Suite Space: Three Emerging Choreographers at the Sugar Space Arts Warehouse
Art
SLUG: What are a few of your biggest triumphs?
Kougioulis: Dance has given me dozens of opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced had I not been given the pleasure of dedicating my life to this art. I’ve travelled all over Europe (at a young age) because of dance in academia. I’ve been given a community where I can express myself as an artist and where I can create a family of creatives and some of the most raw/beautiful people in the world. I guess you can say that dance in general is my biggest triumph!
Van Portfleet: I think my greatest triumphs have been found through my persistence. I have had multiple major injuries over the years, and this year dealt with the long recovery of my hamstrings. At Sonoma State, I was lucky to learn that I could have a life in dance no matter what happened. I found this out when, despite being on crutches for a hip-fix, I created my first dance on an ensemble of 13 dancers. My performance career isn’t over, but this last injury has taught me that I have to listen to my body more and make self-care a priority if I’m going to keep dancing the way that I want to be.
SLUG: Each of the works you will premiere fit into your respective theses and research. What do your theses investigate?
Draper: Although my thesis work is in the beginning stages and could possibly shift from where it is now, I am looking at hierarchy within the rehearsal space and how choreographers can step away from being the authoritative figure when setting work. I was testing out some new approaches through the making of this piece that go along with my research and plan on continuing my research throughout the next two years.
Kougioulis: Currently, my thesis research is in its infancy stages. I’m interested in researching autobiography in performing and choreography as a means of healing old truths in myself and those that I work with. I am interested in incorporating health education and wellness into my practice as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. We will see where my thesis research ends up in the next two years … excited to find out!
Van Portfleet: With the academic and creative input that we have had at school, creating this piece has felt like a way to physically and creatively process the ideas that are swirling around in my head. Although I can’t get too specific right now, my biggest interests currently involve the separation and isolation of the “other,” those with whom we don’t identify and don’t understand. My original idea for the piece, which didn’t happen, would have responded more directly to these questions. I think I’ll understand how this new dance fits into the larger picture of my thesis work in a few months when I have had some time away from both it and my academics to reflect on what has transpired.
SLUG: What do you hope your audiences will take away from the evening, and your work in particular? Regarding Suite Space, what are you most looking forward to for these two nights of performances?
Draper: I hope the audience will just enjoy themselves and the variety that the show has to offer. All three of us are offering really different works and perspectives that I think have something for everyone. I don’t really expect the audience to take anything away from my piece. What they take is up to them. Once the piece is onstage, it isn’t mine anymore, and I really love that fleeting moment of when you get to share something that is really special to you.
Kougioulis: I am excited to experience the very vulnerable feeling of putting your work out into the community. I hope that the audience goes for a ride in witnessing the different works throughout the evening. Regarding my work in particular, I hope the audience experiences even a glimpse of the transformational emotions that the dancers and I have lived throughout the process. I have been a bit nervous to present my work (as many new artists are); however, we have reached a point where the piece is ready for outside eyes, and I am fully confident in my dancers and their professionalism. I can’t wait to see the individual choices that my dancers will make in relation to their character during the moments in my piece that I have left open for their personally felt expression in the moment.
Van Portfleet: I hope that the audience will appreciate the variety of the works on the program—the genuine digging that each of these pieces are doing. From my work … I’m not sure. Everyone will have their own experience, and I can’t imagine what it might be. I’m curious to find out. Mostly I am excited to see the dancers get into performance mode and for the piece to come alive in the way that dances only really do once they get to the stage in front of an audience.
SLUG: What are your thoughts on Utah’s local dance scene, both within the academic sphere as well as within the community overall? What has your personal experience been like?
Draper: I absolutely love the dance community here in Utah. It has a lot to offer for various artists. Besides the main companies, there is also a lot of great work happening from freelance artists and smaller companies. One of my favorite events is Mudson, put on by lovedancemore, which also hosts other community-based performances. There’s a lot happening and I think that more and more collaboration is starting to brew between dancers with different backgrounds and connections, which is really exciting.
Kougioulis: I’ve been involved in Utah’s local dance scene throughout almost all of my life. I absolutely love this community. Some of my most influential and meaningful relationships have been developed through Utah’s dance community. There are so many versatile and talented dancers here. Our ever-growing community brings me a great deal of comfort and excitement for what the future of dance holds. My experience has been extremely positive ever since I was 8 years old. It feels as though there have been endless amounts of opportunities and support being a dancer in the community and in academia here in Utah. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in the MFA program at the University of Utah and am excited to see what the future holds.
Van Portfleet: I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of dance there is to see here and to be involved in. Between events in town and at the U, I have been engaged in seeing a ton of great dance. Ririe-Woodbury, Repertory Dance Theatre and Salt Dance have all brought intriguing works into the Salt Lake community, and I know that I’m not even getting to see everything. There is great work being done by faculty and students at the University as well. I’m looking forward to seeing Molly Heller’s Very Vary in May, and am excited to work with RDT in July to create a new work on the company for their upcoming season. The community seems to be blossoming, and I feel lucky to be here at this time.
Performances run on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 29 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Sugar Space Arts Warehouse, located at 132 S. 800 W. For more information and tickets, visit thesugarspace.com.