MAKAYLA SPRAGUE

Music, connection, and emotion

are three words I like to think of while choreographing. As an artist and choreographer, I have always found that my passion comes from deep within the music. I believe that my sense of musically has always been able to transform my mind and help me create a work of art. Something I always say to my dancers, whether it be the choreography or an improv session, is to “dance as the music makes you feel.” Mentally, music can help us express emotion, and I have found how important my music choices can be. While fabricating a piece in my head, one of my primary focuses is how the audience is going to react. A goal of mine is to transform audience members’ minds into a specific setting, or in to an emotional or intellectual experience. While using scenery, lighting, or props, I want the audience members and the dancers alike, to feel as if they are living inside of the piece.

​

I am not a believer that every piece of work has to have a ‘story,’ because I feel that art can be viewed from multiple perspectives. Some may have different ideas of what is going on in a piece, and if the choreographer has given that freedom, then I see it to be interesting to hear what audience members’ took from the work. I want to hear how it made them feel or what story they created from it, because that will only help me become a more open-minded artist. As for storytelling, I am always intrigued to see how I can convey a story without being literal. However, I always give my pieces a sense of structure and direction, to help the audience members formulate their perspective.

​

Something I think about while creating movement, is what it means to me. If I understand that a movement or phrase is a motif or theme in my piece, then I will find it easier to convey an idea. These motifs are also important to me because I find them to push me and my choreography in the right direction. My movement patterns are fluid, helping myself and the dancers portray the phrases in an effortless way. While also generating a piece, I am always thinking about structure, patterns, and shapes. To me these elements give a work a sense of strength and power. Each time I create a new work, I always ask myself how I can step out of my comfort zone. I am skilled in choreographing contemporary, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre, but when I begin something new I look for ways to make each piece better than the last. I push myself by changing the setting of the piece, the way I orchestrate the choreography, or the way I manipulate phrases or gestures.

​

Choreography is my passion.

Some times I do take from my own personal experiences in life, but I also am always inspired by others’ stories. Everyday I am thinking of new ideas and ways to express emotion. I believe that with my choreography dancers and audience members can always take away something from it. Most of all I find it joyful to be able to help someone express their happy, sad, angry, love, fear, etc., emotions in a creative and open atmosphere.