The Decade

In light of the 10-year anniversary of September 11th, I've thought a lot, maybe even more than I should have, about the past decade. 10 years... the passage of the time span feels very short, but then I think about it, and I realize how much has happened in those years. 


In September 2001, I was a junior in high school in Tennessee. I had been driving for about three months, and life seemed pretty carefree. Of course, there was the drama and tumult associated with high school, which seemed huge at that time, but, in comparison to the issues of now, seems pretty insignificant. I was dancing, happy, and had no clue where my path might lead--I was thinking that I would most likely head to law school to be an attorney. 


By Spring 2003, I had received the Park Scholarship, which led me to Raleigh, NC and North Carolina State University. Eight years later, I'm now serving on the Regional Selection Committee for the Park Scholarships. Isn't it funny how things work? College was a transitional time for me. I moved everything and knew very few people when I stepped foot onto the Brickyard in August of 2003. I remember college so vividly--the first year was challenging as I learned to adapt to my new city and surroundings. At times, I questioned if NC State was the right place for me. In the end, it was-- I met a lot of wonderful people, had some really eye-opening life experiences, explored a lot of possibilities, did some truly meaningful community service work, and thought (a lot) about what I would do post-college.


During my last semester of college, I switched my mindset from future attorney to future dance studio owner (which was my ultimate childhood dream). I didn't know when my goal would come to fruition, but in all honestly, it happened much faster than I ever imagined. By January 2009, Willis and I were married and planning on opening a studio in June 2009. The delve into entrepreneurship was daunting but exciting. We opened the doors that June, and the past 2 years and 3 months feel like a quick whirlwind. My dreams literally came true, but in saying that, I have to reference a quote from the musical Wicked.


"Cause getting your dreams
It's strange, but it seems
A little - well - complicated
There's a kind of a sort of : cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed"--Wicked


And, as I lightly and briefly reflect on the past decade, I have, obviously, left out many details. But, the details and the people--the love and the loss--the praise and the criticism--the smiles and the tears--has had an equally significant impact as any other event throughout the time span (and maybe, one day, I'll explore those stories individually or in a book). It molds you and shapes you into you who become as a person. As I've thought through the years, I wouldn't change one moment of the past ten years. Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe that each event, person, and action has had its purpose in the grand scheme. 


Time is the wisest counsellor of all.  ~Pericles


Here's to entering another equally accomplished decade... What will you do between 2011-2021? 


Chasta

Vacation Break!

I'm away for the next few days, so I won't be blogging as regularly, but I promise a super, fun-filled updated very soon! :)

Chasta

Original Creativity: Does It Exist?

For quite some time, I've been fascinated by the concept of original creativity. Do we create ideas or do we merely borrow ideas as a foundation for inspiration? What is truly original? (Or, of course, in the worst scenario, a person chooses to blatantly plagiarize.)

To provide an example, in my undergraduate capstone project, I considered original creativity within the transformations and reincarnations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Of the most mainstream transformations/adaptations, there are: The Wizard of Oz film from 1939, The Wiz, Wicked the novel by Gregory Maguire, and Wicked: The Musical. There are numerous sequels, spin-offs, and other modifications, too, but for the sake of a short argument, these are the only ones I choose to list. Within these similar stories, characters generally remain the same but the stories all go in slightly variant directions. Each version has found success because it found inspiration in one source and created ways to originate new concepts, plot arcs, target audiences, etc. Basically, it re-invented something old by layering it with a new, original premise and found its success in the re-invention. Within this example, you see the realities and possibilities of borrowed inspiration.

In a century, the Wizard of Oz found new, relevant content throughout its transformations without blatantly stealing the originality. Throughout my education, there were students that plagiarized, copied, and didn't work as hard as a lot of other students, and they were still rewarded with diplomas and degrees. Then, I entered the working world and realized that it doesn't change there, either. I see plagiarism through copied dance routines on the competition circuit, and I see it in places as ridiculous as on facebook. But, what I have learned, is that there is a HUGE difference between a person that originates/re-invents ideas and a person that merely copies them.

In whatever you do, be the person that originates/re-invents. You will be held in much higher regard in your school, your career, and your network. Does it take more effort? Absolutely. As Booker T. Washington said, "Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work."

My challenge for you today is this: tap into your creativity, see what you can find. Always be thinking of what you can do to set yourself apart. If you're looking for ways to be creative, check out the suggestions in this article.

And, as a final thought:
"Be yourself. The world worships an original."--Ingrid Bergman

Happy Creating!
Chasta

The Book Report: Broadway Memoirs

Recently, I read two Broadway memoirs. The writing styles were entirely different, the moods varied, but, at the end of the day, the most respected actresses shared their history, trials, glories, and tribulations associated with their experiences in the world of theatre and entertainment. If you have some downtime, I highly recommend both of these reads:

1. Patti LuPone: A Memoir (Patti Lupone with Digby Diehl)

2. A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, & Faith in Stages (Kristin Chenoweth & Joni Rodgers)

Both women offer insight, encouragement, and perseverance in an industry that can be cutthroat, unfair, and highly competitive.

Yesterday, I discussed my favorite quote on the blog. I think I found my second favorite quote in Kristin Chenoweth's memoir, "Drink more coffee. You can sleep when you're dead!"

Happy Monday!
Chasta

The Lion or the Gazelle: Which One Are You?

I believe in the power of quotations. During middle and high school (pre-facebook), I used to carry around decorative, collage inserts in my notebooks to remind me of my favorite quotes. When facebook arrived, I strategically thought through the quotations I would include on my page. Throughout my collegiate career, there were varying moments of quotation-based facebook status updates and IM away messages that I would painstakingly consider as accurate representations of my feelings at the time. Since I've entered the working world, I still have a few quotes laying around to remind me of some ideologies, but, mainly, I choose to mentally carry those ideas. And, perhaps, my all-time favorite quote is as follows:

"Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It know it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle...when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."--Source Unknown

So, my friends, I ask you the question: Are you the Lion or Gazelle?

Whatever you choose to do, choose to do it with fervor. :)

Happy Sunday!
Chasta

Welcome to Tutu Town!

Maintaining a blog is something that I've aspired to do for the past two years (and,yes, I have failed miserably). This blog will break the mold! Inspired by many nights at the studio discussing important dancers, choreographers, artists, and terminology, I've realized that a lot of recent and historical knowledge of art is lost. That's not okay. Blogging seemed to be the perfect medium for discussing dance/art/culturally relevant ideas and events. I will focus on what I'm doing, what others are doing, and what's happening in the industry. Guest bloggers will be contributing, too. Think of it as a dance history, methodology, and current events online mini-course all rolled into one.

So what is "Tutu Town"? The name is applicable because my life is dance. I have fully immersed myself in this art, and I love the Tutu Town that I'm creating for myself. I hope that you'll share in this journey, and that you're living in a Tutu Town of your own. :)

Dancingly Yours,
Chasta