Nicole Hennington can’t remember an existence without dance.
“I know it may sound corny, but I feel like dance chose me,” she says. “I don’t ever remember ever not liking dance. It’s always been a part of me and who I am.”
The Arizona native looks forward to making her GroundWorks debut during the company’s upcoming Fall 2018 Series. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance (and minor in Finance), Nicole also studied with Chuthis, Nederlands Dans Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, New Dialect and Ate9 and has performed the works of Peter Chu, Jianhui Wang, Banning Bouldin, Emma Portner, Autumn Eckman and Bella Lewitsky.
What are you most looking forward to during your debut season?
I’m looking forward to working so intimately with this group of dancers. I’ve grown up mostly dancing in a studio, and when I was in college I was always performing in big group numbers. But this experience is so different – we’re so intimate and we’re really getting to know each other mentally and physically. It will be rewarding to be that close.
Even though I’m the newest member, everyone is so welcoming. Even before my first day, I was getting messages like, “We’re so excited that you’re going to be here!” You can disappear in a larger setting, but here you are fully embraced.
What makes you unique as an artist? What do you want to contribute to GroundWorks?
I grew up in Phoenix. I danced at a local studio called Dance Connection, Scottsdale. We competed a lot, but we were not the typical competition studio. I’m very grateful to the owner there, she had amazing teachers there and because of that, I felt like I became a versatile dancer. In that environment, I was hungry to excel in every dance style that was thrown at me. This drive is something I could bring to GroundWorks. I understand and respect a lot of different genres of dance and I’m able to offer a new perspective.
Tell us about the arts scene in Arizona. How did growing up there shape your artistic experience?
The arts scene in Arizona, and the dance community in particular, is very tight-knit. It’s extremely intimate. The teacher that started teaching me when I was 12 years old – today, I’m good friends with that teacher. We’ve grown up with each other. The downtown district where I grew up is super artistic, and same with Tucson – where I went to school. We did a few on-site dance performances. We got to perform at the Biosphere. Currently, there are dancers performing at the Tucson Art Museum. It’s interesting to see how multiple art genres can come together and facilitate something greater.
Tell us about winning the prestigious Gertrude Shurr Award.
That was awarded to me last year, as a graduating senior. It’s given to someone who’s passionate about dance, and it usually goes to a modern dancer.
Tell us about your dance background. How did you find dance?
I was five years old when I took my first dance class. It’s one of those things – I’ve always known I wanted to be a dancer. As a kid, I was dancing every hour I was awake when I got home from school.
Why did you choose dance as your medium of artistic expression?
Dance has always been a part of my life. I remember seeing myself in home videos, I was watching myself in the reflection and I would be dancing all the time. I did participate in other activities – I played soccer and swam competitively, but nothing struck me like dance.
Are you new to Cleveland? What are your impressions of the city?
I am brand new to Cleveland! Whenever I see a body of water, I get so excited, especially since I grew up in Arizona. I live in Lakewood and I love driving along the Shoreway. I love exploring new places, and I love that there are green trees everywhere here!
But I’m probably most excited about fall. I’m excited to see the fall colors and go to pumpkin patches and actually wear a sweater and a coat! I’m excited to experience living in a place with four seasons.