“Dance and the arts in general, are such a powerful tool for advocacy, agency, and diplomacy that it can go beyond its original sort of use and go into new places and new spaces.” – Laurie M. Taylor, Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington
RECONNECTING WITH CULTURE THROUGH DANCE
ABOUT MY ONE MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
by Clara Thompson
Be it for spiritual purposes, fitness, or just for fun, the art of dance can transcend language as a tool to share culture and to express oneself, and nobody knows that better than Laurie Taylor. Using her talents as a dancer and choreographer, Taylor brings the diverse population of the University of Texas at Arlington together in a way words can’t.
Taylor fell in love with dance as a child during a family trip to Mexico City, after watching a performance of a folkloric, traditional dance. The colorful, elaborate clothes of the dancers drew her in so much that the dancers even invited her onto the stage.
After a tragic car accident when she was 12 years old, dance became more than just an activity for Taylor. It became a tool for her to process her grief for her sister, who had passed away during the accident. Movement became her method of healing and growth.
Taylor specializes in forms of dance that originated from the African diaspora – much of which was a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Fusing African diasporic forms with the movements associated with classical European dance, Taylor creates what she calls fusion movement vocabulary.
Taylor’s approach to dance helps students at the University of Texas at Arlington reconnect with their cultures by instilling the confidence needed to go against what might be considered “normal”. Being Liberian-American, Taylor understands the struggle of trying to fit in with your peers while also trying to stay connected to your culture. She acts as a role model and example for her students, so that they too can stay connected with their cultures instead of abandoning them.
Taylor’s mission to help strengthen people’s ties to their culture doesn’t stop at national lines. Working with famous dancers and choreographers from around the world, Taylor just never stops moving. To see what she’s doing now and to keep up with her upcoming projects, follow her Instagram page: @lauriemichelletaylor.
Meet Clara Thompson
Hi, I’m Clara! I am a 21-year-old Journalism senior at the University of Texas at Arlington. I first began writing journalistic pieces in my high school student newspaper, where I was part of a distinguished duo of student journalists that specialized in in-depth and investigative writing, separate from the general newspaper.
I specialize in the topic of civil rights, particularly in gender and LGBTQ+ equality. I am employed at the Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies program at UT Arlington, where I work with women’s rights leaders and leading researchers. In my free time, I enjoy baking, video games, and exercise.
About AMA+UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Spring 2023 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by the museum’s mission, values, and exhibitions.
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
