[caption id="attachment_698" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="We were both born here in Portland, Oregon. We moved to California shortly after taking this photo. Who knew he'd be back up here as an adult taking on the Dance community- but then he's always impressed me."]
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I've been watching my brother, Lane, dance practically since he could walk- and he's still one of the most fascinating and creative people I know.
Recently, he launched his own dance company, Lane Hunter Dance, in Portland, Oregon with his personal and inspirational challenge to "be greater than". With a fluid combination of dance, film, stage design, and costuming skills, Lane is growing by leaps and bounds. And since we're both Making Room for More in our lives, I just had to ask him a few questions about his journey:
SK: When you're envisioning a dance or film, does color play a part in your initial inspiration?
LH: Absolutely. Sometimes it's the first thing I see. I often envision the stage like a blank page. As I listen to music I see stripes of color that determine the tempo, direction and mood of the movement. Later I interpret that into physical movement to teach the dancers.
SK: Why did you decide to start your own dance company?
LH: I didn't want to and have put it off for a long time. It's a ton of work, very vulnerable work. I wanted to ride someone else's coattails to success but ultimately discovered that I would never see the kind of pieces in my head by doing another's choreography. So, I'm taking it on- it will be easier than forever wondering if I could have done something "greater than".
SK: What has been your biggest lesson or surprise so far?
LH: Having a dance company has very little to do with creating dances! When I dance, it's an internal feeling and allows me to untangle my thoughts. Dancing for others allows me to express those thought without having to open my mouth. However, creating dances, scheduling rehearsals, running board meetings, asking for donations, promoting performances takes an actual voice, confidence, and initiative that doesn't come naturally to me. But I know that this is the real reason dance keeps luring me to the next level.
SK: What's your overall vision for your company?
LH: The main objective is to get audience members to examine their lives and their community and see if there is something that can be done to make both "greater than". I use dance in conjunction with film work and video simulcast- so, I think this group is also "greater than" a dance company.
SK: So, what are you working on now?
My upcoming performance is horror! I'm creating my own version of Psycho with dance and film. I've got these creepy props cluttering my house right now and I'm thinking like Norman Bates more often than I'd care to admit. There are lots of details yet to work out, but I'll let you know as soon as tickets are ready.
SK: Anything else you want to share?
LH: As creative as people say I am, I often take my cues from Shannon. Her color pallets always makes me feel like I've been decorating with crayons. She did a posting a while back about painting her ceiling with a zig zag stripes. Suddenly, I can't get enough of zig zag stripes. She paints a wall dusty mauve and immediately and I want to paint everything I own that color- dusty mauve! She does it elegantly. I take it over the top. I hope someday to catch up to her but have a feeling I will always be chasing her, which is fine by me.
SK: Ah, thanks, little brother. Contact Lane to be added to his mailing list for announcements on his upcoming performances and events.
Finally, here are a few shots of his home. Like I said, he's always impressed me.
[caption id="attachment_706" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Lane made this throw pillow from a friend's unfinished embroidery project."]
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[caption id="attachment_707" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Just a section of his handpainted mural"]
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[caption id="attachment_708" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Here's how to make masculine work of a pink tile bathroom. I couldn't have done it better myself."]
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