Since its founding in 1980, the Dance Gala has served as the hallmark event of the George Mason School of Dance, reflecting and anticipating its growth and increasing reputation as one of the finest dance programs in the country.
How has this success happened?
It succeeds through sustained long term, strategic planning, visionary leadership, dedication of the entire dance faculty and dance majors and the support of enthusiastic alumni and donors.
In 1980, there were three dance majors and only two full-time dance faculty members. Classes were held in the old gym. The first Guest Artist was invited to set a work which was performed in the 400 seat Harris Theater. Thus began the Gala.
Today there are over 80 dance majors, six full time faculty, many adjunct faculty, an athletic trainer, and a George Mason Heritage Professor. George Mason’s nationally-ranked dance program is now housed in the glorious, award-winning Donald and Nancy deLaski Performing Arts Building. The Gala now includes three or four guest artist works and is performed in the 2,000 seat Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts.
Although the School of Dance has seen a great many changes over these years, the template for the guest artist residencies, which prepares these works for the Gala, has remained very much the same.
Every dancer in the program participates in a real-world audition for each piece, conducted by the professional guest choreographer or stager. Each dancer wears a number and the choreographers make their cast selections with no faculty input, not knowing if the dancers are beginning freshmen or seasoned seniors. This is on purpose. The real-world audition helps the faculty see the students with fresh eyes, because there is always a surprise pick. Faculty observe the students during the audition, so they can give feedback to improve their audition skills. This assures that every dancer in the program experiences multiple auditions throughout their four years and can practice and improve their audition skills. Faculty can also help students deal with the emotional highs and lows of being cast or not being cast.
Once the cast is selected for a piece, the dancers participate in an intense seven- to ten-day residency in the studio for up to five to eight hours a day as the work is set. Videos are used to assist in learning the dance, but the majority of every work honors an ancient tradition and is taught person to person as each dancer becomes part of the dance legacy. Once the guest artist or stager leaves, a faculty member continues to rehearse the work several times a week until the concert. It is up to the dancer and faculty to honor and take responsibility to uphold the artists’ vision.
As the reputation of the School of Dance has grown, the choreographers and stagers often return to George Mason to attend the Gala and the Fête, a true honor for the program and a recognition of the high reputation of the Gala and the dancers in our program.
In 2010, the addition of the deLaski Performing Arts wing added two large, beautiful studios. The new studios also added much needed rehearsal and class space provided space for more guest artist residencies. The new studios in conjunction with the scholarship funds raised by the Fête and Mason Arts, have enabled George Mason Dance to expand its recruitment efforts and increase the entering class to 20 students. Auditions now are held in Virginia, New York City, and Texas.
There is no more perfect demonstration of the creativity, ingenuity, determination and commitment from everyone in the School of Dance than how they handled the COVID years. Although classes were abruptly cancelled in the spring of 2020, all of the faculty and 91% of students returned to campus ready to work in the fall. Technique classes were divided in half to enable distancing, and the two sections for each class were taught back-to-back. Dancers were confined to 12-foot squares marked on the floor, wore masks, and no partnering was allowed. Despite these restrictions, the School found creative ways to present performances. “Parking Lot Dance” was performed in the George Mason parking lot. Choreographers also became videographers, creating films to compliment and light their dances from behind as car headlights covered by colored gels provided front and side lighting. In another “performance,” solos were projected on the outside wall of the Concert Hall. The Gala had no audience, but it was performed on stage and streamed on Zoom to donors who received a basket of celebratory champagne and chocolate strawberries to toast as they watched. Amazingly, that fall not one of George Mason’s dancers caught COVID!
An important impact of the Gala is to expose the dancers, and the greater metropolitan area, to the best in contemporary dance. In a Gala Concert, you may see classic contemporary works, cutting edge choreography and world premieres. An impressive array of prominent choreographers share their work with our students every year. Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris, Paul Taylor, Doug Varone, Twyla Tharp, Martha Graham are just a few of the artists who shared their world-renowned works over the years. In addition, the program is known for identifying up-and-coming innovative choreographers. At this year’s Gala, you will see the magical work of Robyn Mineko Williams and the powerful work of Yue Yin. Alongside these works are a joyous world premiere by Heritage Professor Christopher d’Amboise and a driving and rhythmic piece by Robert Battle, former Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Each Gala is a unique opportunity to see assembled dance repertory you cannot see anywhere else.
The Gala also helps the program in its recruitment efforts. All accepted students from across the country are invited to attend the Gala and to meet the George Mason dancers and faculty afterwards in a reception. Once they see the Gala and the high level of the George Mason dance majors, it often “seals the deal.”
The purpose of the Gala has indeed come full circle. Each major interacts with professional artists in auditions and residencies. Upon graduation they connect with these same artists as professionals. Many have joined major professional dance companies, returning to the DC area to perform at the Kennedy Center or in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall. It is especially gratifying to faculty when an alumnus returns to the School of Dance as a guest artist, performer, teacher, or stager and conducts residencies and shares their experiences with a new crop of future professionals.
THE FÊTE
This also marks the 11th year of the Fête, a delightful pre-performance celebration that brings dance lovers together to raise scholarship funds in support of the School of Dance and to learn more about the art form.
The Dance Fête is the School of Dance's major fundraiser and began in 2014. The annual pre-performance reception for donors became a sit-down dinner and fundraiser. The first Fête featured a live stream from backstage, showing the dancers taking class and running phrases as they prepared for the Gala. Kennedy Center Honoree Jacques d’Amboise and Alvin Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle were inspirational speakers at the first Fêtes.
Today the Fête is an exclusive event for roughly 200 attendees. Donors, George Mason administration officials, and area elected officials are welcomed by faculty and students into a studio magically transformed by glorious flowers and delicious hors d’oeuvres. One consistent element of the event are the insights that guests gain into the inner workings of the Gala Concert. Guests learn from choreographers and students how the dances are created and rehearsed and learn tips for understanding each work.
Every faculty member and every major participates in the Gala and the Fête in some way, whether on stage or not, and they are committed to making the evening a success!
Over $435,000 has been raised for School of Dance scholarships since the event's start. The funds raised from the Fête have been transformational in the School of Dance ability to recruit so many incredibly talented dancers to George Mason. The success of the Gala and Fête and their contribution to the success of the School of Dance is undeniable.
Through the scholarship support, the School is able to recruit increasingly talented majors and make connections for the dancers with major professional artists. This link to the professional dance world has yielded impressive results. Last year after graduation, nearly 80% of the class of 2024 received contracts with major dance companies within months of graduation! A real testament to the preparation the dance major received as an undergraduate.
We hope you can join us at this fantastic event this year!