Arts Concentration Feature: Emily Goodwin ’21

Goodwin is part of both Dance and Theater Arts Concentration. Photo courtesy of Emily Goodwin

 

Emily Goodwin ’21 parents took her to see her first Broadway show, The Little Mermaid, when she was three years old. Goodwin was so inspired by it that she enrolled in a community theater program, signed up for voice lessons, and got herself into dance classes. She believes this was her parents’ way of getting her out of the house in part because she was, and still is, incredibly energetic. Since then, her steadfast dedication has led to her many impressive feats as a vocalist, actress, and dancer; she has won numerous dance competitions with her dance studio, scored the lead in a variety of productions both at Choate and elsewhere, and she participates in both dance and theater Arts Concentration. 

Goodwin was initially drawn to musical theater because it was a combination of disciplines: dance, voice, and acting. She has played a variety of characters: two-faced Eva in Choate’s Bring it On, the notably outrageous Maureen in last year’s Rent, and the Leading Player from Pippin at a theater program that she attended this past summer at UCLA. Goodwin loves being on stage. Naturally confident and charismatic, she immerses herself in the character she’s playing and builds lasting connections with her audience. 

An avid dancer on and off campus, she had the opportunity to choreograph her own piece in last year’s dance show. She loved sitting in the audience while watching her dancers perform, seeing the vision for her piece unfold. Goodwin was excited by the energy in the room; everyone was having fun. “It put a smile on my face that would not go away the entire weekend,” Goodwin said. 

The act of creating something cultivates indescribable bonds among artists, something Goodwin appreciates. She describes the sense of community to be one of the most amazing aspects of the experience in any show or production. Goodwin cherishes the memories, both humorous and sentimental, that she’s made within her artistic endeavors. 

For example, when Goodwin was at a dance competition with her off-campus studio, she had to launch into a front somersault with the goal of landing her feet onto her partner’s back. Her partner, now one of Goodwin’s best friends—but a mere acquaintance at the time—waited for Goodwin to execute the move. Goodwin, not yet having mastered the graceful front walkover, bounced her legs onto her partner’s back and fell. The two burst into fits of laughter in the middle of the stage, earning hard stares from their dance instructor, but beginning a close friendship. 

At the moment, Goodwin is transforming her Arts Concentration audition choreography into a solo with the help of Ms. Kalya Yannatos, Director of the Arts. Goodwin will be competing with her own choreography at upcoming competitions alongside her dance studio. “I can combine both worlds into one, which I’m super excited about, and I think it’s going to be a really unique experience,” said Goodwin. 

Goodwin values having a good work ethic; she is always aiming for improvement. She loves the way it feels to work hard on a piece and then experience the reward of performing it. “This is really weird, but do you know the feeling right before you’re about to laugh?” she asked. “It’s just joy coming out of your mouth and you don’t really know what to do. Yeah. That’s what it feels like.”

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