Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorcas Roman.
Hi Dorcas, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my professional journey in the arts about three decades ago in my native Island of Puerto Rico. I was pursuing my studies in theater when I decided to take a movement class to become a better actors and from there, my career in dance started to flourish. I travel as a dancer and actor to different parts of the United States, South America and the Caribbean. During that time, I was training in different theatre techniques as well as improvisation, Contact Improvisation and Release Technique. I graduated with a BA in theatre from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras and I was extremely excited when I got accepted in the Dance Department at UCLA, where I completed my MFA with honors. During my time in UCLA, I was able to trained in many styles, including, Graham, Horton, West African and Flamenco, which I still incorporated in my work. I created a dance theatre company called Dorcas Roman Dance Theatre /DRDT. I have been able to travel around the world teaching, choreographing and presenting my work. I have three certifications in diverse modalities of Yoga, which I also now incorporate in my work and my teachings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been extremely fortunate to have a wonderful career as dancer, choreographer and professor. Collaborating with many artists from different disciplines.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself an educator and choreographer. I explore stories via movement and text. I mix dance, theatre, yoga, contact improvisation, release, and Horton technique in my work. My pieces are also inspired by not only my personal experiences but those of my dancers, making each piece unique to the cast it was created with. I am proud to see my dancers grow and to experience a new passion for dance when they realized their potential and how much they have to give. I believe what makes my work different is my approach to storytelling and the process in which I create. I let the piece flourished in the studio. I instigate the dancers with concepts, strategies and games they can fell safe and challenged at the same time. I take each dancer’s strengths and challenges as an opportunity for them to see themselves in the work. They collaborate with me bringing movements, ideas, questions and of course their commitment, artistry and creativity as we approach the work in a playful and thoughtful manner. I think my biggest contribution is the sense of community that is created with the cast of every piece I create.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To stay open and flexible to change, to keep learning, to be humble, to be able to adapt and to listen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dorcasroman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorcasdrdt_/
- Facebook: https://vimeo.com/user30704452
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorcasdrdt
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@dancedrdt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dkta19
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-433882809
- Other: https://www.su.edu/blog/2016/08/03/dorcas-roman-rodriguez-joins-dance-faculty/
Image Credits
Vera Lin Daniel Rhode En Lin Steve Rosa Rafael Marxuach
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