Q&A with dance major Caleb Waybright

Dance major Caleb Waybright is having a busy couple of weeks. You may have seen him recently in “Paradigm Shift,” “Cabaret” or this week’s “Dancing on the Edge.” As the most recent CVPA Face of the Week, we asked him about why he transferred to RU, about being the only male in the Women’s History Month’s “Paradigm Shift” and his plans after graduation.

1. Where are you from originally?

A: I am from Elkins, West Virginia.

2. We heard you are a transfer student. What school did you attend before RU?

A: I transferred from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a small liberal arts school near where I grew up.

3. Why did you choose Radford University to pursue a major in dance?

A: I've known of a couple people who had gone to/go to Radford, so that's where it first popped up on my radar, but I was looking for a smaller university. I knew Radford had more equalized emphases on both ballet and modern dance, unlike most college programs, which tend more towards the modern side (not to say that I don't love modern, but I really enjoy doing both).

4. How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

A: At the risk of sounding a little zany, I find that there's just some special connection that is formed between the audience and the performer, and that connection is just something that keeps me coming back for more. It's honestly more than a little addicting.

5. How did you feel about being the only male in the Women's History Month performance “Paradigm Shift?”

A: I was honored to have been able to have been a part of “Paradigm Shift.” I feel very strongly that a battle for any marginalized group is a battle that everyone needs to be fighting. In the pursuit of equality between sexes and in honor of women, I think there is a very important role that men need to undertake.

6. How would you describe your role in “Paradigm Shift?”

A: My partner and I (after much thinking on our choreographer's part) were given the inspiration of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Our roles were such that, despite the guise of seriousness, we were really aiming for a kind of dark humor. The piece itself was supposed to be representative of a standard romantic relationship: the struggles therein and the "battles" (both literal and figurative) that every relationship must face.

7. How did you prepare for your performance in “Paradigm?”

A: The piece we performed for “Paradigm Shift” has been rehearsing since probably the middle of last semester, so it's safe to say that we've invested a lot of time into it. To be honest, that's my favorite way to work on a piece: leave it enough time to simmer and really bring out the richness that it has to offer, rather than just trying to rush through to get it done.

8. How would you describe the style of dance in “Paradigm Shift?”

A: I would say the basis of our performance was modern dance, but by virtue of the piece itself it morphed almost into a sort of "performance art." The piece was so driven by character and relationship between the performers that it just got bumped up into a new level of theatricality. (Which is not to say that the movement was un-demanding).

9. What type of music do you prefer to perform to?

A: I love any kind of music with a strong "beat." As long as there's a driving force to the music, I just love to move. I do find I have a particular affinity for the more experimental side of music.

10.  What are your plans for after you graduate?

A: Well, once I figure out how to pay off my school loans, I plan on moving to the city (although which I currently haven't the foggiest idea), and start getting my name out. I have a couple companies in mind that I'd love to work for, but I like to keep my mind and options open.