A group of GW’s student dancers will soon take to the stage for their Spring DanceWorks concert—and alumna Chriselle Tidrick, CCAS BA ’94, has a little something to do with it.
Tidrick, founder and artistic director of the NY-based Above and Beyond Dance company, is currently serving as a Spring 2014 guest artist in GW’s department of theatre and dance. A former competitive gymnast, Tidrick has performed extensively as a dancer and stilt dancer with various NY-based companies. In addition, she has choreographed dance work, stilt work and aerial work dance work.
In 2007, Tidrick founded Above and Beyond Dance; during the 2011 season, she produced RAW, the company’s circus-infused dance, at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.
When given the chance to return to GW for her Guest Artist stint, Tidrick didn’t think twice.
“I’m thrilled to be back on campus for this project,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed introducing the students to aerial dance technique and choreography.”
Tidrick’s students have been learning two sections of RAW. She says working with the group is particuarly meaningful because she was first introduced to modern dance at GW, while minoring in dance.
“Having the opportunity to introduce another generation of dancers to new skills and new ideas about movement and choreography is incredibly satisfying,” says Tidrick.
Tidrick’s’ group of student dancers will perform in the Spring DanceWorks concert in DC’s Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre on April 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30pm.
After she wraps up her position with GW, Tidrick is looking forward to focusing on her next performance. She and her company dancers are developing a new work, Dreamscapes, which will premiere Sept. 19-21 in Brooklyn, NY. Tidrick received a Brooklyn Arts Council Community Arts Fund grant for the project.
–Melissa Nyman
To learn more about GW’s Department of Theatre & Dance, visit: www.gwu.edu/~theatre
