“What I want you to take away from this is that, whoever you are, you can follow your dreams.”
Lucia August has dance in her DNA. But more than that, she has it in her soul.
Lucia August certainly has. “And,” she insists, “everyone can dance.” So that’s what this dance therapist calls the course she runs back in California.
Lucia attended her first dance class aged four and discovered her passion. She never lost it. But, “always bigger than the average child,” she fast realised she was the “wrong” shape to be a professional dancer. So she got on with a parallel life. It was successful. It was secure. But it didn’t nourish her soul. Only dance did that.
Aged fifty she took the risk of jacking in her day job and following her dream. She had joined a dance class run by a professional company. When they invited her to join their outfit, she nearly fell over. I don’t know why. Just come see her: you won’t understand either. Then she stood tall, and took the plunge.
This piece follows her journey. It comes in three parts: the first is about relying on external affirmation of one’s identity, and a growing internal struggle. The second explores the internal road to self-discovery. It is powerful stuff, and it’s beautiful.
The final section is Lucia speaking with the audience. She tells her story and explains the pieces. Then she invites questions or comments. A young man remarks on the wonder of seeing a non-stereotypical body dancing with such beauty and grace, and how empowering that must be for so many people. Another person comments on the beautiful way the light falls on her curves, the voluptuousness of her form, and how refreshing that is.
Lucia August has dance in her DNA. But more than that, she has it in her soul.
She’s here only until Saturday. Go see her.
