Today we have 10 Questions With… Hannah Renegar from the USA International Ballet Competition…
1. What is your background in dance?
I graduated from the University of Florida in 2007 with a BFA in Dance Performance. Prior to and during my college career, I studied both classical and contemporary forms of dance and had the opportunity to perform with several pre-professional groups.
2. What are you currently doing in the field?
I am currently working as the Artistic Administrator for the USA International Ballet Competition. My main focus at the moment is preparing for the 2012 Reunion Gala that will take place in July of 2012 in Jackson, MS.
3. How did you first become involved with USA IBC?
Brooke Wyatt, the Artistic Administrator for the 2006 and 2010 competitions, contacted me about interviewing for the Assistant Artistic Administrator position for the 2010 competition. I was offered the position and was thrilled to be able to accept it.
4. What was it like to serve as the Assistant Artistic Administrator?
Serving as the Assistant Artistic Administrator allowed me to experience the administrative side of the arts first hand. I had the opportunity to be involved in the final stages of planning for this event.
I thoroughly enjoyed being involved with competitor and coach communication as dancers from around the world worked through the application process and prepared for their arrival in Jackson.
5. Has it been a big change to work in your new role as the Artistic Administrator? Why or why not?
While I have only been in the Artistic Administrator role since October of 2011, I do feel like I have assumed more responsibility and have been more involved in the decision making process as we prepare for the 2012 Gala. Working as the Assistant Artistic Administrator definitely helped me to prepare for this new role.
6. What are the duties of this position?
The Artistic Administrator acts as a liaison between the IBC, competitors and coaches leading up to and during the competition. He or she reviews competitor applications and organizes the review process for the Selection Committee. Additionally, this person is responsible for researching, developing and executing a variety of ancillary events that surround the competition. The Artistic Administrator also oversees many of the artistic considerations through the competition, including assisting in the planning and staging of the competitions opening ceremonies, galas and three rounds of the competition.
7. What do you enjoy the most about this position?
There are many aspects of this position that I enjoy; however, the part I enjoy most about this new role is having the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals in the arts community.
8. What is the biggest challenge for you in this position?
As with any event of this magnitude, there is always the challenge of coordinating everything from the obvious details to the minute in order to try and ensure that things proceed seamlessly and that all parties involved have a positive experience.
9. What can you tell readers about the upcoming gala?
The 2012 Reunion Gala will feature medal winners from past competitions as well as several special guest performers as well. The IBC should be announcing who will be joining us for this exciting evening soon. Readers should stay tuned!
10. What is next for you?
After we wrap up the Gala, myself along with the rest of the IBC staff will turn our attention to preparing for the 2014 competition.
BIO: In 2007 I graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA in Dance Performance and a Minor in Business Administration. Throughout my undergraduate career, I studied both classical and contemporary forms of dance and had the opportunity to perform with several pre-professional groups.
Shortly after graduation, I moved to New York City and began working with a small online education company while continuing to pursue dance by taking advantage of the multitude of classes NYC had to offer. In 2010 I served as the Assistant Artistic Administrator for the IBC and experienced the administrative side of dance while preparing for this international event.
After my contract with the IBC ended in July, I returned to Boston where I had the pleasure of joining the administrative staff of the Boston Ballet School. I am currently living in Boston, MA where I am working remotely for the IBC as the new Artistic Administrator. In the spring of 2012 I will join the rest of the IBC staff in Jackson, MS in preparation for the 2012 Reunion Gala. At the conclusion of the Gala, we will turn our focus to details surrounding the 2014 competition.
