Bernell DorroughThey’re men; they’re men in tights, tight tights! Well, they don’t ALL wear tights, but they all are dancers in this year’s performance of Washington University’s Dance Theater. Dance Theater is the annual concert of the Dance Division of the Performing Arts Department, which features selected works by each member of the dance faculty and pieces by guest artists, and this year, there are five extraordinary young men who will be taking part in the performance. Jun Cai, Justin Huebener, Jay Reese, John Russell, and Thomas Witholt have broken through the “girls only” image of Dance Theater and have been cast in a variety of pieces ranging from modern dance to ballet to Baroque. And their personalities and opinions are just as diverse as their dance styles. So, when Student Life asked each of them a variety of questions, their answers were surprisingly unique, even when discussing the same issues.
Student Life: If you hadn’t had any formal modern dance training before WUDT, (Washington University Dance Theater), what made you decide to audition?
Jun: I just saw the show last year and wanted to be a part of it this year. And I really wanted to see what the auditions were like.
Jay: I wanted dance experience. It’s the only part of the “triple threat” [the combination of singing, dancing, and acting] that I haven’t explored yet.
John: My modern dance instructor, who also taught my Contact Improv class, said that I should do it for the experience. I did not like the idea of the experience of failing, so it took a few prods to do it.
Student Life: Can you briefly describe some of the most challenging aspects of participating in a field that is traditionally dominated by women?
Jun: There is just not enough testosterone. Being around all these women has its perks but from time to time I just need to be a man.
Justin: I don’t think it’s challenging, but sometimes I do. It’s kind of fun being the only guy in your dance class, but I wish that more guys would try dance, because it’s such a great art form.
Jay: There isn’t anything really challenging. Girls are naturally welcoming, so it hasn’t been hard at all.
John: Challenging? In a field where every male dancer strikes out and is admired, which I cannot see why, considering most male dancers started dancing for a pure love of it or to get a girl, there is nearly nothing challenging about it. People come up to me telling me how cool it is that I dance, and I don’t quite understand, because I dance just because it feels good.
Thomas: It would be easy to say that you’re labeled as a sissy, which I think is true in lower levels of education, and from people with that level of intelligence, but now it isn’t the case. And, men can make it into dance at 18, women have to start at 8. Guys are given the benefit of the doubt when they suck, and women aren’t, which is bad for both the female dancers, who are treated with less forgiveness, and for the male dancers, who are pressured to do things that aren’t yet in their capabilities so that they don’t look like they’re making everyone else wait.
Student Life: What has been the most rewarding aspect of participating in DT?
Jun: I’m becoming a better dancer just from dancing so much outside of class.
Justin: Simply put…doing what I love! When I dance I just feel so alive, and I love the days when we are all “on” and everything comes together so beautifully. It’s really hard to describe…kind of like the feeling you get when you ace a final…but better!
Jay: The sweat. Working hard to accomplish a goal with your peers is always rewarding. In this piece, I feel I’ve helped accomplish something good.
John: Doing something fun and new every time I step on the floor. Getting to know some of the most wonderful people. And dancing. Dancing itself.
Thomas: Learning repertoire is easier and I have new dance vocabulary in my body, and I had the experience of being involved in a dance performance, which is all wonderful.
Student Life: What have your friends’ and classmates’ reactions been like to your involvement in dance? Is anyone ever surprised?
Justin: No one is ever really surprised that I dance, maybe because it seems like I’m in dance clothes or at rehearsal all the time. They’re pretty much just used to it by now!
Jun: They’ve been supportive other then the fact that they don’t see me anymore cause I’m dancing all the time. They know I’ll represent on stage though.
John: I’m in a fraternity. I’m a senior in his first WUDT. And I’m male. Surprise doesn’t explain the reactions from different people I’ve received. Shock may be closer. But also a sense of coolness and support.
Jay: Because of my dance efforts outside of WUDT, for example in the Kappa Sigma Basement, others find it only natural that I dance.
Thomas: I think some people are [surprised], maybe teachers, because I’m involved in so many classes that have nothing to do with dance. I guess they don’t expect students to dance and do a lot of work at the same time, which really shouldn’t be a big surprise at this school.
WUDT will be held on Dec. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. in Edison Theater. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Edison Box Office or at the door.