Dance collective founded by Professor Baird releases first project

Drift Dance Collective, a group founded by assistant professor of theatre and dance Emily Baird ’16, released their first project, a dance film titled Rinse Cycle. Founded in December 2022, the collective is made up of five Wooster alumni who aim to promote curiosity and appreciation for dance and make dance more accessible to a wider audience.  

Rinse Cycle focuses on ideas of love and how it impacts the individual mind, and the movement reflects the infatuation and confusion that comes along with falling in love. According to Baird, “There is a lot of push and pull around the center. Each dancer also performs the same exact choreography, but we very rarely look at each other, because we often don’t have an understanding that others may be experiencing similar stories, even if they’re right next to us.” The group also incorporated movement inspired by washing machines, such as tumbling, rolling, and changing direction and levels.  

This is Baird’s first foray into dance film, which she hopes will make dance more approachable. “With film, there is no need to buy a ticket, go to the theatre, read the program, or find a seat. You can watch and appreciate dance from wherever you are, and there is no experience required,” Baird explained. She was intrigued by aspects of the filmmaking process such as editing and camera angles that affect choreography in ways not normally seen in more traditional performances. The project also allowed her to collaborate with peers in the dance world to create new work outside of her role as an educator.   

Drift Dance Collective is made up of Baird, along with four other Wooster alumni, including Maria Witt-Kelly ’17, Gabrielle Croes ’17, Madi Hunt ’17, and Claire Smrekar ’19, all of whom met as members of the Wooster Dance Company. Although they had a variety of majors, including theatre and dance, neuroscience, and English, respectively, and have since moved into different career paths ranging from physical therapy to special education to law, they wanted to continue to keep dance as part of their lives. “We believe that artistic expression, physical movement, and dance specifically are not things that should be reserved for a particular age or demographic,” Baird said. Using modern, postmodern, and contemporary techniques, the dancers work collaboratively to create art, in contrast to a more traditional, hierarchical company structure. 

Baird hopes to incorporate assignments into her classes that draw on what she has explored in Drift Dance Collective, such as collaborative choreography, dance filmmaking, and accessibility. The collective is planning further content, including a new dance film to be released in winter and is working to bring dance to the Northeast Ohio community through classes and workshops. For more information on Drift Dance Collective and their work, visit their website. 

Image: Emily Baird ’16, Maria Witt-Kelly ’17, Gabrielle Croes ’17, Madi Hunt ’17, and Claire Smrekar ’19 performing as a part Drift Dance Collective. Photo provided by Emily Baird.

Posted in News on October 9, 2023.