Exploring the Art of Screendance: An Interview with Ms. Kaykeel Dillard

 In these films, choreography is often created only for film or video. Distinct camera work, editing techniques, and choreographic messages through movement are included. Since this presentation is less than a month away, it’s beneficial for the greater community to have more information on screendance as a videographic form, a dance genre, and a form of self-expression.

I recently had the privilege of talking with Chatham Hall’s dance director, Ms. Dillard, in order to inquire about the upcoming screening. Some of Ms. Dillard’s experience with screendance include her roles in UNCG’s screen dance program and stunning videographic and choreographic work beyond college and well into her career as a dancer. Ms. D has also directed several outstanding recitals at Chatham, so I wanted to find out why she chose this specific style for the approaching showcase.

This season in dance we are working on screendance projects, where the students are choreographing their own projects in the style of dance they are interested in. We will film them and have a screening. 

I chose this style not only to give myself a choreographic break, but also to allow the students to demonstrate their choreographic potential, to allow them to choose the music that they like and the style of dance that they like, and also to create portfolios that will last here at Chatham Hall forever. 

Screendance is relevant right now because we live in the 21st century, where people are always on their devices. It allows for students to be able to edit and I feel like editing is a useful tool that opens up opportunities for students who are interested in doing videography or technical work.

Jazz, African, Contemporary, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Bollywood, and Cheer.

Students create a storyboard and choose a location, then they tell me what style of dance they want to use, then we have a day or two of practicing that style to get it in their bodies, then they go on to choreography where they themselves work on their own choreography before they then bring it to their members who signed up to be in their dance, then they will film it in the location that they chose, edit it, and present it.

March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Dutch. I’m thinking of minimum 10 films, maximum 15.

I took screendance in college for one semester, and really loved it. But they were in the beginning stages of the program, so I couldn’t fully experience it for the 4 years I was there. I noticed that after I took that class, I continued doing videographic and choreographic work. I was in a performance called “Temple”, when UNCG Dance collaborated with UNCG’s Film Department and I was able to choreograph for the videographer and the director and be a part of her piece and choose dancers to bring the project together as a whole.

Go for it! Trust the process! Be wild, be bold! Try new things, think outside the box, don't be afraid. You can always go back and edit…and yeah!

Come to the show! It will be amazing! 

The dancers involved in this season have stated that, although solo choreographing was initially daunting and difficult, they have really enjoyed discovering their own abilities as both choreographers and dancers. The independence that this season provides has been both a drawback and a benefit, and this unique process of creating their own work has proven to have amazing results. As a dancer myself, I completely agree with the opinions of my peers. I believe that overcoming the initial anxiety of being completely on my own and letting go of the self-doubt truly helped me step into my higher abilities. I’m very excited for the greater community to witness the talent of the dance department! 

Chatham Hall’s Screendance screening will take place on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Dutch. For more information and/or inquiries, please contact kdillard@chathamhall.org.