Michelle Olson
i. I work as a: Choreographer/Performer
ii. I do this creative work because:
It is fulfilling and I am excited and happy to always be given the opportunity to express my thoughts/ideas and emotions through performance and dance.
It is fulfilling and I am excited and happy to always be given the opportunity to express my thoughts/ideas and emotions through performance and dance.
iii. Personal qualities that help me in my work are:
Patience, trust and generosity.
Patience, trust and generosity.
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iv. The greatest challenges around doing this work are:
Making the actually “thing” happen. The administration, planning and grant-writing that needs to happen to get in the rehearsal room and on the stage.
Making the actually “thing” happen. The administration, planning and grant-writing that needs to happen to get in the rehearsal room and on the stage.
v. Creative childhood hobbies:
Always dancing…..lots of drawing and painting.
Always dancing…..lots of drawing and painting.
vi. Other creators who inspire you:
Really the ones that do the work for the love of it, whether it is a very small theatre or a big civic theatre or a project that happens in the community, they are equally excited for it all.
Really the ones that do the work for the love of it, whether it is a very small theatre or a big civic theatre or a project that happens in the community, they are equally excited for it all.
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vii. Training that has helped me in this career:
Indigenous dance training in Banff, working with David MacMurray Smith, and Performance Arts Management at Capilano University.
Indigenous dance training in Banff, working with David MacMurray Smith, and Performance Arts Management at Capilano University.
viii. A common trap that can hurt people in this career:
The need for approval, especially awards and recognition. It is nice to have these moment and be grateful when they do come around, but it should not be the only thing that feeds your work and drive.
The need for approval, especially awards and recognition. It is nice to have these moment and be grateful when they do come around, but it should not be the only thing that feeds your work and drive.
ix. Some proud career moments:
Having my work on the MainStage at the NAC, having my elders come watch me perform, being on stage with 50 other Yukon First Nations performers for the Olympic performance.
Having my work on the MainStage at the NAC, having my elders come watch me perform, being on stage with 50 other Yukon First Nations performers for the Olympic performance.
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x. If you want to work in my field, I suggest that you:
Train, be inquisitive, look outside your own art genre for inspiration, have conversations with other artists.
Train, be inquisitive, look outside your own art genre for inspiration, have conversations with other artists.
xi. A professional goal I have for the future:
Tour to New Zealand and Australia.
Tour to New Zealand and Australia.
xii. If you want to see my work, go to:
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www.creatorsvancouver.com
Photos: Erik Zennstrom. Salmon Girl. Carousel Theatre
