sacre du Printemps”, and the moment that the whole thing comes together and is ready to go on stage is one of the most thrilling I have ever experienced. I have set his work on many professional companies, including on ABT four times, and while that is terribly exciting, of course, it cannot compare to getting students to professional level in a dance made for professionals. Then there are the daily satisfactions of teaching and coaching and sharing ideas with colleagues. I am a very lucky woman.

7. During the rare instances that you have free time, what do you like to do?

 I sometimes think that I could live outdoors, and cycling and hiking are two of my favorite things to do, especially now that I have two new and pain-free hips! As for indoor activities, spending time in good conversation with  good friends, including the members of my family,  is number one, then reading, listening to music and watching movies, not necessarily in that order.

8. What is the top thing on your bucket list?

I have toured all over the world, lived in New York City, Berlin and London, but the Adirondack State Park is my favorite place in the world besides NYC, and to be paddling a canoe on Blue Mountain Lake or hiking in the mountains is first on my list. It has been many years since I have been free to do that and I crave it!

9. Guilty pleasure?

Haagen Daz, of course!

10. Animal you most identify with?

Antelope

11. Anything else you would like the students to know about you?

There’s no place I’d rather be than right where I am.

 

*Faculty spotlight provided by Kate Webb, Sophomore Dance-Arts Administration major

Faculty Spotlight: Laura Byram, Adjunct Instructor of Dance

Q: What do you look for most in a student?
A: Self-motivation, a hunger, passion, and openness to learning, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

Q: What are a few specific things you like to focus on in class?

A: Refinement of technique in order to produce optimal muscle memory, artistic development, musicality, and a wide range of movement qualities.  I also love to work on weight change. 

Q: How would describe your teaching style?
A: I use an integration of the Royal Academy of Dance, Vaganova, and Cecchetti methodologies.

Q: Do you have a go-to spot in Indianapolis (restaurant, store, theater)?

A: Keystone Arts movie theater, IRT, Clowes, and the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts.  Restaurants include:  Mediterrano Café, PF Chang's, and Ocean Prime.

Q: What is the most exciting thing you did this summer?
A: The birth of my first grandchild has been the most exciting  and awesome experience.  She fills our days with such joy and wonder.  Holding her in our arms is totally amazing!

Q: What is your favorite memory from your time as student at Butler?
A:  I would have to say one of my favorite Butler memories is sitting on stage in Clowes after a dress rehearsal for Leonard Berstein's Mass.  We were honored to have Mr. Bernstein, himself, sit with us, and critique our performance.

Q: If you were to have another career (however unlikely), what would it be?
A: I would love to be a physical therapist and work with dancers.  I love working with young people and I could use my dance background to help dancers get back to what they love to do.

Q: What's your favorite thing to listen to while you drive?
A: I love to listen to hip hop or anything current.

Q: Guilty pleasure?
A: Soaking up the sun on a beach or poolside preferably with a drink in my hand.  Some of the best beaches I have been to are Rio de Jainero and Cape Town.  I also loved lying on a roof top pool cruising down the Nile.

Q: Fictional Character you identify most with:
A: The Bionic Women.  With my titanium parts from my past surgeries, I would love to be able to do what Jaime Sommers (Lyndsay Wagner) could due in the TV show......climb and jump from tall buildings, run as fast as a train...... the ultimate in super, bionic body parts:)  Being able to dance again would be a wonderful bonus too:)

Q: Is there anything else that you would like for students to know about you?
A:  I would love for the students to know how much I love teaching and working with all of them.  They inspire me daily and rejuvenate my spirit.  Teaching is my passion and I feel extremely blessed to work with such gifted students.  It is an honor and a privilege to pass on my knowledge and expertise.

*Interview provided by Kate Webb, Sophomore Dance-Arts Administration major

Happy Initiation Day!

First of all, a big CONGRATULATIONS to our new members of Sigma Rho Delta!  We hope the very best for all of you with your future as members of SRD!  Also, a big congratulations goes out to all of our new officers for the 2014-2015 academic year!  We are putting our trust in YOU to help SRD continue in the right direction towards more involvement on campus and within the dance department!!  Also, thank you to the new members who helped with the pledge project today as well.  The pledge project this year was pointe shoe decorating for Cinderella!  The pointe shoes turned out beautifully!  Thank you!

Here are a few pictures from initiation and pointe shoe decorating today!  P.S. Our last chapter will take place this Tuesday--normal time and place!  See you there!

 Pictured above: SRD 2013-2014 Officers with Faculty Advisor and Department Chair, Larry Attaway

 Pictured above: the NEW members of Sigma Rho Delta!  Congratulations to you all!!

