Choreographer
My passion for dance originated in inhibited self-expression of childhood, and has continued as an outlet for my creativity. As I grow into adulthood, I see every movement and gesture as an element of dance. Thus, dance will always be essential to my life, even when not performing or creating. I view choreography as a puzzle, or a problem to solve, constantly shifting elements until a work’s thematic content and intent feel effective.
I am intrigued by the passage of time and the transition between stages of life as exploratory liminal spaces. My interest lies in the understanding of life progression, investigating what it means to go from infancy to childhood to adolescence to adulthood to late adulthood, and how this affects humanity physically, psychologically, and spiritually. I envision my work as an exploration of both my individual experience, and collective history as a whole. Thus, my work touches on themes prevalent within my own personal experiences such as spirituality and religious trauma, womanhood and feminism, depression and anxiety, as well as isolation and relationships.
My passion for dance is intertwined with my passions for music, literature, poetry, theater, and other art forms. Holistically, these disciplines have deepened my practices as a choreographer. Within my career, I aspire to be a positive influence on the mental wellbeing and creative expression of others. I aim to use my work to inspire good both in myself and others. I also strive to soothe unrest and pain in myself and my community. I see my compassion and my strong emotions as incredible assets in my career, and I always want to measure my success by how I have helped others.
Katie Watkins - Choreography Reel
Enjoy recordings of some of Katie’s previous work below!
Lady Lazarus
Lady Lazarus explores womanhood and identity as a liminal space, showcasing ever-evolving concepts of identity struggles and shifts between conformity and individuality. This work centers on the rebirth and struggle that tie women together even with the intersectional identities that affect our experiences. In my personal research and motif development, I also explored the ways religion, sexuality, and relationships shift and affect experience. In examining the role that rejection and group relationships play in the formation of identity, we see the common threads of life experience uniting women.
The Other
Do you look at the sky at night and consider your place in the world?
Do you question if anything you do even matters?
Do you ever feel insignificant?
The Other considers feelings of isolation and insignificance through movement representation and explores space as a metaphor for inherent chaos and lack of reason in a daunting world. This work was set at Brenau University in Fall 2021.
I Hope You Love Me Like I Love You
I Hope You Love Me Like I Love You explores safety and risk within relationships, dwelling on the beauty and peace which comes from loving and understanding another person. The work was set at Brenau University Summer 2022, as part of the Brenau University Summer Dance Intensive.
