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Gina Sawyer offers the performance industry unique dance and talent
services. Her sensitivity to the artistry of dance entertainment reflects her
creative and detailed work. "Make Your Next Performance the Best
Performance," with the assistance of Backstage Coach Productions.
Q & A with Gina Sawyer ...
What do
clients appreciate about your work?
I’m very intense and detailed. I really know how to "drill and kill" movements
to get the best look. I have created a movement dictionary of "tricks." It’s an
amazing resource to use when choreographing. I get tired of seeing the same old
leaps and turns in choreography so I try to combine skills in a different way.
Also different does not have to be hard. It just has to be different. Creative,
that is ...
What’s your background? I began my dance career in a studio, but dance/drill team made a huge impact on
me. I also learned to appreciate diversity by working for NCA Danz in the
'90s. Being forced to learn so many routines throughout the summer really
increased my ability to perform and teach so many forms of dance.
The root of my training stems from ballet. Because of its codified structure,
I
have gained a lot of my technique, placement, and alignment from ballet. I have
lots of respect for the pointe shoes!
I love the glamour and glitz of musical theater. Fosse’s "razzle dazzle" would
easily describe my look. I spent three years studying modern/concert dance at
Texas Women’s University only to finally realize that there was nothing wrong
with "show glitz." It’s called musical theatre. Must be all those former beauty
pageants coming out in me ...
Who is your favorite teacher? Susan Marquis Friday, the former artistic director for Denton Civic Ballet was
one of my best dance instructors/mentors. Susan often let me attend class for
free when I was in college, and she would call me in the mornings to make sure I
attended her 7:00 a.m. Ballet class before going to the university classes.
Susan truly had a vision that ballet would be great in north Texas, and worked
incredible hours to prove it.
Another favorite teacher is Elaine Armfield Guffey from the University of
Tennessee. She could teach a class to all levels of dancers with each class
being different from the next. Never a dull moment. She taught at the university
and also owned a school where she choreographed and set full-length ballets on
her students. You think that most valedictorians of their class move on into the
business world. Elaine made dance her business.
Keep dreaming: Having a vision completely different from your friends and co-workers can be
challenging. Just because you are not the “character” you dream of today, do not
let other’s opinions keep you from changing and getting the “part” tomorrow.
Keep moving towards the goal no matter how small your contribution might be that
day. Just keep moving and believing that one day your dreams will come true.
Who is your role model?
My sister Lisa has incredible patience. As the mother of three children she
seems to have a knack for juggling all of their activities. She is so good to
her kids. No matter what hand the cards have dealt me over the years, she has
always been a great listener. I wish we lived closer to each other. I always
feel safe and loved in her presence.
A tough assignment:
I believe one of my toughest assignments for choreography was writing,
choreographing, and staging an original high school musical. I chose the theme,
then wrote the dialogue and choreographed the dances. It took a ton of research
to make this believable. A very rewarding experience. ... Acting, singing, and
dancing combined require triple the work.
How do you have fun?
I am always rearranging/decorating the house. I look at my home as a beautiful
place to rejuvenate and relax. My husband laughs because as soon as I arrive
home I put on a robe and lounge. I’m constantly looking for additional
accessories to add to my home. The details make a home come to life.
I love collecting items that build a theme. For example, I collect ornaments
with hearts. So far I have a hanging windmill of hearts, a flowered wreath
heart, and a frog with large, red lips shaped in a heart. These are all hanging
from the ceiling in my bathroom. I’m not sure why I chose to place them in this
room, except that I like it.
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