Margi Cole reflects on her journey as a choreographer and The Dance COLEctive‘s upcoming 20th anniversary performance, Revelry/20 Years.

What continues to inspire you to choreograph after 20 years?

I am quite simply inspired by the creative process. I am still curious. I want to experiment with new ideas, new bodies, new challenges. I want to see if I can be more creative than the last time. How can I challenge the bodies in the space? How can I challenge myself? I get excited about working with the dancers, creating puzzles for them to take on, challenging their weaknesses and amplifying their strengths. I am enamored with watching the dancers tackle the material and grow from it. I am inspired by the authenticity of the experience. It is a truly intimate and satisfying privilege to be present in that creative space.

What are some of the most valuable artistic insights you’ve learned along the way?

Gosh. So many. Probably the biggest thing I would offer is that it is OK to fail. It is not fun, but there is so much to be learned from not succeeding. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried and failed and tried again. I wish I had been less worried about failing when I was younger and more of a risk taker. I find myself taking risks more now but they are calculated, less organic. Do your research. Be brave. Be humble about your failures and modest about your successes. The other thing that is just as hard is balancing your creative self, your personal self and your administrative self. Be careful that they do not become so tightly wound that you can’t separate one from the other. It means making sacrifices along the way. [Read more…]