Dear Department of Dance Community,
As you have heard from the College of Arts and Sciences, I will have stepped down as chair by the time you read this message. This final InForm letter from the chair serves as an opportunity to reflect on my time in this role and celebrate our collective achievements. Serving as chair of a department with a storied history and a potentially vibrant future has been deeply meaningful and inspiring.
As the first Black male chair—and only the second African American chair in our department’s over 50-year history—this role has been both an honor and a profound responsibility. I am proud to have carried forward the legacy of trailblazers like Helen Alkire, who envisioned this department’s limitless possibilities; Vera "Vickie" Blaine, Karen Bell, interim chair Michael Kelly Bruce, Scott Marsh, Susan Petry and Susan Hadley, who shaped it into a model of excellence; and Nadine George-Graves, who paved the way for deeper conversations about equity, diversity and inclusion during her tenure. Their work has laid a foundation of excellence and innovation, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to that legacy with vision and intentionality.
When I accepted this role in 2022, it was not with the ambition of becoming a career administrator. That has never been my aspiration, nor does it define who I am. At my core, I am an artist, educator and social justice advocate. I took on this role because I was inspired by the university’s embrace of equity and transformation at the time. That vision served as a beacon for my leadership, reminding me daily of what is possible when institutions address inequities head-on. I have worked tirelessly to foster the potential of this department as a model for transformative arts education. Every decision I have made as chair has been guided by these convictions and my determination to create a space where all voices—especially those historically marginalized—can thrive.
As writer, activist and cultural thinker adrienne maree brown reminds us, “What we practice at the small scale sets the patterns for the whole system.” This philosophy has guided my efforts to foster equity, inclusion and justice as central practices within our department. These small but significant changes ripple outward, shaping how we see ourselves and how we contribute to the future of dance as a global, inclusive art form.
Reflecting on the past two years, I take immense pride in the transformational strides we’ve made together:
- Expanding our full-time faculty to include a robust Latine artistic and scholarly presence.
- Expanding our administrative staffing to better serve the department.
- Reinvigorating our dance film and technology programs with dynamic educators, critical pillars of the future of dance.
- Diversifying our undergraduate curriculum to reflect the global breadth and depth of dance traditions.
- Establishing pathways for eminent artists, pedagogues, and scholars to return for graduate study, enriching our community.
- Launching innovative summer programming that broadens our reach and deepens our impact.
- Strengthening vital partnerships with university partners as well as the Columbus and greater Ohio dance community to enhance our collective work.
As I transition from this position, I remain unwavering in my belief that 21st-century dance education can and must serve as a catalyst for socially progressive and meaningful change. I look forward to continuing this work as a tenured professor within the dance faculty. Though I step back from administration, I will never back down from these values.
To the Department of Dance students, faculty, staff and alumni: let us continue to honor the past, innovate for the present, and build a future that reflects the transformative power of dance. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of this department remains one of excellence, equity and audacious possibility.
I invite you to enjoy reading about the most recent successes of the department in this Winter issue of InForm. These achievements reflect the talent, collaboration and innovation that have defined this community.
Onward,
Charles
Charles O. Anderson
Professor, Chair
Cover photo:
Autumn Concert 2024: Up/rising
"Ink"
Choreographer: Joshua Manculich in collaboration with the dancers
Rehearsal Director and Media Designer: Lexi Clark-Stilianos
Lighting Designer: Jonathon Hunter
Costume Designer: Lindsay Simon (unless otherwise indicated)
Stage Manager: Nico Lawson
Music: "Piano," by Bugge Wesseltoft, "Leave my Head Alone Brain," by Bugge Wesseltoft, Henrik Schwarz
Dancers: Lily Clement, Carter Carter, Lale Madenoglu, Keagan McCarty, Taylor McGoff, Emma Morrow, Jenna Naik, Barry Nickell, Lily Poynter, Katie Sabatino, Tess Scearbo, Ava Torok
Notes on the piece: When space feels limited—make your own! "Ink" is an ode to taking up space, and a testament to the notion that everybody has a right to be here.
