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UA student produces, funds dance concert

For some college students, the threat of the real world is a distant threat, even after graduation. But for dancer Elaine Husted, the real world caught up with her nearly two years ago.

Husted, a 29-year-old fine arts graduate student, will graduate in May upon completion of her final project, a dance concert titled "Imenod."

"Graduate students do not have to do a full concert, but that was my choice," she said.

Husted added that the University of Arizona's dance department does not help pay for the show. Everything from theater rental to costume design to is paid for right out of her own pocket.

"This gives me an authentic experience because in the real world, I would have to pay for everything," she said. "This is a great learning experience."

Husted, whose degree concentration is in dance, pedagogy and choreography, does get to keep all profit from ticket sales.

Dance majors at the UA are required to complete a series of projects before graduation: a progress project, candidacy project and final project.

Because the dance department's final project is such a key part of graduation, Husted has been working on "Imenod" since fall 1998. Since last semester, she has held rehearsals one to two times a week for up to two hours at a time.

In this last week before the concert, Husted has held practices for individual pieces nearly every day.

"I've learned a lot about not waiting until the last minute with choreography," Husted said. "Most pieces have been finished long enough that they (the dancers) are not still learning."

Husted said the biggest difficulty surrounding the production of the concert has been having enough time with her dancers.

"I wish I could have them longer or more of them," she said. "The dancers in our department are very lucky to be very busy. We all have to share time."

Putting the costumes together has also proved to be a difficult feat.

Husted said a dance student must purchase costume material according to the way it drapes on their body as opposed to its price or texture - which adds a new dimension to financial constraints.

Husted said this makes finding the appropriate fabric color and weight very difficult.

The crew of "Imenod" has seen its share of problems as well.

"We've had lots of difficulties. This is my first time being in charge, and it's been stressful," said Jennifer Shiplet, lighting designer and stage manager of Imenod. "You come in ready to work and spend an hour-and-a-half trying to get something to run."

Despite technical problems, Husted's dancers still agree "Imenod" has been an optimal learning event.

"She's an experienced dancer but still someone you can relate to. She wants us to go all out and not hold back," said undecided freshman Callie Christiansen. "It's not a rigid and set kind of performance."

Husted said the choreography in "Imenod" will cover a wide range of style. She incorporated tap, jazz, modern and ballet pointe work.

As "Imenod's" artistic director, choreographer, costume designer, administrator, marketer, contractor and even a dancer in her own show, Husted has learned how to balance a multitude of tasks in preparation for the working world.

"This has all been very stressful but also very exciting," she said. "I'm glad I did it."

After graduating, Husted plans to move to Houston where she will pursue employment with the Houston Ballet Academy, the University of Houston and Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.