Looking Back on #BDSI2019

Summer Intensive
Written By Samantha Waugh

This summer, 106 dancers joined the company in the beautiful studios of Chapman University for three incredible weeks of growth and discovery. Twenty-two faculty members, including the notable Ido Tadmor (Tel Aviv, Israel), Adrian Hoffman (Whim W’him), and I-Ling Liu (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co.), shared their knowledge by providing 165 hours of unique classes focused on furthering technique and creative development.

Backhausdance © Photos by Emily Duncan

Thanks to the over $36,000 in scholarship donations, dancers were able to participate in these exceptional class experiences and perform alongside the company members in the culmination performance. BD Education Presents: The Planets, choreographed by Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus and founding company member Amanda Kay White, was a two-night success. Set to Gustav Holst’s musical suite of the same name, the captivating production and the cast of over 100 dancers brought the magnitude of outer space into the theatre. After only 26 hours of rehearsal, the students displayed their creative voices onstage alongside members of the company, and created a remarkable culmination to a memorable three weeks.

For a look back on #BDSI2019, be sure to visit our YouTube Channel for some video highlights:

Highlights from Week 1 of the 2019 Backhausdance Summer Intensive.

Highlights from Week 2 of the 2019 Backhausdance Summer Intensive.

Highlights from Week 3 of the 2019 Backhausdance Summer Intensive.

Highlights from BD Education Presents: The Planets, the culmination performance for the 2019 Backhausdance Summer Intensive.

Samantha Waugh

Samantha Waugh is a dance artist and educator working in Southern California. After moving from her hometown of Austin, Texas, she graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work alongside many notable artists, including Dwight Rhoden, Ido Tadmor, Jennifer Backhaus, Sean Greene, Amanda Kay White, Amy Morrow, and Nicole Hagen, among others. Samantha has performed in many project-based festivals around the LA area, and has presented her own choreographic and movement research works. This is Samantha’s second season performing as an apprentice with Backhausdance.

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