We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlotte Williamson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlotte, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Depending on your background, It might not seem that a dance company does much to help the community. We create performances that are viewed only a few times by a small local audience. Then we move onto the next season and present more shows.

But here’s the truth: SIDEWAYS dancers show us how to be human. They unite audiences into conversation and show us the similarities between us. They make audiences FEEL rather than think and once you FEEL something, you can’t unfeel it.

When I started SIDEWAYS in 2006, I had a lot to say as an artist. I was ready to share my opinion on every society topic and change the world. Over the past 15 years, I’ve matured and so have my creations. I love collaborating with others to share THEIR story rather than always sharing my own.

We’ve been honored to be trusted to share the story of Max Gruver’s death due to Fraternity hazing and to bring the words of Caste: The origin of our discontents by Isabel Wilkerson to life on stage.

SIDEWAYS dancers transform into storytellers to motivate, inspire, and create conversation.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to tell stories through dance! I’ve always believed that dance should be an art that “non-artists” can understand. Though historically, it’s important that we have had dance professionals challenge the norms, it’s hard to build a community of dance lovers if they are scared that they won’t “get it”. And so, SIDEWAYS was born to help normalize dance and use it as a tool to unite our community.

My choreography draws on a mix of genres – everything from Ballet/Modern/Jazz to Capoeira & East Indian Dance. I love to use great music to draw in an audience and challenge the dancers to perform with vulnerability and honesty. I look for dancers who make me feel something. I don’t care how technically sound a dancer is. If I feel nothing, it’s not a good fit for me.

My story began at University of Florida where I pursued a dance degree. I wanted to be a Rockette and found that the University wasn’t providing classes that met my goals. After pursuing a few different extracurricular options, I founded my own student organization – Extreme Dance Company (still going strong today!). That year was tough for me in the dance department as I was playing by my own rules and not participating much in the department extras. When I created my first group piece, the dance faculty told me that I “wasn’t an artist” and was “best suited to be a recital director”. With one year left, I decided to transfer as a Senior to University of Georgia, extending my college years to five.

At UGA, I was required to create another group piece for my senior project. While my classmates were very nervous for midterm feedback, I felt I had nothing to lose. What could be worse then being told you weren’t a artist? I created my piece for me with no regard for making my professors happy. And surprise, they loved it!

They selected it to represent UGA at the American College Dance Festival and it received great feedback, all in front of the Faculty of UF.

After that (glorious) weekend, I told my cast that I was starting a professional dance company and so I did. I read 65 pages of IRS instructions and filed 20 forms to get our 501c(3) status. I convinced Mack at 7 Stages to give me a cheap rental for my preview performance and SIDEWAYS was off.

My college experiences gave me the strength to stand on my own as an artist, to not worry about doing what others are doing, and to be true to me. SIDEWAYS is unique in the dance scene because we don’t really fit a mold. We’re not artsy enough for Atlanta dance concerts but we also aren’t as accessible as a musical.

We’re contemporary dance theater.

It’s what makes us stand out, challenges us, and gives us permission to be who we are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a born and raised Atlantan! Much has changed over the years but here are my current favorites:

The Alden Chef table (Chamblee) with wine pairing – Absolutely amazing food & wines! Think french service in a relaxed atmosphere.

Chronic Tacos (Alpharetta) – super yummy tacos that no one can resist. It’s my dancers favorite catering option but they have dine in too!

The Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta) – beautifully done and peaceful. You can spend the whole day reading until the sea if you want or you can spend a half day walking through

Centennial Park (Atlanta) – If the weather is nice, you can relax at Centennial Park after the aquarium for picnic

Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta) – Do the animal experiences here especially feeding the Pandas. It does not disappoint! Amazing to see how they care for the animals & train them so they can give them shots etc.

Vino Venue (Chamblee) – this is our local wine shop and has great food and wine on tap (Eno style).

Pinkies Up (Roswell) – our second go-to wine shop, not 1 bottle that is not good inside. Saturday tastings vary.

Accent Winery (Dahlonega) – A little out of the city but well worth the short 45 minute drive. It’s a wonderful family run winery with GREAT wine.

Fox Bookstore (Woodstock) – the most charming bookstore I’ve been in

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Special Shout Outs to all of our donors, sponsors, and ticket holders who support SIDEWAYS! To the dancers over the past 15 years who gave so much of their heart and soul to present honest stories. To our board members for believing in the vision of SIDEWAYS and the power it brings to the audience. To my husband for being in every one of the shows the past 15 years and for doing it all – dancing, set-building, board-leading, and stage holding :). To my mom and dad, who believed in me and never told me I was silly for going for things. To my UGA college dance professors who believed that I was an artist and gave me a chance to represent their University in front of major dance professionals. That was the moment of magic that kickstarted my journey to here.

Website: www.sidewaysdance.org

Instagram: @sidewaysdance

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-williamson-391b699/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SidewaysDance

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SIDEWAYSDance

Other: You can find us on Tik Tok too!

Image Credits
Chris Coates Photos Michael Boatright Photography

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