We were lucky to catch up with Anastasia Waters recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anastasia, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
Choreographers block. It is certainly something I am familiar with. As Artistic Director of imPULSE dance project, and a dance teacher I find myself in constant need to put out new work. When one imPULSE dance project ends, we are on to the next one, and often planning the next project and season while in the midst of one. It can be a challenge to stay inspired, and keep the creative juices flowing, but I have acquired some tools to push through these times. One of those tools, is challenging myself to choreograph in a different way, and change up my process. I like to work collaboratively with my dancers to escape my own movement vocabulary habits. I do this by giving them tasks during the choreographic process. This not only includes them and their voices in the work, but also helps create a plethora of interesting movement vocabulary to play with.
With as many projects I have created at this point, it is often challenging for me to come up with an inspiring concept to even begin a work. In this same case I like to give myself challenges to boost creativity. Most recently, imPULSE dance project completed our MYSTERY BOX Series, which started because I was completely out of ideas! This choreographic challenge began with the dancers of imPULSE putting a random item in a box. Us choreographers drew from the box, and whatever item we pulled is what sparked inspiration for the work. I pulled a spool of thread, and a pomander! This not only helped hone my focus from the overwhelming possibilities out there but initiated me creating two works of art from something I never would have dreamed of otherwise!
These are just some examples of the tools, challenges, games I play to keep myself inspired, and putting out work!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the Artistic Director of imPULSE dance project, a professional contemporary dance company I founded in 2012. We just completed our 11th season. I learned early on in my dance training that making dance was a huge passion of mine. Even as a child, making up dances was one of my favorite pastimes. This passion was further developed at Texas Christian University where I received my BFA in modern dance. I knew after that I wanted to focus most of my energy on the choreographic side of dance, and that is why I began imPULSE dance project. This company has allowed me the opportunity to CREATE, CREATE, CREATE! It has given me the opportunity to put my work in front of countless audiences either through our shows, or being a part of art festivals, and other guest appearances. One of the most special parts of this company for me as we go into our 12th season, is looking back at how we have grown, and all of the different projects we have been able to put together. It is rather humbling. There have been so many amazing dance artists that have come through the company. It has been a blessing to be able to make these connections and learn from these different artists that become a part of the imPULSE family.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In beginning a dance company, and keeping it producing long term, resilience, adaptability and problem solving has been the most important qualities for me to possess. For anyone wanting to pursue something whether it’s starting a company, project, or any career venture resilience is key. It can be easy to run into roadblocks in the beginnings, and want to quit. There were many obstacles at the beginnings of imPULSE dance project, lack of funding, lack of experience, and thus difficulties in maintaining dancers, and others that saw the same vision of the future, rejections, etc. But had I allowed those things to stop me at the start of it all, I would not have been able to experience the growth and accomplishments of imPULSE over the years, and see us arrive closer and closer to that vision I had at the start. Resilience has been key throughout the whole journey in keeping imPULSE dance project as a consistent presence in the DFW dance scene.
With resilience, comes adaptability. The ability to be able to adjust to new conditions, has been a skill completely necessary in keeping the company thriving. The most obvious example is the adapting that took place during covid. Covid caused rehearsals to come to a stop, and shows to be canceled. How do you keep a dance company present in the community when work is forced to stop? We took to virtual classes, rehearsals, and creating dances for screen, and were ready to take the stage again the instant the theaters opened up again. But the adapting didn’t stop there. We are often called to make quick adjustments when unexpected changes to our performance venues occur, dancers get injured and dances have to be quickly adjusted. The important thing is to be able to use the resources you have available in order to adapt when necessary, and not get stuck on a path that is no longer working.
In order to adapt seamlessly, one must have problem solving skills. What is the solution to this obstacle? Is a constant question that needs answering in running a company, and in each and every one of the projects we produce. There are always unexpected obstacles we face in each artistic venture we embark on.
Resilience, adaptability, and problem solving are skills I have had to sharpen in the years running this company. But not giving up and being open to travel paths unexpected are what has kept imPULSE alive and thriving for over a decade.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I think nurturing your strengths while investing in improving areas of weakness helps us constantly grow, learn, and improve. However, I’ve learned that bringing together a diverse team with different strengths and abilities helps pick up the slack for each other in areas of weakness. This allows me to focus and highlight what I know I excel at, while having the confidence I have a team that can cover my areas of weakness for the greater good of the company. This is not me succumbing to my weaknesses, but being aware enough to know when to let those who are stronger in that area take over. This aids in the overall wellbeing of a company when we can all contribute according to our personal strengths and abilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.impulsedanceproject.org/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/impulsedancepro
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/impulsedanceproject
- Other: https://anastasiajwaters.wixsite.com/anastasiawaters
Image Credits
Meredith McInis Nancy Loch
