We recently connected with Megan Warnick and have shared our conversation below.
Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I had gone back and forth often asking myself if I should have waited to start my professional company. I always knew I wanted to eventually do it, but didn’t think I would jump in at age 25. I was lucky enough to already have rehearsal space and eager dancers ready to perform professionally, so I figured why wait? Switching over from dancing myself to giving others the same opportunities I had has been so fulfilling. I love it! Even though life has been busy with my family, young kids, and other work responsibilities, I wouldn’t change the timing of anything!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up in Utah as a dancer, training day and night to one day perform professionally. During my youth, I was able to have many roles in professional shows and work on camera as well. Any opportunity to add experience and connections in the industry, I took. There are so many amazing mentors that really guided me and shaped me into the dancer, teacher, and choreographer I am today. Currently, I have a busy family of young children, I run the competition program at The Pointe Academy, and started a professional dance company “SHIFT” three years ago. SHIFT has been a bigger blessing than I ever thought possible. I’ve had the chance to create multiple shows with talented dancers from all over the country. I’ve seen them grow a deeper love of dance and how it can share a lasting impact on the audiences that come to watch. Our dancers also have had many opportunities to work many corporate events, community suicide prevention performances, and more. They are working often in Utah and I love that we have so many jobs available for artists here! In any industry, there is negativity and challenges and dance is not excluded in that. The goal with SHIFT from day one has been to add positivity and love back into dance, whether it’s during our performances or in rehearsals. I believe that the dancers on SHIFT are incredible dancers, but more importantly they are wonderful human beings. They are kind, hard working, humble, caring, supportive, and driven. They care about each other and that can be hard to find in a competitive rehearsal setting. I’m constantly reminded why we are doing this when I hear audience members say they can feel how much the dancers love and care for each other or that they loved the message. I would say that is our biggest accomplishment as a company.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal with SHIFT is to provide not only professional dancers the opportunity to stay in Utah and have a career, but also for the local youth to have chances to be part of professional shows and hopefully one day dance on the company! I know we have something unique and we are adding to the dance community in Utah.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of directing SHIFT is that I get to see dancers and audience members feel something when they come to our shows. I always want our audience to leave feeling refreshed and loved! I know the dancers on the company and myself use the pieces for therapy if we are struggling with something, sometimes to escape reality, and to remind ourselves how lucky we are to do what we love each day! That is what is so special about dance, is that you can express your emotions in a way that sometimes we can’t with our words.
Contact Info:
- Website: Shiftdancecompany.com
- Instagram: Shiftdanceco
- Other: TikTok: shiftdanceco
Image Credits
Greg Baird