"Every Journey Begins with a Single Step"

Hello all!

My name is Scott E. Stafford, and I welcome all to join me in a"Boundless" Journey

I created this blog to document the endeavors of a group of students involved with an organization called MSU Orchesis Dance, a student organization that strives to enhance and enrich the presence of dance as an art from on campus.

Every other year, MSU Orchesis Dance produces a concert—featuring dances choreographed and performed by students. This year’s concert is titled, “Boundless – 2013 Orchesis Student Dance Concert”

A Department of Theatre initiative, “Boundless – 2013 Orchesis Student Dance Concert” provides an opportunity for students to share their honed artistic talents with the community, and celebrate the discipline and beauty of dance crafting and performance.

Myself, along with a crew of six equally crazed/driven/inspired/passionate/beautiful students, are the featured choreographers in this years' concert! All of us are dance minors here at Michigan State; which entails a regiment of classes that includes choreography, technique, movement theory, dance history, and dance studies. Together we have worked hard to develop our artistry--and I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say how truly excited we are to share our journey with you!!

With that said, meet the choreographers!

Meet: Me! (Scott E. Stafford--or Scott, for short)
Degree: Communications, specialization in public relations, minor in dance
Year: Senior (whoop whoop)

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

Choreography is a form of artistic release for me--a medium through which I can take ideas and make them into something real, tangible, and represented in the human form. After studying choreography and movement theory, I've learned the tools necessary to facilitate this process--"Boundless" provides a golden opportunity to work with dancers and expand on everything I've learned on a grander scale. My favorite thing about the whole process is the people! As a collective we form a community, sharing a common love and passion for dance. It's great to feel part of something larger than yourself.

Meet: Hayley Shannon
Degree: Communications, specialization in public relations, minor in dance
Year: Senior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

I have always had a passion for dance and performing, but have had little experience with choreographing. This opportunity allows me to get out of my comfort zone and push myself as an artist. My favorite thing about being involved with the Orchesis Student Dance Concert is the community that we have created within the cast and especially among the choreographers. The seven of us took the choreography course at MSU together, and became very close and supportive of each other's work and growth as artists. It’s also exciting to share what we have learned with younger dancers, and to work with them to create something meaningful and authentic.

Meet: Meredith Milarch
Degree: Special Education, dance minor
Year: Junior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

I wanted to take my choreography to the next level. I have enjoyed choreography for small shows and in the classes that I teach, but this is a much larger scale production. This program has offered me the chance to create a dance based on my own concept, and it’s the perfect opportunity to explore my own ideas and see them come to life. I really appreciate how much freedom I have as a choreographer—I feel free to express my ideas any way I choose. Another thing that makes Orchesis such a special organization is the people. I love getting to know everyone who is involved in the concert and gaining so many friends!

Meet: Kaity Sinke

Degree: Psychology, dance minor

Year: Senior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

I've always had a strong passion for dance and choreographing holds a special place in my heart. The opportunity to have my ideas visualized into a concrete dance is one of life's greatest gifts! Having choreographed for the dance minor program in the past, I thoroughly enjoy creating art with such wonderfully open people. It has been so amazing to witness all of those involved collaboratively produce this show.

Meet: Ricky Price

Degree: Kinesiology, dance minor

Year: Junior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

I wanted to create my own dance where I took a vision and pasted it upon other people, to see how they interpreted it. I have gotten stuck in the creative process of making the dance multiple times, but working with my dancers they help me to sort out my ideas.

Meet: Amanda Morris
Degree: Sociology/family & community Studies, dance minor
Year: Senior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

My choreography class that I took last year showed me how exciting it is to create movement. It was so thrilling to see what me and my classmates came up with, and after the class I wanted to expand even further on what I had learned. I love meeting dancers I might not have got the chance to meet, and the other choreographers I work with are a great group of people. Most of all, it's so wonderful to see your dancers grow as the journey unfolds.

Meet: Maggie Martin
Degree: Arts and Humanities, dance minor
Year: Senior

What made you want to become involved as a choreographer/What are your favorite things about being involved with "Boundless"?

I've wanted to be involved as a choreographer since I found out that that was an option, which was my freshman year. I love choreography, I love the process of creating and being collaborative with other artists. My dancers are phenomenal-- they are creative, intelligent, and willing to experiment with dance and performance techniques. That open-mindedness is really feeding my creativity, so I love that the six of us can really work together to create this piece.

You've now met all of the choreographers! Through my lens, I'll be documenting the process along the way--revealing what it takes to bring a concert to life. So, once again, I invite all to join me on this "Boundless" journey.

"Dance, Dance, otherwise we are lost"--Pina Bausch

Be sure to "like" MSU Orchesis Dance on Facebook for further updates!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MSU-Orchesis-Dance/171478566263415?ref=ts&fref=ts