Collaboration (or what some may call living)

Roxanne Nielsen

by Roxanne Nielsen

There is nothing without collaboration, is there? And if there is, does it have meaning and purpose? I don’t know...maybe someone can enlighten me about that! I mean, an artist who is working alone in their studio or in their chosen place of creation is collaborating with their medium, their muse, their vision – they certainly aren’t fighting with those things I hope. So, if that is true, then we are all working together with someone or something all the time. Right?

​The best, worst, most fun, most awful, most fulfilling, most frustrating things that I have worked on, been part of or experienced have been collaborations. I don’t know that I would be able to produce anything that wasn’t part of a collaboration of some sort. Every collaboration most certainly is a learning experience. And we learn by trying new things, working with different people, taking a leap and hoping that your partners/friends/co-workers are there to catch you!
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I have been a dancer and a teacher and therefore a choreographer most of my life. When it comes right down to it, those are my gifts. I cannot do those things without a team of some sort working along with me. My years working in theatre is a testament to how fantastic collaborations can be. Anyone who works in theatre or dance fully understands that no theatre is made without the insight, vision, talent and support of a team of people.

I have been away from the world of theatre and dance for a while. It was the idea of collaborating on a new piece of theatre with an old friend that enticed me to venture back, even if it’s only for this moment. I am grateful to have been invited.

Meeting people, trying things that I have not done before, being part of the creation of something brand new, COLLABORATING – that is exciting and I for one am all in. As long as my cohorts are all in right along with me!