Dance and Film in Brazil
One of the fantastic opportunities of attending Utah Tech is the chance to participate in our study abroad programs! In late February, our Dance and Digital Film departments collaboratively took students on a 10-day trip to Brazil, exploring the ideas of storytelling and movement. Before they left, students participated in weekly meetings throughout the spring semester to help prepare to travel and orient them to Brazilian culture, such as basic conversational Portuguese and customs they may encounter while traveling, along with Brazilian movement, historical contexts. During their travel to Brazil, they planned to participate in cultural excursions, digital film practices, and movement experiences including the Brazilian martial art capoeira and forró dance from local instructors passing forward these rich art forms. After weeks of preparation and practice, the group boarded a plane heading to the largest country in South America. Faculty members JB Shilcutt (Assistant Professor of Dance) and Jeremy Bolden (Assistant Professor of Film) led the excursion.
The students had a great time and came back excited! This was the second Utah Tech Dance/Digital Film joint study abroad trip. The group traveled to Itu, a historic city and municipality in the state of São Paulo. They returned to the same area as last year with friends who were excited to receive them back to their city. There they had the opportunity to take workshop classes on capoeira with capoeirista great, Mestre Camisa. In addition, the students made connections with the surrounding community as they explored the ideas fundamental to the trip.
Students saw benefits as being able to step outside their usual bubbles to look at things more deeply. It gave experience to practice their chosen art forms in a new country and share this with people they’ve never met (and receive inspiration as they share their work as well). They were also excited about the professional credits, making comments such as, “It’s cool to say I made a documentary in Brazil.”
Students said that people may not realize it is a friendship/partnership, but without one or the other program it would be disconnected. Film likes to connect with passion and dancers are passionate about their craft. It’s a good relationship to bring the interesting parts together with the back and forth. They enjoyed the ways that they could support each other collaboratively.
“My study abroad in Brazil was filled with joy, laughter, long nights, and new family and friends—an all-around beautiful experience. It taught me that it’s okay to slow down, to be present, and to share life with those you hold close, no matter how long you’ve known them or how long you have. Looking back, I feel nostalgia for those moments, and a hope and longing to return, to relive and share them once more,” shared Johana Florian, a Dance student.
By Allyson Twitchell, Marketing Coordinator for the College of the Arts
Photography by Jeremy Bolden