![]() ![]() It’s just a natural instinct for a dancer to do that. And in many aspects, I didn’t allow myself to be limited. I knew what was required of me, what I would be asking my body to do. Three years ago, when I was coming back from my knee surgery, I realized I was going to be limited in certain movements. It’s just awe inspiring.ĭo you have a favorite work that you’ve performed at GroundWorks? I look back at the artists David has brought in over the years – the diversity, the range of the dancers and the artistry of the many choreographers. The company started becoming the dancers and the dancers became the company. Everyone brought their unique abilities and personalities. When we came to the studio, everyone knew we had a job to do. But at the end of the day, it was always about the work. And like family, we share it all – the good and the bad. I’ve been thinking a lot about it and 20 years – that’s a long time in one location, in one area, in one company. I just can’t believe it’s been as long as it has. When you look back, on what has been almost 20 years with the company, what kinds of feelings are conjured? You have been with GroundWorks almost since its inception. ![]() He recently sat down to reflect on his career with GroundWorks, the unique relationship he has with Northeast Ohio audiences, and what’s ahead following retirement. “What a beautiful and fitting coincidence.” “It’s like bookends,” Damien says of starting and ending his GroundWorks career with Circadian, which he first performed in 1999. He and his longtime on-stage partner, fellow GroundWorks veteran Felise Bagley – who will also be leaving the company – will perform their last pas de deux to Circadian, choreographed by GroundWorks Executive Artistic Director David Shimotakahara and first performed by the company nearly 20 years ago. Those two decades of creative collaboration will officially come to a close when Damien retires from performing with the company following its Spring Dance Series. “You become a part of the furniture,” Damien Highfield says, with affection, about his professional journey with GroundWorks DanceTheater. When you’ve been dancing for 25 years and 20 of those are with one company, you build a history together. ![]()
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