CAST Feature

May 27, 2009

An Interview with TRDA alumna Sarah Halzack
By Whitney Fetterhoff, a junior from Greencastle, PA double majoring in Dance and English.

Originally from Suffield, Connecticut, Sarah graduated from George Washington University in 2006 with a B.A. in journalism and dance. She says this odd double major always seemed to confound her college advisers, since no one else was ever crazy enough to major in both at GW. During college, she held various media-related internship positions at National Public Radio, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Sarah also worked as a research assistant for Post reporter Laura Stepp. In addition to her work at The Post, Sarah performs with Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co., a D.C.-based contemporary dance troupe.

WF: What type of work are you currently doing in the arts community?

SH: I have been a dancer with Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co since April of 2006, a month before graduating from GW. I have performed with the company in various venues in the Washington DC area from George Mason University and Lisner Auditorium to The Kennedy Center and The Atlas Performing Arts Center. We have also done two major New York City performances and have traveled internationally to Peru, Mexico, and Egypt. I am also employed full-time by the Washington Post on the business and financial news desk and often write dance-related pieces. I generally write dance previews for the weekend section where I interview choreographers or artistic directors of dance companies, or I write dance reviews for the style section after seeing various dance performances. I have also written pieces for Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher Magazine.

WF: Going back to the basics, what fields did you study while at GW?

SH: I was a double major in Dance and Journalism as well as a Presidential Arts Scholar.

WF: Of the courses you took at GW, which did you find most beneficial?

SH: In Dance History I learned valuable information that helped me to establish a context through which to view and analyze dance performances. Gaining an understanding of the trends and development of dance from the classical and neo classical styles to modern and postmodern was invaluable to me as it gave me unique perspective on the chronology and evolution of dance forms. In this course I also learned to look at dance critically, develop and articulate opinions, and support them through writing. Taking the Trends in Performance Art course taught me to think outside of the box in regards to dance and performance. The materials presented in the class opened my eyes to some off the wall and incredibly experimental work while also requiring me to step out of my comfort zone to examine and come to appreciate this extremely cerebral work. As a dancer now working professionally, my technique classes clearly were an integral part of my college dance experience as they strengthened my skills and performance and taught me a wide range of movement vocabulary.

WF: Were you involved in anything outside of the classroom that prepared you for you career, such as student organizations or internships?

SH: I was President of Dance Performance Project and preparing SPADE was a massive undertaking where I had to oversee all aspects of the performance. In supervising all the moving parts of a performance, dancers learn that it is not only about warming-up and getting into costume, but that it is a collaborative effort between performers, designers, and backstage and front of house staff. I also spent the summer of 2005 as a Jacob’s Pillow summer intern where I was able to see dance performances six days a week. I saw performances by dance companies from all over the world which gave me a better context for reviewing art with a critical eye.

WF: Can you think of any moments or experiences in your time at GW that were especially memorable?

SH: Presenting my choreographic honors thesis was particularly memorable because I got the chance to show work that was one hundred percent my own vision. Another standout experience was dancing in a work by guest artist Jennifer Nugent, an incredible performer with the rare gift of improvising well. I remember one section of the dance that was performed entirely by partners manipulating one another by the throat. This was an amazing opportunity for me to work with an artist I really admired.

WF: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring dancers or writers who want to break into the business?

SH: In order to have a career as a dancer, you have to be incredibly persistent because jobs in the arts field are limited. Never get discouraged because it can often take several auditions to get the type of dance jobs you really want. Decide exactly what you want, the type of dance you want to do, and the type of art you want to create, because then the other pieces will often fall into place. Also, relish the connections you have with GW professors and guest artists as well as your peers and friends in the arts community because they will often help you find your way. As an aspiring writer, it is important to take on any job, even unpaid gigs, from blogs to community newspapers to get experience and build a portfolio of work in print. Also, do not be afraid to follow your instincts and interpret dance differently than others might. Trust your education and yourself and stand by what you think because art is completely open to interpretation and as long as you can defend them, your ideas can never be incorrect.