With a deep passion for dance, choreographer and dance teacher Katie Clark has devoted herself to the art form in multiple dynamic forms, ranging from musical theatre choreography to athletic dance. Committed to bringing excitement through movement, she has become a vibrant force in the Andover community, inspiring students to explore dance in new and unexpected ways thus expanding their creative horizons.
Clark recently stepped out of her comfort zone and onto the stage of different musicals and projects. Though she previously taught the beginners dance course Dance 1, and dance as a sport, Clark has recently embraced diverse roles that tested her versatility.
“This year, things have been mixed up a little bit. I was on the [THD]901 project for Chicago, the musical. Now, I’m doing Mamma Mia. These are things that are, I suppose, outside of the normal realm, outside of my wheelhouse,” said Clark.
Clark’s experiences working with a diverse range of students and performers have taught her valuable lessons about the art of teaching and directing, particularly the importance of adapting her approach to each unique situation. In preparation for the Spring Musical, she has had to carefully adjust her process to fit the needs of the production.
“With something like a mainstage musical, like Mamma Mia, it’s helpful for me to map out pathways first, and then go back and fill in the gaps with movement phase work. If I’m choreographing for a concert dance production or if I’m putting together material for class, I find it more helpful to do the reverse. I start with phrase work and then consider how that fits into the space as a secondary consideration,” said Clark.
Even as a teacher, Clark acknowledges that she hasn’t learned it all. She often finds it challenging to let her actions speak for themselves, and instead tends to explain movements with words. This is something she’s been actively working on, having realized that her students can typically mimic movements more effectively by watching, rather than relying on mental visualization.
“I think one of the biggest things, one of my biggest challenges, actually, is to do less talking and more doing. Less talking and more demonstrating. That’s a big challenge for me and it tends to be actually more useful. Not everyone learns this way, but the majority of people can watch and imitate before they can translate verbal information into their bodies,” said Clark.
Reflecting on her time at Andover, Clark pins down her favorite part of being a dance instructor. To her, the intertwined forms of work and personal interest give her motivation and gratification. Interacting with and seeing growth in her students while sustaining her love for choreography and dance allows Clark to cherish teaching.
“I like that [teaching dance] keeps me tuned in and active. It’s something that [gets me moving daily], and the fact that it can be the thing that I’m here to devote my time to is wonderful. I love helping a student work through a challenge and then finding an “aha” moment and making a discovery. That is something that kind of keeps me going,” said Clark.
