RoseAnne Spradlin recently was selected as 2014 United States Artist Fellow, which inspires current Bobcats to strive for greatness.
There’s more to a career in dance than simply slipping on a pair of shoes and stepping on stage. It takes a creative mind, a sense of business and an inspiration.
Ohio University students studying dance, such as Annie Scott, are becoming inspired by successful dance alumni through the College of Fine Arts. Recently RoseAnne Spradlin, an Ohio University dance alumna from 1983, has been selected as a 2014 United States Artist Fellows, due to her influential contributions to choreography.
Ten dance alumni are currently on the distinguished alumni list as of this year. This list was started in 2001 by the College of Fine Arts to provide recognition for outstanding alumni in each school. Spradlin was added to the list in 2004.
“As a student, it’s fantastic to say that (distinguished alumni) came from the same place,” Annie said. “I have just as many opportunities that they do. As long as I use every possible source that the department has given me.”
Spradlin’s work branches from the Judson-era dance lineage of pedestrianism. She is particularly interested in using theories regarding body consciousness. She has received several grants, fellowships and awards in the past for her work.
With Spradlin, the award not only came with the recognition of one of America’s most accomplished and innovative artist, but also an unrestricted award of $50,000.
Madeleine Scott, the founding director of the School of Dance, Film and Theater, said that the dance division’s curriculum really distinguishes OU. This department offers something that addresses the creative role of the dancers’ choreography, which carries over to many fields, such as public relations and management.
“Particularly the way that RoseAnne has been doing (her career). She’s been doing it as an independent artist,” Madeleine said. “Which means that she’s responsible for every single aspect of the creation of the work and its production. Which is really critical, and that’s something that our students learn here.”
“I think it’s fantastic, it looks really well on our program,” Annie said. “So hopefully — based on a funding standpoint — that gives us a little more funding since it shows how important our program is.”
Annie said that she enjoys the dance division for the wide variety of classes that she can take and the opportunities that she has with the department that she’ll take with her for her future career.
“(A career in dance is) not just based on how hard you choreograph or how well you perform; you have to have somewhat of a business sense,” said Debbie McAdoo, assistant to the director of dance. “And I think that the students are beginning to realize that, and the faculty are beginning to realize the importance of that as well.”
McAdoo has seen the seniors grow through this art and feels very confident that the graduating class will be very successful in their dance careers.
“The seniors this year are incredibly talented young people,” McAdoo said. “It’s a small group, but they’re very pulled together and well rounded, and they seem to be organized. And I feel that they’re getting a business sense of dance as well as the talent.”
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