SAMANTHA WAUGH

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Samantha Waugh (she/her) is a dance artist and educator working in Southern California. After moving from her hometown of Austin, Texas, she graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Passionate about arts education, Sammi has taught and created curriculum for private studios, community centers, and elementary schools across Southern California, and served as the Director of the Early Childhood Music and Dance program at OC Music & Dance for 3 years. In addition to assisting with the development of Backhausdance’s educational outreach programs, she currently is a part of the Dance Faculty at The Wooden Floor. Throughout her performance career, she has had the opportunity to work alongside many notable artists, including Dwight Rhoden, Ido Tadmor, Jennifer Backhaus, Sean Greene, Amanda Kay White, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Amy Morrow, and Nicole Hagen, among others. Samantha has performed in many project-based festivals around the LA area, and has presented her own choreographic and movement research works. This is Samantha’s sixth season with Backhausdance.

MORE FROM SAMANTHA

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was 3 years old in Austin, TX

What is your most memorable stage moment?

Ironically, this moment wasn’t on a traditional stage. In one of our site specific performances (Sherman gardens 2021), I had an incredible connection with an audience member. A young girl of about 6 was watching me during one of our improvisation sections when we were weaving in and out of the audience. She started following my movements and dancing with me in the middle of the performance. It was a brief, but beautiful moment for me and the other audience members to witness. Our site specific performances (audience interaction) are some of my favorite performances of ours because of how close to the audience we get to be. Movement is what helps humans understand each other, and the audience interaction in these performances brings out so many incredibly personal and profound moments for our audiences. 

What is your favorite non-dance activity or hobby?

Reading a good book, (usually a mystery), taking a walk, and embroidering are some of my most favorite pastimes when I'm not dancing. A leisurely morning spent doing any of these things would be the start of an ideal day.

How do you deal with nerves or stage fright?

Before the audience is in the theatre, I try to get on the stage and take a moment to take in how it feels looking out into the auditorium. It prepares my brain and body for the feeling of performance and makes me more comfortable with my presence onstage. I also always try to find some time to myself in the dark area side-stage before I go onstage. I touch the tips of my fingers to my sternum and take a few intentional breaths while I'm alone to center my thoughts and my body, and then I feel completely present and ready to go.