Project20 presents: 20 Questions with Artistic Director and Choreographer, Donald Sales.
1. Why did you start Project20?
I have a need and passion to create. So I decided to provide for myself a way to do so when inspiration decided to bite me.
2. What is your philosophy behind artistic creation/why do you approach your work the way you do?
My philosophy or motto is “create at all cost”. The way I feel when I’m creating is a feeling that keeps me in a state of joy and happiness. So I base my world on being happy. It’s important for me to approach work from an authentic relevant place and to make it personal and unique for everyone involved.
3. If you could ask the viewer of your work, one question, what would it be?
4. When you create, who do you imagine your audience to be, either consciously or unconsciously?
I imagine every seat being filled by my mom. I feel if she understands or like the work she’s seeing, then most will.
5. What drives you to continue making work? What questions/answers do you still seek or wish to explore?
The challenge of creating something essentially from nothing is what drives me. How a small thought can evolve and sprout from your imagination to flesh, bones and an actual experience. I have sooo many questions to ask. Too many to list, lol.
6. How has your choreographic practice changed/evolved since you began?
Wow. I’ve had the pleasure of working/creating with amazing choreographers such as Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, Aszure Barton, Serge Bennethan, John Alleyne to name a few and through these collaborations I was able to witness the process and evolution of an idea. Through these experiences I picked up on the how to. Although they were all different, they all had a sense of trust with the dancers. For me personally, despite my earlier creations, I’ve found that the less I move and the more I direct, plant ideas, and give tasks’ the better the work is and the more original and rich the language becomes.
7. Is there anything you find problematic about the world of dance or art production today?
Occasionally I feel creators are afraid to take risk. For some it seems more about “cool steps” oppose to the message, a message or even a question. Or to really ‘go there’ and not be worried about being IT or relevant to today’s standards.
8. What is the future you imagine for Project20?
In time I imagine Project20 being the first, if not, the only company made up entirely of strong athletic women creating a visceral, honest experience for audiences.
9. How do your creative pursuits in different medias (ie Music, Acting, Dance) influence one another?
When I’m creating a work, I’ll often have sections that or solely based on a rhythm and or a melody which my background in music influences heavily. My acting comes into play when I’m communicating with the dancers, which is the reason i started acting in the first place especially since my work has always had a theatrical sense about it. I’m sure it also has a lot to do with my musical theatre background. Now being more serious about my acting I’m able to create a language for each artist specifically and I’ll occasionally write out a scene for the dancers to bring to life.
10. What do you hope to achieve/accomplish in your artistic/creative career?
11. What inspires you to get out of bed everyday?
A walk in the sun alone or with a friend.
12. What are the benefits of composing while in rehearsals with the dancers?
The fact that I’m able to watch the dancer move and hear what I’m creating simultaneously helps to connect with their energy or vibe in that moment. It’s all about capturing the moments or feelings.
13. How do you keep Project20 a priority among all the other work you are doing?
14. What’s the most challenging part of being the director of a company?
15. What are some of the obstacles Project20 is facing being a project based company in Canada?
I think right now it’s finding performance opportunities and although the BC Arts Council have supported many of my creations, funding can sometimes be a scarce.
16. Do you think Project20 would be more successful in a different location.
Not necessarily. I think being a new company it’s only natural the time it takes to build an audience that looks forward to seeing your next piece. We are slowly building and soon will be consistently performing and creating.
17. How do you choose your dancers?
I don’t agree with the auditioning process so I hardly have those. Typically, I choose dancers that I’ve either seen, have worked with or would love to work with. Often there are times when one of my dancers will refer another dancer. But what I seek in all these cases are dancers who have this incredible ability to improv, but most importantly a desire to expand their artist and great to be around. I like to host a healthy, safe, vulnerable and creative atmosphere.
18. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I have a ton but what comes to mind is when it’s raining and a person with an umbrella walks close to a building pushing the people without an umbrella into the rain. Grrr.
19. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since starting your own company?
I’ve learned that one has to be patient and persistent. For me it’s better to make great work once every 1 or 2 years over creating mediocre work every few months. I prefer to be patient and listen.
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