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Building blocks toward a career in dance

BY CHARLIE MCVICKERS, STAFF WRITER

Each spring, dance majors at George Mason perform in the annual School of Dance Gala concert at the Center for the Arts. The performance allows students to work with world-renowned choreographers and prepare for a future career in the industry.

This year’s performance falls on Mar. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. The program consisted of four choreographic works: “The Hunt” by Robert Battle, “Cloudline” by Robyn Mineko Williams, “The Fracture of Light” by Yue Yin, and his premier work “Twist” by associate professor at Mason Christopher d’Amboise. Students of all cohorts participated in a year long process to create a performance to remember. 

Preparations for the gala start in August with the dancers’ first residency audition. The initial audition is two hours long, ending with the first cut of the day. Dancers selected for callbacks return to the studios for an additional two hours to workshop material. Casting is finalized soon after. 

If selected for a part, dancers will spend weeks in a residency where students can cultivate meaningful connections with professionals in the industry. This relationship can later lead to future job opportunities. 

Performing is not the only way one can participate in the gala. Senior Sloan Daley was contacted after her audition with an opportunity to be a rehearsal assistant for d’Amboise. 

Throughout the creation process, Daley’s job was to be an extra pair of eyes in the room. She mapped out and learned all aspects of the music in preparation for rehearsals. Additionally, she was in charge of the upkeep of rehearsal footage, which led her to be in contact with the production crew such as lighting and design coordinators. 

As Daley sets out to graduate this spring, she hopes to continue her journey as not just a performer but a choreographer as well. Throughout Daley’s experience of being a rehearsal assistant, she felt she gained confidence in working with different group sizes.

“I have choreographed all four semesters since junior year, and it’s something that in school, I have learned I absolutely love and am interested in,” Daley said. “I’ve definitely never had a cast of twenty-five people, so now working with a group that big, I feel really comfortable with it. Which is something I think is going to help me move forward.”

Charlie McVickers/Fourth Estate

While the students are perfecting their craft in the studios, the production teams are working hard to support the show in different ways. 

The costume department plays a significant role in contributing to the production for the School of Dance. Dance Wardrobe Coordinator, Cat Buchanan is the backbone of the entire costume operation. 

When it comes to making gala costumes, the first step is to receive approval from the original designers. This step is necessary in order for Buchanan to recreate costumes used in the original productions. Buchanan must then create a variation of the original, taking inspiration from the previous costume. In some cases, choreographers will ask her to—instead—create something new. 

In the fall, Buchanan begins shopping for materials that will help build the gala costumes. Next, she starts building garments for each dancer, adjusting them right up until show day. 

Buchanan’s staff includes dance students working as costume shop interns. It is an opportunity students can apply for at the beginning of the fall semester. Through the internship students are taught the craftsmanship and skill of being a dresser by taking part in the creation and alteration process. 

The costume department is in a constant state of production mode. “When it comes to being a costumer/dresser you cannot be a person that needs a scheduled existence,” Buchanan said. “But if you enjoy a big adventure, it’s a lot of fun every day. And you get to work with the most amazing people, and students, it keeps you going.”

The gala is not only a celebration of a year of growth and education, it also represents the dedication these young artists have in shaping their careers within the dance industry.

The School of Dance holds numerous performances throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, presenting works by students, faculty, and world-renowned artists. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at the George Mason Center for the Arts Ticket Office. For more information on this upcoming event, visit the ​​2025 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert site.