#kcodmusa

Nicole Wolcott, Co-Founder of KEIGWIN + COMPANY meditates on the meaning of representing America as a cultural, citizen diplomat in Africa, 2 days before the company arrives in Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire.

Written by Nicole Wolcott

Now that we are two days out from Africa, the reality of the trip is starting to set in. Thus far, all of my mental preparation has gone to toward the ramifications of leaving my five-year-old for a month. I have all of her babysitters squared away, the guilt trip to Disney World set (the plans for which feel just about as epic as a trip to Côte D'Ivoire), and her first sleepover up on the calendar for March 10th. She is more fixated on the sleepover than me leaving. Which is the point, I guess, but also shines a light on how little she understands about what is coming up.

To be honest, I don't have a much better grasp on it myself. I think many Americans see the whole continent of Africa as something that can be filed under one letter in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Even the maps of the world skew our perception, as they are mostly flat and diminish its size, so that Iceland looks like a geographic contender. My personal root image of Africa is from my childhood sitting crossed legged on a shag carpet next to my sister watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. I have been fortunate to have more educated exposure as I have traveled through life, but how does one even pack for a month travel to three different countries, in three different geographic regions and different time zones? I start by placing a power adapter in the bottom of my giant suitcase. It would be nice to have a mental adapter.

What or how do you communicate through dance? Dance for me tends to be a personal outlet. When I'm going through heartbreak, I think that's when I make some of my best work. I love performing in pieces or creating pieces that are entertaining and funny. There's nothing like a strong laughter coming from your audience.

Hometown: Tyngsboro, MA

Age: 28

Education: High School, Walnut Hill School; BFA, Tisch School of the Arts at NYU

Three words that describe your choreography or movement: Athletic, Entertaining, Powerhouse

Your definition of dance: Dance is its own language. It's a way for people to express themselves and introduce emotion found within others. It's a way to spark conversation.

Favorite dance scene from a movie. Go: Kevin Bacon's solo scene in Footloose. It. Is. Hilarious. When he does a giant on the conveniently placed high bar... I lose it. Every time.

All of the dance hats you wear: Performer, Teacher, Choreographer, Mentor

Non-dance work you do: I'm very fortunate to be able to support myself through all aspects of dance.

Major influences: Larry Keigwin, Paul Taylor, Pamela Pietro, my peers.

What does American dance mean to you? It means working hard to pursue an incredible dream.

What’s one thing you’re nervous about with these international residencies? Honestly, at the risk of sounding completely selfish, my safety.

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? I'm excited for the chance to experience other cultures.

What is your most memorable moment as an artist, thus far? It seems impossible to choose. Performing at the Kennedy Center in collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra was a dream come true that I didn't even know I had. To perform on stage with the orchestra behind us was incredible. The sound alone was unlike anything I've ever heard or felt.

Tell us one thing you think these international residencies will give you that you wouldn’t be able to get any other way: The experience of a lifetime. I feel so fortunate to be part of this opportunity. I love to travel and have quite a bit in my lifetime, but I'm not sure I would have had the courage to go to Africa. This is the perfect opportunity to go! It definitely won't be taken for granted!

In the form of a haiku, describe a memorable dance performance:

Visibly Striking

Dancing in the Museum

Guggenheim Bilbao

Tell us what your 10 year-old self would think if you explained your career to them today: I think my ten year old self would be pretty impressed. I'm impressed at 28, hah! Not in a cocky way, but from a place of working hard and not looking at each opportunity as a measure of success, but how fortunate I have been to experience everything I have.

If you were a superhero, how would you save the world with dance? I would supply endless funds to the arts.

When did you choose dance as a career? (Or when did it choose you?) When I was about ten, I had to choose between dance and gymnastics and if I wanted to pursue one more aggressively. I realized I only really loved floor in gymnastics, so I chose dance. It just progressed from there.

When you were told you’d be traveling to Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire, what was the first thing you researched or wanted to know? I think I'm interested in our safety and where we will be staying. I realize that might be shallow of me, but with the way the world is today, traveling has me on edge.

What do you feel is your responsibility as a DMUSA participant? What do you think of using dance as a form of diplomacy? I think it's incredibly important to understand that we as dancers are not just representing Keigwin + Company on this trip, but DMUSA. I feel it is my responsibility to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism while taking full advantage of the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture and share my passion of dance. It will be amazing to utilize dance as a form of communication in a situation where it will truly be the common ground. I think using dance as a form of diplomacy is the perfect example of what the world needs more of.