Broadway Ball benefits new CSU dance program

Columbus State University is tackling yet another dominion of art.

The new CSU dance program began classes this fall and has already seen a 60 percent increase in growth over its first semester.

Karyn Tomczak is the first Vicki Jiles Flanagan Distinguished Professor of Dance at CSU. In addition to teaching classes, she has played a foundational role in the development of the program.

Rex Whiddon, director of development for CSU’s College of the Arts, has been instrumental in gaining support for the new dance program and is hard at work planning its first benefit.

Tomczak and Whiddon recently corresponded with Sunday Arts reporter Carrie Beth Wallace to discuss the new dance program, and what patrons can expect from CSU’s Broadway Ball.

Q:What attracted you to come to CSU to launch this program?

A: Coming in on the ground floor of a new program was the attraction for me, not to mention being able to collaborate with Broadway legend Ann Reinking. Then, when I came to Columbus and saw the beautiful arts-filled Uptown area, I knew this was the place for me.

Q: What can you tell me about the first few months of the CSU dance program?

A: I feel very welcomed here and it’s been busy and very exciting!

The Dance Minor Curriculum has been solidified and new brochures have been designed for distribution; so, recruiting is a top priority. I have reached out to the local dance studios and high schools to let them know we are here. I attended the Atlanta Performing Arts College Fair and taught at the Georgia Theatre Conference in Augusta.

Back in a September, I took some theatre students to the Atlanta Alliance Theatre to see Broadway-bound musical, “The Prom,” starring Tony-award winner Beth Leavel. Students got to take in a talk-back with cast members and take photos with Leavel. I hope to bring her to CSU for a master class in the future.

I have also been working with the Dance Program Board of Advisers on our “Broadway Ball” fundraiser, which will be on Dec. 2 at the Rivermill Event Centre. I have been working on a few surprises for the event, and can barely hold in my enthusiasm. Soon, we will be on to our next fundraiser, Spring Swing, scheduled for April 29.

In addition, I have my regular teaching load of four classes, choreography for the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof” and a Rockette-style dance number for the opening of WinterFest on the main campus on Nov. 29.

Q: What has it been like seeing this new program blossom?

A: Seeing the excitement from the students who can now take a dance class has probably been most rewarding! Just this past week a student said to me, “Will you teach me everything you know? I want to learn it all from you and be almost as good as you.” I’m ready to learn it all!!”

What more can a teacher ask for from their students? They are up for the challenge that dance classes offer and I am ready to give them all I got!

Q: How many students are currently in the CSU Dance Program?

A: In these short first few months, we have already enrolled 17 dance minors and have more than 55 students signed up for five different classes in the spring semester. That is over a 60 percent increase from the fall semester.

Q: In what ways do you expect to see the dance program grow over the next five years?

A: My first goal is to increase the number of students in the dance minor program. Currently, our largest number of students comes from the Department of Theatre, which I expected. But, I think there are many dance lovers in other majors at CSU and I am on the lookout for them!

Once the dance minor enrollment reaches about 100, a dance major is next on the agenda, and I think that is an attainable five-year goal.

With all of this growth, we hope to add more faculty, master classes, and our own state of the art dance facility at the RiverPark Campus.

Additionally, I would like have a dance company and a dance club who will be active in the community. I am also open to student ideas for the program.

Q: How are these dancers being prepared for their careers?

A: Dance teaches many valuable life skills: accountability, teamwork, self-confidence, diligence, discipline and patience. These skills will help them in whatever career they choose.

I have spent most of my life training and performing professionally. I look forward to sharing my dance expertise with students through rigorous technique classes, as well as sharing performing stories for students to learn from.

Lastly, I hope to bring some of mine and Reinking’s connections to CSU, for students to be exposed to different teaching styles and begin building professional relationships.

Q: Does the curriculum of the CSU dance program offer any music classes? For example, for any students wishing to pursue a career in musical theatre?

A: The CSU dance minor is a perfect compliment to any music or theatre student wanting to pursue a career in musical theatre, where you need to be a triple threat: actor, singer, dancer. The dance minor offers classes in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, ballroom, theatre dance as well as dance history, composition and anatomy. Performers must learn early on to take care of their bodies, their instrument, so they can enjoy a long, fulfilling career.

But the dance minor works with other CSU majors: Education, Communications, Business, Physical Education, to name a few. The dance minors of today will be audience members of tomorrow.

Broadway Ball

Rex Whiddon said he is looking forward to the Broadway Ball, and the many ways it will provide funding for future students and faculty members. He was eager to discuss his eagerness to formally introduce the new program to CSU’s patrons at the event.

Q: How will the Broadway Ball directly impact CSU’s new dance program in a way beneficial to the students and future of the program?

The revenue generated by the ball will provide funding to support scholarships for students in the program, fund efforts to recruit the best students to the program, and provide funds to support the quality level of the program. Additionally, it will provide increased visibility so that the community will become aware of the existence of the new program in dance at Columbus State University.

Q: Your keynote speaker is the famous Broadway dancer Ann Reinking. She will be here to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award and has agreed to serve as the Honorary Chairperson for the CSU Dance Program. How did this relationship with Ms. Reinking develop? What do you see her role bringing to the department and your students?

A: Ann Reinking is the sister of Columbus resident, Helen Reinking, so Helen was pivotal in arranging a meeting with Ann to present our plans for the Dance Program. After hearing our visionary plans and visiting downtown Columbus and our vibrant arts community, she enthusiastically agreed to serve as honorary chair of our Dance Program Board of Advisors, and to be the guest of honor for the first Broadway Ball. She has also agreed to serve in an advisory capacity as plans continue to be developed for the dance program, to present periodic master classes for the dance students and to encourage her colleagues in the dance world to become involved in the CSU dance program.

This story was originally published November 26, 2016 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Broadway Ball benefits new CSU dance program."