Senior Spotlight on Kathleen Smith: What Dance and Wilton Dance Studio Mean to Her
The Wilton Dance Studio is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To highlight what the studio and dance have meant to its community, we're sharing stories this week from current and past students. Be sure to come to the annual Spring Show this Sunday, June 8th at 1 pm or 4:30 pm to share the students' work and joy in dance.
In this post, graduating Wilton High School Senior Kathleen Smith, who plays a lead role in this year's Spring Shows for Wilton Dance Studio, tells us in her own words about what dance has meant to her.
What is your favorite memory of performing in shows with the Wilton Dance Studio?
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One of my favorites occurred during one of our Nutcracker performances, when I was probably in 8th or 9th grade. The dolls start the ballet on stage right behind the curtain. So the three of us were standing on stage, waiting for the audience to
take their seats. There was still some light because the lights don't go out until
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right before the performance begins. So the girl who was the ballerina doll decided to sit in the rag doll box, which is basically a cube on wheels with one side that opens into a ramp. Right as she got settled, the lights went off. So we all panicked and scrambled to get her out of the box before the curtain went up. We did make it. Barely.
When did you start dancing and what kept you involved all these years?
I've been dancing for 13 years, so I guess I started when I was 5. I started because my best friend danced. But she left to play other sports and I stayed. I love dance, both the mental and physical challenges. I play multiple instruments, so I love the musical aspect. Also, my choice of sports is limited since I'm not very good at throwing and catching things. Mostly, though, I just love the girls I dance with. We are as close as best friends with a really small personal space bubble and virtually no filter. At all. Or sense of decency. Having to do quick changes in a room with 12 other girls does that to you.
What has dance taught you that you didn't expect?
Dance has taught me a lot about discipline, and about how my body works and moves. It's also made me more social, because I am really shy and quiet in school. At the studio I am much more talkative.
What has been special about Wilton Dance Studio for you?
I love WDS primarily for the people. We are such a random group who would have almost nothing in common if we weren't dancing together. But we're all so close and so supportive of each other. Nobody's a drama queen or a prima Donna. We don't really get jealous, or at least not maliciously. Yes, we all want Elyse's legs and Jackie's left foot, but that's just a fact of life. Hanging out in the dressing room before shows is basically the best part of my year. We have so many traditions and just have so much fun. Plus it's not a WDS show unless costumes are being sewn the day-of, and somebody is choreographing their solo in the back hallway.
How will you keep dance a part of your life over the next few years?
I will continue taking dance classes in college, as my school has a pretty good dance program and a really big studio (with sprung floors!).
Anything else you’d like to share?
I'm so excited for the spring show, but I know I will be holding back tears during St Elmo's Fire (the closing song), because I just don't want it to end. This is going to be the hardest thing for me to leave.
