Dance Talks | A Conversation with Dwight Rhoden

Complexions co-founder and choreographer Dwight Rhoden joins Lauren Anderson, Associate Director of Education and Community Engagement, for a conversation ahead of rehearsals for “The Lightning Round,” his first work for Houston Ballet. Rhoden and Anderson dive into Rhoden’s career as a dancer, choreographer, Artistic Director, and more.
0:00 Welcome
1:35 Introducing Lauren
3:16 Lauren and Dwight Chit Chat
5:20 Getting Started with Dance
7:25 Rhoden’s Passion
8:51 Choreo as a job
10:46 Getting into the Company
13:00 Working in other cities/Montreal
17:25 Choreographing First Piece
19:23 Dancing while being a Choreographer
21:05 Favorite piece to choreograph
22:29 Explaining Pictures
23:43 Start of Complexions
26:26 The Name, “Complexions”
27:14 Video of Complexions
28:34 Choreographing a Piece for Houston Ballet
29:47 Inspiration for HB Piece
31:51 Dwight on his next return to Houston
34:05 “Why is dance important to you?”
38:11 How has the dance world changed through time?
40:43 Q&A: “How did you not rebel against the rules, but still find space for your own uniqueness?”
43:12 Q&A: Dynamic of being a dancer/getting input and being the choreographer/giving input
46:00 Q&A: “What advice would you give to younger people who have parents who don’t believe in the arts?”
48:36 Q&A: BalletTok... social media and dance
53:43 Q&A: Helping students who are not financially able
57:36 Q&A: Last time Complexions came to Houston
59:41 Closing