Dark Habits: Gary Schaufeld Q&A with Kristina Hanna

Spotlight on Gary Schaufeld: NEW STAR RISING

By Kristina Hanna

This is how “The City Chose Me”, a witty, surprising, even charming rap song, begins. But you might not guess that the man spinning these hot lyrics is none other than our very own, Gary Schaufeld. He goes on to describe himself:

All true, but I daresay he’s still being modest. A man of many talents, he is the newest and youngest member of our company. Since the day he joined, he’s not only responsible for bringing his bright, fresh dance style to the picture, he also makes us laugh each and every day. Luckily, I was able to catch my dance partner between as he says, GTL (Gym. Tanning. Laundry.). As we enjoyed our favorite caffeinated beverages at Aroma Espresso Bar, we chatted about all things important: dance, life, passion, fulfillment, and hairspray. Here are the highlights:

K: How have you been enjoying the process?

G: It’s been a very long process, a lengthy, meaty one. This piece has gone through a few lives, has been reborn a few times. Every new place we rehearse breathes a new life into what we’re doing, whether it’s the beaches of Santa Barbara or the mountains of Colorado. Even if it’s just a different studio in New York City, it dictates and influences the process a lot. Time goes by very fast. It’s great to really invest, long term in something.

K: Being in the studio and making new movement for a piece like this, what parts of the process are most fun for you?

G: Larry celebrates our individuality so it’s great to be able to give yourself and become an integral part of what we are creating at any moment.

K: What do you bring to the process that is distinctly Gary?

G: We all have our own backgrounds when it comes to the type of movement we were brought up with. I have a bit of a hip hop and commercial background. Larry is always touching on the idea of pop culture and I feel like I’m able to bring my pop sensibility to the process.

K: As an artist you pull from areas of your life for inspiration. What’s particularly interesting to you now?

G: I don’t know. I feel like I’m going through cycles of life. It’s been two years since I’ve graduated. I’m 22 years old and I’m trying to make it work in the city. I feel like my thirst for stability in life is my driving force right now. Just trying to keep myself emotionally, intellectually, socially balanced.

K: How do you do that? How does anyone do that!? (We both laugh.) We’re talking about dark habits and a lack of balance, how do you find it?

G: I definitely need my “me” time. Whether it’s just taking a walk, or treating myself to a Bikram yoga class, or tanning, those 15 minutes that you can give yourself to let it all go. We’re also really lucky as dancers to have the outlet of being able to go to a rehearsal and let it all out. I use rehearsal as my church, my meditation. I leave my life at the door and then I feel better afterwards. I channel my negative energy through rehearsal.

K: The more I talk to you guys, the more I think about this piece, how we are trying to make a work that’s an experience not just a show, I realize that every experience I have can help feed my art, to reawaken my own senses, that one’s life and one’s art don’t have to be separate.

G: There is no difference. Every human being has the potential to be a dancer. Dance is an instinctual, animalistic thing. Life and dance are one and the same. That’s a principle that KEIGWIN + COMPANY holds true which I love. The process is 90 percent of a piece, you’re spending hours and hours and hours with people in the studio. You need to love the people you work with or what’s the point? What’s the point if every second isn’t treasured like every moment that’s put forth on stage?

K: What do you want the audience to take away from this piece?

G: If they can relate to even three minutes of it, find a connection between their life and the life that we are making on stage then it would all be worth it to me. We’re putting forth a scene, one I feel we live a lot, we’re 20 somethings/ 30 somethings living in the city doing the night life thing having our own dark habits. We’re showing them a window into our lives, so I hope they’ll be able to see themselves in us.

Gary’s 5 Words for 2011:

SPONTANEITY. COLOR. INDIVIDUALITY. PERSEVERANCE. HAIRSPRAY.

Photos by Matt Murphy, Rehearsal Photos by Whitney Browne