For most students, creativity is an idea on campus that often comes in the form of introductory paragraphs in essays and group projects.
For Chelsea Milligan, however, creativity comes from her favorite extracurricular activity and lifelong passion — dance.
“My parents put me in dance for more of a social hobby to teach me patience to stand in line and wait my turn kind of thing,” Milligan, a junior in communication studies and theatre, said. “But over the years, it turned into something completely different.”
Around the age of 13, Milligan realized that dance was more than just an output for energy.
“Eventually dance became my passion, and it forever changed my outlook on life,” Milligan said.
Dance helps Milligan express her emotions and provides a positive outlet for creativity. She has experience dancing in ballet with pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary and hip-hop, but her favorite dancing styles are contemporary and jazz.
“I think that those two specific styles are what communicates the beauty of dance by the wide range of possibilities and choreograph,” Milligan said. “Those two styles are the most provocative as far as emotion goes.”
As a full-time student, Milligan still manages to squeeze in time throughout the week in the studio.
“At this point in my life, dance is a form of communication,” Milligan said. “It’s not just a hobby. It’s something I look forward to each and every day. When I have upcoming exams or essays, I know that when I am in the dance studio nothing else matters. That’s my life in that moment in time.”
One of the few initial downsides to attending UT for Milligan was the fact that the university does not have an official dance program.
“The first few weeks I had at UT were hard because I couldn’t find an outlet for my dancing,” Milligan said.
After attending and viewing several dance studios, a dance teacher asked Milligan if she had heard about BOSS Dance Company on campus. Shortly afterward, she became involved with BOSS and discovered her niche at UT.
“As a Vol and a member of BOSS Dance Company, I managed to develop so many relationships with other students who share my passion in dance that I will cherish forever,” Milligan said. “I had a teacher tell me that ‘Once you share a stage with someone, you’re a friend for life.’ And that couldn’t be more true about BOSS.”
Caitlin Burke, the previous BOSS Dance Company president and graduate student in education, said Milligan’s love is evident through her dancing. Burke met Milligan at the BOSS Dance Company audition.
“She was just so captivating to watch. She just completely owned the stage and gave it her whole heart,” Burke said. “She’s such a dedicated dancer and dances with life.”
Milligan was recently elected the president of BOSS Dance Company for the 2013-14 year. Her love of dance extends further than just a night ballet class and choreography. Dance has been a part of her life, and Chelsea Milligan plans on continuing to share her love of dance with others.
“Outside of the world of dance, Chelsea has the same great qualities,” Burke said. “Wherever she goes, she’s always full of joy and passion. She lives her life in the same way.”