 Pictured above: New members of SRD decorating pointe shoes for Cinderella for this year's pledge project

Pictured above: The result of the pledge project!  Beautiful work!

 

Thank you to everyone for making this a great day for Sigma Rho Delta!!

Faculty Spotlight: Derek Reid

Q: What is the most important (or few most important) thing(s) that you learned while on sabbatical? 

A: I learned more than I could ever describe without a lengthy conversation, but as I became reconnected with the professional dance world, I realized that there is so much wonderful dance being produced and a lot of wonderful artists producing it.

 

Q: How would you describe the technique you teach?

A: Classical ballet with an emphasis on self-awareness, alignment and connecting movement.

 

Q: How did dancing for Ballet Met compare to dancing at Dance Theater of Harlem?

A: DTH was a much larger company (around 60) that toured quite a bit, but had a limited rep. I experienced BalletMet later in my career, so my need for new and innovative work was my priority. I was able to grow as an artist in both places which I realize and value more now that my career is over. In retrospect, both places were critical in fulfilling my needs as a dancer an artist.

 

Q: What do you look for most in a student?

A: Passion

 

Q: How has having a family changed your perspective on dance?

A: Having a significant partner who shares your triumphs and failures is an experience that helps us evolve as people and recognize that evolution. Raising children is complicated. You’re faced with a constant barrage of decisions that you hope won’t destroy you or your children. I mean that figuratively and literally. With a family, I have come to appreciate life and its experiences. I wish that I had been mature enough to bring that appreciation into my dancing. Of course, that comes with maturity; something that I had little of when I was in my 20’s and have increased minutely over the last decade or so.

 

Q: What is your favorite type class to teach?

A: Ballet technique

 

Q: Motto on life: 

A: Observe as you live because you don’t want to miss your opportunities for happiness and fulfillment.

Optional-Anything else you would like students to know about you:

A: Butler is a great school. I love it and love teaching here. Enjoy every moment because this is a highpoint. There will be more to be sure, but don’t take this one for granted.

*Interview provided by Kate Webb, Sophomore Dance-Arts Administration major

Faculty Spotlight: Patrick Hinson

Q: What do you look for most in a student?

A: What I admire most in a student is for them to have an open but inquisitive nature.  My teacher for the last 15 years of my performing career wanting us to be like a white wall waiting to be written upon.  AT the same time it is very important to have an inquisitive nature always searching deeper for the answer.

Q: What are a few specific things you like to focus on in class? 

A: In class I like to begin with a focus on alignment and weight placement as once these are achieved to an optimum they allow much more to be accomplished.

Q: How would describe your teaching style? 

A: I would say that my teaching style is certainly Vaganova based, yet certainly influenced by my years with New York City Ballet.  And, yet further influenced by my final coach Stanley Williams who had been trained by Vera Volkova at the Royal Danish Ballet.

Q: What is your favorite place you have lived in and why?  

A: I do have an affinity for Germany, and specifically Ulm.  It holds a special place in my heart due to the lifestyle and its location in southern Germany close to the Alps, France and Austria.

 

 

Q: Favorite thing you did this summer? 

A: The only thing I actually did this summer was to work in India, although I am not sure that it would classify that as one of my favorite things.

 

 

Q: If you were to have another career (however unlikely), what would it be? 

A: It would have to be architecture, which was my love as a child.

 

Q: Favorite music to dance to (not-ballet)? 

A: Salsa

 

*Interview provided by Kate Webb, Sophomore Dance-Arts Administration Major

A Junior's Perspective: Annie Mushrush, Dance Pedagogy Major

Hello Everyone!

My name is Annie Mushrush and I am a junior Dance Pedagogy major at Butler University from St. Charles, IL, a western suburb of Chicago.  I am also the Secretary for Sigma Rho Delta.

I want to second what Taylor, Robyn and Erica had to say about Butler Ballet and add my own unique perspective as well. If you haven’t read their posts please scroll down and read those too!

I feel fortunate to be a dance major at Butler.  Not only is the university a wonderful place to grow as a student, the dance department is a wonderful place to grow as an artist.  I knew from the moment that I first stepped on campus for my audition that Butler was the place for me. Unfortunately, I was not accepted into the dance department upon my audition during my senior year of high school. I knew Butler was the place for me and I strived to fulfill my dream of dancing at Butler, no matter what it took.

I went to another university for my freshman year of college, knowing that I would audition again in the fall in the hopes of transferring to Butler for my sophomore year. I auditioned again in October and was admitted. I spent my freshman year working hard on my technique and artistry as well as scheduling my courses in alignment with the Dance Pedagogy curriculum to ensure as smooth of a transfer as possible.

