Nursing Student Finds her Footing in Intergenerational Community on USF Campus

My name is Toni (she/her) and I am a senior nursing major and gerontology minor at USF! For the Spring 2022 semester, I had the pleasure of assisting Liv as an intern for the Dance Generators to fulfill the requirements for my gerontology minor. Throughout the semester, I have been documenting my experience with Dance Generators through monthly journal entries. Journey with me through DG with these reflections!

FEBRUARY REFLECTION

As my first month with Dance Generators comes to an end, I reflect on my experience thus far with this incredibly special and unique community. I joined Dance Generators as a second semester senior in order to fulfill my last four units as a gerontology minor. In addition to helping Professor Schaffer with company related administrative tasks, I have the pleasure of joining in the group’s weekly rehearsals. I have experience as a studio dancer and high school dance team member, but I could tell from the first rehearsal I joined that Dance Generators was a creative experience unlike any other I have participated in. With the beautiful Saint Ignatius Church as our background, we stood in a circle introducing ourselves while also experimenting with movement to describe our winter breaks and how we plan on approaching the semester. The kind of interpretive, unstructured movement these exercises elicit, pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Witnessing Dance Generators company members fully surrender themselves to their bodies through expression was truly inspiring. Once I mindfully overcame the feelings of uncertainty and apprehension with this unfamiliar dance style, it felt cathartic and liberating to let your body move in such unconventional ways. At one point, we all melted into the ground, laying on Gleeson Plaza reaching towards the sky - undoubtedly a memory I will never forget. 

Being able to witness so many different people with varying backgrounds, bodies, and ages come together to create art was moving. I could sense the comradery between the members, ages 20 through 89. I also felt immediately welcomed into the group, as company members were so friendly. At the first rehearsal, one member even offered me her hat and sweater as she was concerned that I was cold. Currently, the company is working on student Heidi Erickson’s senior project, “Returning Forward.” The piece is so touching as the dancers interweave throughout the space and with each other. The dance has a beautiful message. It exemplifies intergenerational relationships, aging through movement, and community. I am very honored to be a part of this remarkable company and am looking forward to the semester ahead! 

Written February 15, 2022 

March Reflection

It has been an exciting month with the Dance Generators! Leading up to the senior projects showcase were many focused rehearsals and last minute adjustments to perfect Heidi’s piece, “Returning Forward.” Seeing the progression of the dance through weekly rehearsals this semester has been such a pleasure. It is almost as if I can see the wheels in Heidi’s head turning as she manifests her creativity and passion through the dancers. As a peer about her same age, it is truly inspiring to see the leadership role she embodies as choreographer. The company functions together so seamlessly, with Liv as the Heidi spearheading rehearsals, and DG members putting their best efforts into the critiques and instructions they receive. On a personal note, like many seniors, I have felt the business and pressures of this last semester of college. In the nursing program, this past month has been busy with fulfilling clinical capstone hours and studying to pass our Exit HESI exam. It is such a comfort to have the consistency of Dance Generators rehearsals every Wednesday night. I know that no matter how chaotic life seems at the moment, coming to rehearsal always leaves me with renewed energy and raised spirits. I look forward to seeing the kind faces of the Dance Generators and can always count on them to greet me with a smile as we quickly exchange updates on each other's weeks. Being in Dance Generators has encouraged me to be mindful of how/where my body carries stress and emotion that builds throughout the week. Participating in the rehearsal warm ups is an incredibly fun way to disconnect from the anxieties of everyday life and find release. 

Before we knew it, it was dress rehearsal night! I loved being able to spend extra time getting to know the company members, and felt like the group grew especially close in the days leading up to the show. It's touching to know how each member, ages 20-89, all leading very different daily lives of class/work, come together to be a part of something they are truly passionate about. After a week of last minute covid scares and much anticipation, the Dance Generators put on a beautiful show. Being both behind the scenes and in the audience was such a delight. Although it seemed as if I had watched the dance many times within the last two months of rehearsals, witnessing it live on show day was a completely different experience. I could feel the dancers channel the energy of the audience and their movements seemed especially emotional and alive. As they made their last bow, I could not be more proud of Heidi, Liv, and the Dance Generators’ work and so honored to have been a part of the community throughout the process. 

