Our Spotlight sequence emerged out of the need for audiences and different artists to attach with dancers who they could not know–as a result of the artist is new to the realm, or from a unique technology or pocket of the dance scene. The Q&A format lets Seattle dance artists to introduce themselves in their very own phrases, or share the place they’re on this second in time.
Photo by Ivette Spradlin.
Name and pronoun:
Sara Caplan, she/her
When did you come to Seattle and why?
I moved to Seattle in August of 2019. I grew up on the East Coast and had been dwelling in Pittsburgh, PA with my husband whereas he was engaged on a PhD. While there was a small dance group there it felt very unique. There weren’t a whole lot of alternatives to current work and it was tough to seek out constant skilled courses or meet different dancers, so I knew we weren’t going to remain in Pittsburgh long run.
I needed to be a part of a dance scene that felt slightly extra open and community-focused, not like I used to be continuously competing with different folks for alternatives. Luckily I knew a few mates that moved to Seattle after we moved to Pittsburgh, and so they appeared to become involved and discover alternatives fairly readily. Ultimately, I needed someplace I may very well be a working artist, not only a trainer, and Seattle appeared like a spot that I might make that work, though the timing did find yourself being slightly poor, with every thing shutting down about 6 months after transferring.
What’s your function in Seattle dance?
I feel collaborator might be one of the simplest ways to explain me proper now.
I carried out in Bridge Project 2022, Full Tilt 2022, and Coriolis’s latest Wielding Forms competition. I presently dance with Karin Stevens Dance and all the processes have been very collaborative among the many artists. I educate at Rainier Dance Center and Creative Dance Center. Both studios have been a terrific place to share concepts about what and easy methods to educate younger dancers. I’m additionally a managing member of Open Flight Studio within the University District. It has been a very particular expertise being part of the historical past of the house and dealing with the opposite members to determine how to make sure it exists for the Seattle dance group.
What form of work is your favourite to make/do?
I actually love improvisation and it’s been essentially the most constant observe that I’ve saved since transferring to Seattle. I get pleasure from tasks that use improvisation, whether or not it’s a leaping off level in course of or finally ends up as part of a closing piece. I additionally actually get pleasure from lengthy processes. It means that you can dig into the fabric and get to know the folks you’re dancing with.
Tell us about your subsequent efficiency.
My subsequent efficiency will likely be within the Seattle International Dance Festival with Karin Stevens Dance in June. Karin was awarded a James Ray Residency this 12 months, so we will likely be sharing a present with one other of the recipients. This will likely be my first time being concerned with the competition!
What do you deliver to the rehearsal room?
I’m fairly detail-oriented so on the subject of specificity of motion I often choose up on that fairly shortly. I’m additionally fairly good on the subject of spatial issues; If it’s worthwhile to reverse facings or instructions, I received you. In basic, I’m prepared to strive something and speak about something in rehearsal. You want a whole lot of belief in a rehearsal course of to make the mission profitable and I’ve discovered easy methods to maintain myself open to issues to assist create that atmosphere.
Photo by Ben Viatori.
Tell us about your favourite efficiency that you just’ve seen in Seattle and why you really liked it.
I actually loved Malacarne’s that is concrete II. I like watching dance in non-theater areas or non-traditional areas. I additionally suppose it’s attention-grabbing to have the ability to expertise the house with the dancers and be capable of transfer round them and see the work from a number of views. There had been so many various locations to discover and completely different components along with the dancing that had been enjoyable to expertise (I cherished the accordion participant). There’s one thing intriguing about being in an previous place and watching the dance change into new with each repetition. I used to be unhappy I couldn’t keep for the complete 5 hours.
Recommend three issues!
Go outdoors. Seattle has so many extra parks than any metropolis I’ve lived in on the East Coast and a few of them make you’re feeling such as you’re within the woods, which I feel is simply magical. Being outdoors is the way in which I’ve been protecting my seasonal despair in verify the previous couple of years.
Become a canine particular person. In basic, folks appear rather less pleasant right here, however in case you have a canine or actually like canine, folks will discuss to you about canine. Even in case your canine is barking very loudly on the different particular person. (We have a corgi combine, he has so much to say. But folks nonetheless suppose he’s cute.)
Blotto in Capitol Hill has the very best pizza. They’re proper down the road from 12th Ave Arts subsequent time you wish to go see a Velocity present.
If folks needed to observe you and your work, what’s one of the simplest ways for them to do this?
Instagram: @s.capfree