Although there are only a handful of transfer students in the dance department, my transition could not have been smoother. Despite my careful planning, I was still behind and had to take some freshman year level courses my sophomore year to catch up. These courses were ones that were unique to Butler’s dance department, including Masterworks of Dance, Professional Practices and Body Placement.  In the beginning, I was in more classes with the incoming freshman class than I was with my own sophomore class, including technique classes (ballet, modern and jazz). This provided me with some wonderful friendships with dancers I might have not had otherwise!

Currently I am still playing catch up with in some sophomore level courses, but I am on track to graduate with my class in 2015. My schedule is very unique because of my situation, and therefore it would not be to prospective student’s benefit to see mine listed out as other blog posts have. 

I really want to make the point that it is possible to be a transfer dance major at Butler. If you feel like Butler is really the place for you and you were not admitted, know that transfer is an option, not an stress-free option, but it is possible. Careful planning and hard work made my transfer possible.

Having experienced another dance department at another university I know from personal experience how special the dance department at Butler truly is. I am so grateful for the opportunities we are afforded in Butler Ballet. The faculty is full of insightful information to help us develop as dancers. The performance opportunities we have as members of Butler Ballet is unparalleled.

Outside of dance I am also in the University Honors Program and am in the process of writing my senior thesis. My thesis is focused on the assessment and addressing of hyperextended knees in early dance education and its benefits. I am working closely with our faculty during my research. I am also a member of the Dawg Pound, the student cheering section for all Butler Athletics. I especially love going to the Men’s Basketball games! I try to go to as many games as I can (provided that I do not have rehearsal at the same time!) The games are so much fun in the Dawg Pound and we have special ‘choreography’ for each situation in the game and our fight song! I also work as a Desk Assistant at Apartment Village and University Terrace on the weekends where I sort mail, give out packages, rent out an extensive collection of DVDs etc. Although a dance major’s schedule may seem dauntingly busy, most of us find the time to be involved in other things and/or employed.

I encourage you to comment if you have any questions and happy dancing!

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Hello blog readers! 

Looking for more information on Sigma Rho Delta or Butler Ballet?  Check out our Instagram and Twitter accounts for more information and updates!!

Instagram: sigmarhodeltabu
Twitter: @ButlerSRD

Find pictures and updates of SRD and Butler Ballet!!  Be sure to spread the news to anyone who might be interested in our updates!  And again, please don't hesitate to comment on our blog posts, Instagram photos, or tweets (especially prospective dance majors!)  We want to help ease your decision-making process!

Thanks for keeping up with our posts and be sure to ask any questions that you may have!

~Sigma Rho Delta

A Sophomore's Perspective: Life in Butler Ballet

Hello all! My name is Robyn Jutsum. I am a sophomore dance major from Minneapolis, MN as well as the philanthropy chair for Sigma Rho Delta here at Butler. I am on the performance track, working towards my B.F.A.

One aspect of Butler Ballet that I absolutely love is the professional and motivational working atmosphere among the dancers and faculty. The department treats the dancers with expectations that parallel that of a professional company, but we have the opportunity to receive the benefits of a liberal arts education. Not only does this opportunity provide us with a college degree, but I think it also speaks to the intelligence and drive of Butler Ballet. By nature of our profession, dancers are dedicated, highly disciplined individuals, and that comes across in our academic endeavors in addition to our time in the studio. Another part of Butler Ballet is the diversity of training we receive. Our professors all have amazing backgrounds and different approaches to training that help develop versatility, artistry, and strength. Additionally, we have some wonderful resources on campus such as the HRC (health and recreation complex) and performances venues including Clowes Memorial Hall and the Schrott.

I am also in the University Honors Program and a member of Alpha Chi Omega-Alpha Chi chapter. Being a part of the honors program has been great for the resources and small size, discussion-based courses offered.  It also helps advance the registration process. Last semester, I took a course that studied prominent female leads in award-winning films. This semester, I am taking a course all about Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.

Being a part of Greek life on Butler’s campus has been an experience that has been really beneficial to me as well. I never thought being in a sorority would be something I would want or should participate in, given my professional aspirations. However, living in a sorority has offered a support system outside of the dance department. Living far from home, it is nice to have my dancer family and my sorority family as well as a place to look forward to going home to at the end of the day. I have found that it is absolutely possible to balance my academic/rehearsal schedule and focus on dance with the obligations of being in a sorority. I encourage anyone interested in Greek life to give it a try, but of course, it is not for everyone, and I never felt pressure either to join or remain an independent.