Written March 15, 2022

April Reflection

This has been an incredibly fun month with the Dance Generators. Leading up to the Spring Senior Projects Showcase, I have worked on administrative tasks and attended rehearsals taking photos/videos for social media. Arguably my favorite part of interning for the Dance Generators has been getting to know the dancers who have been so kind and welcoming to me. Throughout the rehearsal process leading up to the show, I have grown to feel the community of the team and have witnessed the pure talent and creativity of all Dance Generators, ages 20-89. Following the showcase, I have been able to become more actively involved moving and dancing with the company members. Our fearless leader, Alivia Schaffer is in the midst of a fellowship with Engage.org who have supported both a DG photoshoot and video-shoot. It was so exciting to dance and connect with the dancers I have looked up to and admired these past few months.

We have begun rehearsals for the PASJ End of the Year Showcase! The Dance Generators’ role in the show is to connect the audience from one site specific piece to the next. With Heidi’s direction, I have been able to experiment with movement and explore a type of dancing completely new to me. Much of our work is improv inspired by prompts or direction from Heidi or Liv. As we dance with each other, we reflect on our personal past/growth and the history of our surroundings - becoming almost one with the environment. During one Wednesday rehearsal we all stood at different points on campus individually practicing our movement sequence for the show. In my periphery, I would see students passing by on their way to the cafeteria or dorms, confused by our unconventional presence. In moments like these, I find myself truly experiencing art/performance and also never feeling more part of a team. It was extremely cathartic to be experiencing and interacting with our beautiful campus in ways I could have never imagined. Throughout my experience with the Dance Generators, I find myself pausing in the midst of rehearsal or while making a social media post, thinking about how grateful I am to be part of such a unique and special community. I will be cherishing these next couple weeks as the PASJ End of the Year Showcase approaches!

Written April 15, 2022

May Reflection

This last month of Dance Generators consisted of rehearsals for multiple projects. Liv organized the company into groups for the PASJ Show "Here," ODC Big Red House of Rest, and Growing Together Intergenerational Arts Festival. I joined the group preparing for the Spring 2022 PASJ Show “Here.” Led by Heidi, we spent the month in Kalmanovitz exploring our personal histories and finding a connection to the history of the building. It felt amazing to be a part of the rehearsal process and officially in a Dance Generators performance! Our roles were a combination of improvisation and choreographed movement sequences. It was beyond fun being able to experiment with movement to convey our past and find ways to connect with each other.

As opening night approached, we had long tech and dress rehearsals where I felt the sense of community and love among Dance Generators incredibly strong. We had ample waiting time in between our sections of the show, and it was heartwarming to truly spend time getting to know each member of the group. As I am also in charge of the social media for Dance Generators this semester, we had an absolute blast taking photos and tiktoks in our costumes backstage. The members of this group are so special. They are fearlessly kind, generous in their vulnerability, and incredibly talented. Each performance day was exciting and gratifying in its own way. We had three sold-out shows and the feeling of seeing the work of all the performers come together was indescribable. Standing in solidarity with my fellow company members at the top of Kalmanovitz’s amphitheater, completing our role in the last show, I felt moved and quite emotional reflecting on the end of such a beautiful journey with the Dance Generators.

In my culture, it is not common practice to interact with your elders as equals. Being able to dance and connect with DG’s intergenerational members as peers and team members was something I had little experience with. Dance Generators taught me that dance can always be a part of your life, no matter your age. It helped me feel mindful of how my body carries emotion and how movement acts as an agent of expression as we age through different stages of life. Dance Generators also showed me that with an open heart, you can find community in the most unlikely of places. In just a few weeks, I will graduate college, leave San Francisco, and enter the world of nursing, but I will carry what I have learned from my time with the Dance Generators with me throughout my lifetime.

Written May 15, 2022