Meet Carlene
Carlene has been dancing since before she could walk. At four years old she slipped on her first pink tutu and pair of white tights and never looked back. The dance studio quickly became her home and she grew up training and competing in a variety of disciplines including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre. Carlene has trained at various facilities all over North America, and has continued dancing her way across the country with Broken Rhythms.
Carlene started dancing with Broken Rhythms in 2014 and hasn’t missed a show since. She’s had the opportunity to perform with the company and collaborate with others all over the west coast, and has toured with Broken Rhythms to Edmonton, Toronto and Halifax. When she’s not on stage with BR, she’s in the studio teaching the Jazz and Contemporary programs at Passion and Performance, or working with clients in her nutrition practice at Acacia Integrative Health Clinic in Victoria, BC.
What about the show specifically drew you in and made you want to perform it?
The fact that the show itself is continuously evolving. It started with one idea, and has developed so organically and authentically. Our last show had very specific themes and structures, which definitely made for a very accessible and engaging piece of work that was a lot of fun to perform. However this one is unique because as a dancer there’s a very different kind of connection that comes with performing a show that was developed without any constraints.
What was the funniest moment during rehearsal of the show?
We spend so much time together during show development, that there are inevitably hundreds of funny moments. For most of them you kind of have to be in the room, and be just the right mix of exhausted and caffeinated to really appreciate them, but Dyana quotes have definitely become a bit of a ‘thing’. At the end of the third piece, Dyana had me repeating a phrase of choreo over and over again. After the 12th repeat I stopped and she said “I actually really like that ending, sorry Car. But I wouldn’t mind if you became a little more exhausted.”
What makes this show different from any other show surrounding this topic?
I mean, every show will bring a different perspective and resonate with different people. But this show in particular has an openness that I think pretty well everyone can connect to in some way. You don’t have to understand dance, or art or really even read the program to relate to something in the show. I think that Dyana has done a really good job of putting a tangible expression to feelings that are hard to explain but everybody experiences from time to time.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years as a performer?
Probably running Broken Rhythms. Just kidding :). Seriously though, you’ll never get me off that stage. It doesn’t matter where in the world I end up, I’ll always be training, dancing and performing. At the risk of sounding too cliche, dance is who I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
ThySelf – is the newest piece from Victoria’s innovative indie dance company BR explores anxiety, self-sabotage and identity through dance.
This show is for anyone who has felt lonely in a crowded room or at peace in a moment of solitude.
March 16&17 @7:30 March 17 @2pm
Metro Theatre (1411 Quadra Street)
Get Tickets: http://www.ticketrocket.co/Event/Season/239
Interview: by Sivert Das
Broken Rhythms 