Documentary aims to bring attention dance at UNC

UNC students are choreographing a movement to promote dance at UNC.

Led by sophomore Wynton Wong, students are developing the “Carolina Dance Documentary Project,” aiming to showcase dancers at UNC and encourage Chancellor Holden Thorp to allocate more money to dance groups and establish a dance minor.

Wong, a communication studies major, said she is organizing the project because dance at the University is neglected — despite the existence of numerous dance groups, highly experienced dancers and courses, she said.

“We have really talented dancers here who could easily be professional,” Wong said. “But they have chosen to attend UNC.”

Despite high student enthusiasm for dance and suitable on-campus facilities, Wong said, many dancers believe UNC’s opportunities are lacking by not offering a dance minor.

Wong said Duke University offers a minor, although there is less student demand there.

Wong said she hopes this documentary will demonstrate why dance is important to UNC.

Christine Allison, a dancer in Inversions Modern Dance Company and a performer in Wong’s documentary, said the project will provide an opportunity for all dancers to collaborate and add strength to the campaign for a minor.

“A huge reason this campaign has not yet succeeded is through lack of organization between all of the (dance) groups on campus,” she said.

Wong said the documentary project has thus far received a positive response.

“We had a meeting last week and will hold another couple of meetings soon,” she said.

Wong said she plans to include as many different dance groups and genres as possible.

While the documentary will focus on one group at a time, there are suggestions for a huge Bollywood-style finale involving all who participated.

Filming is due to start next week at a variety of locations around campus. The project will initially be broadcast online as a weekly interview-based Web series, with a full length version to be released in April.

Wong said she believes the documentary will serve to encourage more students to become involved.

“It is hard to show that dance at UNC exists and that it is accessible,” Wong said.

Wong said the project has received no funding or official University support and will be shot entirely by a small crew of volunteers. All dancers, crew and music featured will be products of students, she said.

Allison said she hopes the documentary will help the University place more importance on the dance community.

“The dance community is so hidden,” she said. “Only the people who are passionate about it really get involved.”

Sarah Bird, another dancer in Inversions, said she is excited about the documentary because it will showcase lesser-known dance groups.

“As a dancer and freshman at UNC I think there’s a lot of great, mostly undiscovered dance groups,” she said.

“It will definitely heighten the profile of dance at UNC.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.