Dancers are hardworking determined athletes who are usually not recognized. During the COVID 19 pandemic and quarantine most dancers have been dancing away in the comfort of their own home. March 15, 2020, was the dreaded day that dance studios in Watauga County shut down. The Space at Project Dance along with other studios in the area are opening up their doors. There are many new protocols that have been put in place, such as checking temperatures, wiping down all equipment, staying distanced, and many more. A medical-grade air purifier has also been installed, the air gets cleaned every 30 minutes which gives peace of mind to those attending.
Isabel Holt a Junior at The Space at Project Dance says, “I would rather be sweaty and hot than get sick.”
When the dancers have to wear masks they do feel safer, but at the same time, it could lead to other problems. These problems include fatigue or passing out. When a person who is active has a mask on and is breathing the same air over and over again, this can create problems. The Center for Disease Control states that exercising with a mask on causes breathing difficulties. Sweat can make a mask wet, therefore making it more difficult to breathe and possibly causing the growth of bacteria.
With all the precautions put in place, it does make a difference, but the health screening may not be completely accurate. All students must fill out a paper stating that they haven’t been near anyone with Covid-19. But, the form may be filled out mindlessly and may not be accurate.
If COVID-19 continues then the dancers will want to Zoom. Not only do they not have to leave the comfort of their own home but the dancers don’t have to wear a mask. There are lots of requirements that have been put in place for the dancers' safety, but following the same rules every day could get tiring. So the dancers that are able to dance virtually will most likely do so.
Cheryl Cutlip, the founding director of the Project Dance Foundation, bringing hope and healing around the world through the universal language of dance. Surprisingly, this year’s business is off to a good start. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the arts all across the US and dance schools are no different. After a forced “stop” from March through August, the staff then decided to open their doors.
“ It was almost as if the dancers were waiting in the wings to step inside,” says Cutlip. The classes are now getting to capacity and bring so much joy to all the beautiful artists that attend The Space at Project Dance. Cheryl says, “ I’ve been in the arts and entertainment for many years. Throughout the buis those years I’ve experienced seasons of unrest in the world that have had an impact on the work I do.”
When war and crisis are upon us audiences will waver. People will stay home and focus on survival. The human spirit needs arts and dance; the arts can thrive in times of despair. It’s almost as if people want to escape the reality of a situation by attending a show or experiencing how the arts can shift the attitude of the human mind. Collectively we are starting to emerge out of our shells and return to the activities that we need so desperately.
The students and patrons have handled this pandemic very well and they have offered respect toward the new safety measures. “I think the word for this year is patience. We’ve all had to maintain and show patience in many new situations and I can only hope that our safety is better for it,” states Cutlip.
Written by Skylar Moss
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