TDC: A true collective?

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, nearly 250 people, a record number, crowded into Jackson Gym for the Tufts Dance Collective general interest meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the 19 songs that the TDC board had selected. These songs were selected from a group of prospective choreographers who presented the week before. Five board members, who were elected at the end of last year, have the privilege to choose which people choreograph for the show. These songs will be rehearsed separately over the course of the semester, and by the time April rolls around, the students will have learned these dances and be ready to rock out at the two sold out shows.

It is not surprising that this group is so popular on campus. The main idea behind TDC is that any student, regardless of experience, is given the opportunity to express their creativity and interests through dance. There is something that appeals to everyone --- from lyrical to hip-hop dancing. In addition, the level of commitment is amazingly flexible, from Board members who organize and choreograph the show, to dancers who just practice once a week. And if you are not in the show, you are more than likely going to see it, spreading the word that TDC is FUN and worthwhile.

However, I think that while TDC is becoming ever more popular, some of the facets of the organization that make it so unique have been warped. To begin with, the process of selecting the songs for the show was not only biased, but it compromised the ideology upon which TDC was founded. I realize this might seem negative, so let me explain my reasoning.

Over 30 presentations were made to the TDC board at the choreographer's meeting, and only a little more than half were accepted. As a rule, you must be present at the choreographer's meeting for your song idea to be considered. Of the songs that were accepted, four of the songs were listed as TBA. This means that the choreographer had not selected a song for the presentation, and yet they were chosen above others that had. Three of these "TBA" songs will be choreographed by board members.

As a result of this poor planning, two of the songs that were announced at the General Interest Meeting are sung by the same artist, causing the diversity in material to be compromised. I doubt if I am the only person who finds this hypocritical.

There were people at the meeting who had extensive experience and put a lot of thought into their song selection, but they were not given the chance to show their skills and bring something new and exciting to TDC. I understand that as the executive board, it may be difficult to take a chance on someone with whom they have had no previous experience, but it is important to include new material from new people.

Last semester, many people were given the opportunity to choreograph more than one dance for the show. This semester, with so much competition, it would only seem fair that no one would be able to choreograph more than one dance in order to give more people the chance to put one together. However, three people are each choreographing two dances this semester, and two are board members. Now, this is somewhat understandable since all of them are seniors, and they are all incredibly talented choreographers. But considering all the work that the board members are responsible for (organizing the show, choreographing, participating in other dances...) it seems inefficient when the members try to stretch themselves too thin.

I think it might be necessary to consider a choreographer's results from previous semesters if they do have experience. Just because they have choreographed before does not mean that they should automatically receive the honor of choreographing the next semester. Perhaps there could be an evaluation of the choreographer after each semester measuring how successful practices were, if the person was prepared for rehearsal at all, and how the quality of the final product compared to others in the show. In addition, perhaps a couple of spots could be reserved for first-time choreographers, leaving the remaining openings for seniors or other experienced members of TDC.

I know that it is a little late this semester to make any of these changes, and even without them, I am sure the show is going to be amazing just like it always is. I did not write this "to get revenge," because I did not even present a song this semester. In the great scheme of things, it will be difficult to remember who choreographed and who did not. But that just makes it all the more likely that nobody will say anything, nothing will change, and the same pattern will occur in each subsequent semester that TDC puts a show together.

There are choreographers this semester who definitely deserve to put their dance on stage, but there are just as many out there who were unfairly denied that opportunity. I just have a feeling that the show could be even better if we changed the system a bit. If the quality of the show at the end of the semester takes precedence over the individuals who contribute to put it together, then the true purpose of TDC will be achieved -- to make it a true Collective.

Meg Simpson is a Sophomore who has not declared a major.