This week, JustArts had a conversation with Brittany Ritell '15, who is on the executive board of Adagio Dance Ensemble and is active in the performing community at Brandeis.

JustArts: How did you first get started dancing? 

Brittany Ritell: I started dancing when I was pretty young, around age five, so I probably didn't have much of a say. There was actually a point in the middle of elementary school where I really wanted to quit dancing, but my mom convinced me to stick with it for one more year but suggested I switch studios. It made a huge difference and at my new studio is where I really began to love dance. By the time I got to high school I was trying to convince my parents to sign me up for as many classes as possible-they capped it at six. My dance teacher at that studio is like another mom to me.

JA: What is your role in Adagio Dance Ensemble?

BR: This year I served as the communications coordinator for Adagio and I also had the opportunity to be a choreographer and a choreography mentor, all of which were great experiences. I'm also running for dance marathon coordinator for next year which will be a great experience and opportunity if I win!

JA: Has dance been a lifelong activity for you?

BR: Yes, I cannot remember a point in my life where I was not involved in dance. We have around seven different dance studios in my hometown so it is a really popular activity for most girls in Ridgefield, CT.

JA: How has your dance interest and practice changed since you have come to Brandeis?

BR: Brandeis has really expanded my dancing experience and styles. Freshman year I was part of B'yachad, the semi-professional Israeli dance troupe on campus, which was a style I had never tried before. I then began to learn swing through Swing Dance Club and then this year I performed in a tap dance for the first time ever! I also find that ballet club is really great for improving my technique. Zabelle, the ballet instructor, teaches Russian style which is a lot more structured that what I grew up doing and it has really helped me improve.

JA: Did you choreograph any pieces in Adagio's spring show?

BR: So I didn't choreograph for Adagio in the spring because I was choreographing two Liquid Latex pieces and you can only come up with so many dance moves at one time! I did have the chance to choreograph for Adagio in the fall, which was my first choreography experience. I'm really excited to do it again next fall!

JA: What is the process of preparing for a performance like for you? How long does it take to perfect a piece for the stage?

BR: I practice a lot. I usually go to rehearsals early and practice the dance to see if I can remember it on my own. In rehearsal you can see everyone else in the mirror, so its really easy to grow dependent on that in rehearsal, but on stage it looks so bad if you're looking at everyone else. The week before the show, I was spending a lot of time on tap because I have never taken a class before in my life and had to work extra hard to keep up. Most dances have rehearsal for one to two hours a week, but I like to practice outside of rehearsal!

JA: Tell me about your experience with Liquid Latex this year choreographing a very different style dance piece.

BR: Liquid Latex was a fascinating group to be a part of and it was definitely a challenge. The biggest difference with Liquid Latex is that the dances are about double the length of an Adagio dance! It's also really funny to work with people that don't dance because sometimes I really misjudge how the average person's body moves. Latex is so story based-you get to work with characters and a story line and it really helps when trying to come up with choreography!

JA: What's your favorite color tutu?

BR: Lime Green. Or something with a lot of rhinestones.

JA: What has been your favorite dance memory this year?

BR: So there's this move called a tilt that I've been working on gaining the strength and flexibility to do for a few months, and honestly the first time I was able to get that move was really exciting for me. Every year I choose a new move that I want to learn, and a tilt was the move this year, so it was really exciting for me when I was able to do it!

JA: What is the hardest part about choreographing a dance from start to finish?

BR: Keeping up your inspiration and creativity. I always find that the last 30 second to a minute are the hardest to choreograph because you just really want to have it done but you don't want to keep reusing moves.

JA: Do you have a favorite dance/music genre to dance to?

BR: I will always have a fondness for ballet because it is the foundation for all other types of dance. If your ballet technique is good, your dancing in other styles will look better too. It's also probably the hardest and I like the challenge
I'm not feeling creative!
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- Rachel Hughes and Jessie Miller