To give you an idea of a typical day as a sophomore:

Monday

8am-8:50am Voice

9am-9:50am Global and Historical Studies

10am-10:50am Jazz

11am-11:50am Character or African

12pm-2pm Lunch break/study time

2pm-3:30pm Ballet Technique

3:40pm-4:40pm Pas de Deux

4:45pm-5:30pm Rehearsal

6pm-8:30pm Acting for Dancers

Tuesday

8am-8:50am Music for Dancers

9am-10:30am Modern

11am-12:15pm Electronic journalism

12:15pm-1pm Lunch break

1pm-2:30pm Ballet technique

2:40pm-3:40pm Pointe

3:45pm-6pm Rehearsal

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below, and I will do my best to answer them:)

 

A Student's Perspective: Erica Johnston, Performance Major

      Hello readers!  My name is Erica Johnston, and I am currently a senior Dance Performance major here at Butler University.  My time in this school has been full of artistic experimentation and technical growth.  When I came to Butler, I had previously trained only in ballet and Slavic character dance; I'd never taken modern or jazz before, and had never even tried to choreograph.  Freshman year, my days were filled with many dance classes, including ballet (M-F), modern and jazz twice a week, pointe twice a week, and rehearsals for Butler Ballet productions (such as Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty) four days per week.  I also took Body Placement, a class that involved aspects of yoga, pilates, and anatomy, two days per week, and introductory music classes in both music history and piano.  Butler's program focuses on giving its dancers a well-rounded artistic foundation, especially in the first year; it's a taster for dancing and also for the other elements of the performing experience, including things like lighting and sound operation (learned in Professional Practices) and even the opportunity to learn sewing skills in the Dance Costuming elective class.  Costuming is something that has always really interested me and I was happy to be able to help create and maintain many costumes for the ballet here!
     In addition to all of this dancing, I also took a few of the general "Core Curriculum" classes (certain subjects, like global studies or sciences) that we have to take over the course of our time here.  Because I am a performance major, there were some Fine Arts classes I was exempt from, and the AP credits I came in with from high school took care of a few more (a writing course, and a math class).  My days in that first year generally ran from 8 or 9 AM until around 5, though I got a lunch break every day and also had a few shorter breaks between other classes throughout the day.  I always kept homework with me to do during those breaks and as a result I had a lot of spare time in the evenings to spend with new friends or go to the gym (called the "HRC" for Health and Recreation Complex).  The HRC is great- lots of different equipment, a track, a pool for lap swimming, and a hot tub and sauna for heating tired muscles at the end of the day.  They also offer group fitness classes like Yoga and Zumba for all full-time students, as well as things like health and counseling services in the same facility. 
    On top of all of the dancing I did during school hours, I was also involved as a dancer in the Senior Showcase and the Student Showcase; both of these productions were run and choreographed by current students.  Rehearsals occurred after normal hours and were a great introduction for me to new styles of movement.  They also gave me more performing opportunities!  The student showcase was performed around Halloween and the Senior Production was an ongoing process throughout the school year, with the final performances in March.  I also participated in these shows in later years, though for the most part the senior showing involves freshmen dancers.  It was a great way to get to know the older students a little better, too. 
   Over the course of the year, in the big ballets (Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty) I performed as a Party Mother and a Court Member- pretty standard stuff- but in Midwinter Dance Festival, our mixed repertory show, I had the opportunity to dance as a soloist in a modern piece by Susan McGuire, the modern professor here.  It was a great featured opportunity, and proof that the role you get in one show doesn't dictate the type of role you will get in the next!  My time here has also consisted of collaborations with artists in other fields, including composers, graphic designers, film editors, and musicians, both for classes and for independent projects.
   I've tried to take advantage of every opportunity I've been given, and also server as Treasurer of Sigma Rho Delta my Sophomore year, and the following year as President.  SRD has been a great way to get involved with the surrounding community (performing and working with kids at local arts centers, libraries, and the Salvation Army) as well as serve the Department of Dance (cleaning the studios, helping host a Faculty Appreciation week, and doing service hours in the costume shop to name a few).  It has also been a way to connect with older and younger classes of students, which is sometimes difficult since we are not usually in classes together during the day.  Butler overall gave me a wide scope of artistic experiences and introduced me to some of the greatest friends I've ever had.  Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section and I'll answer as best as I can!

A typical day for a Sophomore Dance-Arts Administration Major

Hello blog readers!  My name is Taylor Fengya, and I am currently a sophomore Dance-Arts Administration major here at Butler!  I am a member of Sigma Rho Delta and currently serve as this year's media editor!  First off, I wanted to give you a little insight into my daily schedule as a sophomore dance-arts administration major...


