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Landing a commercial dance gig in film, stage, music tours or television takes more than a little luck, a lot of talent and a ton of practice. According to Emmy Award-winning choreographer and Utah commercial dance guru Bonnie Story, success also takes "experience and maturity."
The professional dance world can derail even the most optimistic of students right out of high school. College programs aren't designed around jazz, hip-hop freestyling or krumping, and commercial dance doesn't have the structure of a ballet company. So how does a young hopeful get professional experience before leaving for the bright lights of Los Angeles or New York?
"I created 'Expansions' to expose students who are serious about pursuing a career in this genre of dance to all the options," Story explained. "The upcoming performance is concert-style, contemporary choreography, which gives the dancers a taste of dance company work."
Earlier this year, Story took the group to a showcase audition for some well-known agents and producers in Los Angeles. "We also did a commercial shoot for Miche Bags, auditions for Cirque de Soleil and a few other projects," Story said. "This is the real deal, with all the ups and downs." For example, Story explained four of the dancers got the Miche Bag job while two of their colleagues did not.
Story is professionally well-connected thanks to her background, which ranges from studying ballet at Juilliard to dancing in Michael Jackson videos and winning an Emmy for her choreography with Kenny Ortega on the "High School Musical" movies. "I'm very interested in training students to know how to be on a [film] set and how to prepare for an audition," Story said. "But even more important, I teach them to use their extensive technical training to find the artistry in the movement."
Story's commitment to artistic integrity is one reason her studio at Draper's Treehouse Athletic Club doesn't participate in dance competitions, where students memorize and perform a routine for judges to win trophies. But you won't catch her criticizing studios that do.
Instead, Story produces several showcases performances at Treehouse each year to give her students performance experience. The "Expansions" concert is the culmination of a year's worth of rehearsal, and the program will emphasize accessible but artistic choreography.
"In a little less than two hours you'll see 10 choreographers who've created work for 'Expansions,' " Story said.
Story aimed to present a program that's inclusive and fun, featuring dancers ranging from Ro Malaga's hip-hop group, NOIZE, to Ballet West Academy dancers. Dancers from Orem's Center Stage Dance Studio will perform a ballroom piece, while several Odyssey Dance Theatre dancers will perform solos.
The most famous of the 10 choreographers on the program is Liz Imperio, who has staged and choreographed shows for Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and Madonna. Imperio praises Story for "thinking outside the box" and "bringing a bold, creative and fearless vision" to her work.
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Dance this way
Emmy-winning Utah choreographer Bonnie Story and Treehouse Athletic Club present emerging dancers in "Expansions."
When • Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m.
Where • Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center's Jeanné Wagner Theatre, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $8; at http://www.arttix.org or 801-355-ARTS