Collaborating as an Artist vs. Collaborating to build a Home

Julie Boruff on her Bike and Build trip

Collaboration by definition is working with another person or group to achieve a common goal. Before I became a dancer, I was highly involved in team sports and obviously the goal is to win. To win a few things must be acquired by all participants, such as communication, dedication and perseverance. These three things can relate off of the field and on to different aspects of group focus. Collaborating as an artist to create a work has many similarities and few differences as collaborating on a construction site.

So what’s so similar? For one, there is a leader. In my experience as a dancer there has always been someone to lead the project. On a construction site there is the Site Supervisor who demonstrates, teaches and corrects the workers to keep them on the right track. In both situations the group whether dancers or workers are given tasks to perform. If there is a problem or a misunderstanding communicating those problems with your “teammates” and leader are necessary for the project to move forward. Secondly, in both situations all members must be dedicated to the work. Sure everyone has off days but a work can’t get completed or a house won’t be built if people slack off. In both areas depending on the project some days you work independently and other days you work with everyone. Either way commitment to the overall product is essential. Furthermore, to accomplish a goal perseverance is essential particularly in setbacks. A few set backs on a construction site could be the weather; sometimes there’s not enough work for everyone or you simply may not be good at hammering. Everyone has a different set of skills but toughing it out shows true commitment to the overall goal. With creating a work a set back may be an ailment in the body, not enough time, or simply not fully understanding the concept. Either way, persevering through problem spots is a necessity in both types of group collaboration.

The main difference between working as a dancer and working on a construction site is how the product is assembled. A choreographer can start out with an overall concept of what they want a work to represent but, may have a different outcome as rehearsals progress and new ideas are formed. When you are building a house it has to be planned completely. In the end the house has to be built exactly as the blue prints whereas a dance can form into something completely different than the original idea. However the thing that is important between both is that they cannot be completed single handedly. Collaboration is a universal tool that aids in a successful outcome whether that is a winning the game, building a house or creating a new dance work.

Submitted by TDC apprentice Julie Boruff on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

Taking a Summer off to Ride Across the Country

Photo by Eric Olson

After I graduated college in 2012, my mind was set to epic proportions. I needed a cleanse of the city to recharge my creativity. I had heard about Bike and Build, an organization that focuses on empowering youth through raising awareness, fundraising, public speaking, and working as a team not only on the road but also on construction projects for affordable housing. A good friend of mine had participated in the trip and strongly encouraged me to apply.

Taking the entire summer to bike across the country was as nerve racking as it was exciting. I was nervous about all the logistics of when I would return; money, housing and in particular, dance. Our route, although beautiful, was at times physically demanding. We rode through multiple mountain ranges and became friends with forceful headwinds. It made me realize how far my body could be pushed.

Coming back to dance was an easier transition than I had anticipated, at least on a cardiovascular level. My movement pick up skills were definitely rusty, which I expected, but I put more pressure on myself to stay focused in rehearsals because I had taken the summer off from dance. It was also nice to come back into a supportive environment and dance community. Margi and the Company were all very encouraging before, during, and after my trip and helped to correct the things that were off in my body. Additionally, I was ready to start creating and collaborating again. The summer was buzzing with new experiences, new places and people coming from all walks of life that I could now bring to the table.  Reflecting back, my decision to take a break was totally beneficial. It challenged me to face my goals, especially those relating to the field of dance, and it boosted my creativity by giving me a new outlook. Although my dancing body wasn’t in the same position before the trip, I had a new appreciation for the art and desire to get back in the swing of things. When it comes to travel and creativity, the words of St. Augustine sum it up,

“ The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page.”

Submitted by TDC Apprentice Julie Boruff on Tuesday, April 23, 2014.