Monday:
9:00-9:50 Laban Movement Analysis with Professor Pratt
10:00-10:50 Global and Historical Studies: Revolutionary Europe and Colonial Nigeria with Dr. Porter
11:00-11:50 World Dance with Ronne Stone
12:20-1:50 Ballet Technique 3 (professors change daily)
2:25-3:40 Microeconomics with Josh Owens
4:45-5:30 Possible Butler Ballet rehearsals


Tuesday:
9:00-10:30 Modern Technique 2 with Susan McGuire
11:00-12:15 Principles of Strategic Communications with Professor Rademacher
1:00-2:30 Ballet Technique
2:40-3:40 Pointe 2 (either with Professor Byram or Professor Ruffo)
3:45-6:00 Possible Butler Ballet rehearsals


Wednesday:
9:00-9:50 Laban Movement Analysis with Professor Pratt
10:00-10:50 Global and Historical Studies: Revolutionary Europe and Colonial Nigeria with Dr. Porter
12:20-1:50 Ballet Technique
2:25-3:40 Microeconomics with Josh Owens
3:40-4:40 Pas 2 with Professor Cholewa


Thursday:
9:00-10:30 Modern Technique 2 with Susan McGuire
11:00-12:15 Principles of Strategic Communications with Professor Rademacher
1:00-2:30 Ballet Technique
2:40-3:40 Pointe 2 (either with Professor Byram or Professor Ruffo)
3:45-6:00 Possible Butler Ballet rehearsals


Friday:
9:00-9:50 Laban Movement Analysis with Professor Pratt
10:00-10:50 Global and Historical Studies: Revolutionary Europe and Colonial Nigeria with Dr. Porter
11:00-11:50 World Dance with Ronne Stone
12:20-1:50 Ballet Technique


Saturday:
Time for Butler Ballet rehearsals.  You can have rehearsals anywhere from 8-5.  Rehearsals change from week to week.


Now, a little bit more about the department...The faculty here each has his or her own prestigious background and knowledge in their forms, which brings a uniqueness to this department.  Each class you take with each professor will give you so much insight into so many different forms of dance.  It is great to learn the different perspectives of this art form.  I also think it is a very diverse program and offers so many different classes like jazz, African, contemporary pas, modern, body placement, etc.  The emphasis is on ballet, but with it you can get training in other forms as well.  Personally, I consider myself more of a "modern" dancer and my goal is to get a job with a modern/contemporary dance company.  However, I chose Butler because I knew that the foundation for all of dance is ballet.  I still get to take modern class twice a week and next year as a junior, three times a week.  I think the ballet emphasis is very important for any type of dancer. 


Please do not hesitate to comment on this post to ask me any personal questions that you might have!  :) 


~Taylor Fengya

Welcome to the Sigma Rho Delta blog of Butler University!

Sigma Rho Delta would like to take the time to welcome you to our blog!  We are the honorary dance fraternity of Butler University!

Our mission:

• To promote a sense of community within the department as well as to strengthen the relationship between students and faculty.
• To promote interest in dance both on campus and in the community.
• To offer service to the department, university and community.
• To further dance education by bringing in guest teachers, choreographers and speakers for workshops, seminars and lectures as well as to utilize the many talents of our own faculty.
• To keep dancers informed of current cultural events and programs.

As Sigma Rho Delta members, we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with current dance students' perspectives of our daily lives as Butler dance students!  We encourage you to comment on these posts with any questions and/or concerns you might have about the department, Sigma Rho Delta, campus life, or any other Butler questions!  We are especially targeting prospective dance students!  We all have been in your shoes and know what it is like when making a decision whether to attend Butler or another school, etc.  Please, please, please, do not hesitate to pick our brains!  We are here to help you make your decision!

Once again, welcome to the Sigma Rho Delta blog!

We need your ideas!

The new goal for this blog is to make it public for anyone to see/comment!  We want to make it available for future Butler Ballet dancers to ask questions, see a typical schedule, and to just get to know the Dance Department a bit more!  We are hoping to be able to add this link to the Dance Department's website under the SRD tab.  If you have any other ideas as to how this blog can be used more efficiently, bring your ideas to the next meeting or shoot the gmail an email with ideas!  

Try to think about what it was like when your were a prospective Butler student and what questions you might have wanted to ask a current Butler Ballet member.  Send those ideas along so we can make this blog a useful tool to prospective students!  Thanks and see you all this Tuesday (1/21) at the meeting at 8pm in LH133!