Meet Paige Deets

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Deets.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I was simply obsessed with dance. I admired my dance teachers and was in awe of the dancers I religiously watched on television. As I got older, dance grew into a part of me and shaped what my life is today! I remember my career project in seventh grade when I could only imagine myself as a dancer even though I was not very talented, only danced recreationally, and was COMPLETELY ignorant to the dance world. My mom opened a dance school when I was in high school in the Chicago land area, and that is when my eyes were opened to technical training and choreographic concepts. This is also when I started attending choreographic workshops and showcasing my choreography any chance I got!

As a teenage girl, I did not see myself as the smartest of my friends or as much of a leader. I didn’t even consider myself an artist, however I was constantly dreaming up ideas of choreography for stage or film and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to actually make some of my visions come to life on stage. Let me tell you, some of my ideas have been WEIRD but I was always taught that dance should evoke emotion even if it is negative or weird! Anyways, I ended up getting my B.F.A in dance at Western Michigan University and graduated with some of the most hardworking and talented dancers I have ever met. Don’t underestimate us midwestern concert dancers! This is also where I met my now fiancé, Gage Crismond, who is also one of my most favorite dancers! I moved to Chicago after graduating and trained at Visceral Dance Center in Logan Square which is where I received the best technical training of my life.

For those that don’t know, Chicago dancers are SOLID technicians- it’s pretty amazing to be around. This was an awesome time in my life because I was dancing with two companies as well as experimenting with my own choreography and ended up entering and winning a few choreographic competitions. I got the opportunity to train in Israel with the Kibbutz Contemporary Company and lived there for six months which was a turning point in my career and life. I lived in a dance village were 25 dancers from around the world came to live and train. I was able to dance every single day in the most beautiful and sacred place I had ever been to. I personally feel that Israel is the heart of contemporary dance at this day in age so it was an honor to experience this first hand. I also premiered two works at the Zichri Theatre which was a breathtaking experience.

I moved to Los Angeles after which is where I now live. I absolutely love the dancers out here and am so inspired by the way people dance and perform with complete abandon. I have done concert dance for my entire life so coming to LA to navigate the commercial world has been tricky but I have grown so much as a dancer and my creativity in general is so inspired and alive in this city. I am currently auditioning and working on my own projects and exploring my many passions including fashion and teaching. I have taught for the past eight years and am now teaching in after school enrichment programs and am a dance coach for a team that I absolutely adore!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My experience in a college Dance department was definitely the biggest struggle for me. Insecurity was instilled in me at the time because I felt like there were rules and regulations set to my creativity. I look back with such sadness knowing that I had unlimited recourses dancers and SPACE in the palm of my hand but was so crippled by fear of what others said that I let it affect my art which therefore effected my confidence and self-worth. I personally don’t think anybody’s artwork should be labeled “A” “B” or “C”. Young artists should be encouraged to experiment as much as possible without fear of what a professor might think (because they hold your fate for the next four years). For me, personally, the college dance program made it difficult for me to find my personal voice. In hindsight, I learned a lot of information that I am thankful for but I wouldn’t want any of my student’s confidence to be negatively impacted the way that mine was.

Please tell us about Paige Deets Productions.
My business is myself, Paige Deets! I am a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. I have trained in just about every style and in many locations all over the world which has helped me become the diverse dancer that I am. I am lucky enough to teach students age 2-18 every single week. I specialize in teaching creative movement, modern, jazz, contemporary, and ballet. My absolute favorite thing to teach is choreography and improv classes. What sets me apart from the others is that I know all of the rules and I certainly do teach them, but I also know how to create curriculum that encourages students to be expressive, creative, and open-minded regarding their creativity and personal potential. I consider everything I experience as a professional dancer in relation to how it will inform my teaching in the future. I have approached my training in this way ever since I was a teenager myself and will continue to moving forward!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My family has an old cottage on Lake Michigan that has been in the family for three generations. I have hundreds of memories at that place that I hold dear to my heart. I constantly played in the forest with my brothers and cousins. We would go to the beach and scream at the waves when they weren’t big enough and push each other down big sand dunes. Even when it rained, we would entertain ourselves by making radio shows or playing courtroom! We were absolutely crazy but were always laughing and had so much fun together.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 708-912-1430
• Email: pdeets@yahoo.com

Image Credit:
Michaela Todaro, Alex Cole

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