THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: U for Allison SCHUSTER-ULRICH and Dancers UNLIMITED
Allison Schuster-Ulrich
Biography
Allison Schuster/Ulrich was formerly based in NYC but has moved to Dallas, Texas. The dance enthusiast is a sought-after teacher, choreographer and adjudicator nationwide, and has worked with Company XIV, Cirque Du Soleil, The Metropolitan Opera, Radio City, Keigwin And Company, Sonya Tayeh, Cherice Barton, and Andy Blankenbuehler and more.
All images courtesy of the artist.
Dancers Unlimited
Biography
Dancers Unlimited is a bi-coastal 501(C)3 nonprofit company based in NYC and Hawai`i. The company creates authentic movemeant narratives for community advancement through creative collaboration, community engagement, and social justice work.
Cover image by Phil Mahabeer; Image above by Grant Hao-Wei Lin.
What made you decide to enter dance?
Schuster-Ulrich:
I started dancing when I was three years old. I tried many other activities growing up, but dance just stuck around.
Unlimited:
Dancers Unlimited started as a free youth program during Furlough Fridays in Hawaiʻi, when public schools were cancelled due to budget cuts. We unexpectedly started touring and expanding to NYC later. A lot of the how and why were really by chance and a result of the “call and response” approach we have in our creative process.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life/company and why?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Besides the obvious answer, which is always my mom, I would have to say Cindy Peca Dolan. She was with me through some very critical years and continued to push me to dance and not give up.
Unlimited:
DU is rooted in Native Hawaiian culture and the freestyle Hip Hop and House dance scene in NYC. Our biggest influences have been the elders and pioneers in both communities.
We can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
Schuster-Ulrich:
My family.
Unlimited:
Dancing and telling stories together.
We practice self-care by __________.
Schuster-Ulrich:
Taking walks outside in the fresh air.
Unlimited:
Making lei, dancing, building in healing as a key part of our creative process.
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Pets! I unfortunately do not have a green thumb.
Unlimited:
Plants. Edible plants because they are healing and nourishing.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what are your favorite meals?
Schuster-Ulrich:
I love to cook, but 15 years in New York City makes you a sucker for dinning out at your local places post show at midnight. And I will always choose a cheese burger!
Unlimited:
Cooking. Our company is made up of people from many different cultures, and so far, jollof rice from Senegal, collard greens, poi (pounded Hawaiian taro), and white jasmine rice are on the top of the list.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
Schuster-Ulrich:
I would catch a glimpse of the future for sure! No need to look back… keep moving forward!
Unlimited:
The civil rights movement era, so we can see the path to liberation we are paving, and offer knowledge and wisdom for the future generations who are continuing the flight.
What are your personal approaches to handling challenging people or situations?
Schuster-Ulrich:
As a Rehearsal Director for many companies throughout my career, I have found that the best way to approach this is through a non-judgmental manner. People need and deserve to be heard no matter what, so discuss the situation with open ears and come to a solution that is best for the company as a whole.
Unlimited:
Boundary-setting and enforcing those boundaries. We need to protect our energy and who we share it with.
How have your personal lives changed since the pandemic?
Schuster-Ulrich:
My personal life has dramatically changed since the pandemic! My husband and I left New York City after 15 years, settled down in Dallas, TX and welcomed a baby boy to our family.
Unlimited:
As a collective, we are focusing more on sustainability and healing on both personal and collective levels. We are more uninhibited in bringing our core values to the forefront of what we create and perform.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Post pandemic, I moved from performing to working and creating off-stage. I have embraced the role I have done many times, rehearsal director and teacher, without also being a performer.
Unlimited:
We have been weaving healing into our work since before the pandemic, but now itʻs become the center focus on what we do. We want our work to be healing and nourishing for both our collaborators and audience members.
What is a show you recently saw and loved?
Schuster-Ulrich:
My husband recently brought me to see a local production of Once, and it was incredible. I never saw it on Broadway and was completely blown away by the music.
Unlimited:
Behind the South: Dances for Manuel by Sankofa Danzafro. [Read The Dance Enthusiast's IMPRESSIONS of the same show here]
Any pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) rituals?
Schuster-Ulrich:
My pre-performance ritual as a performer was always a ballet barre to warm up and then a little conditioning to get my core engaged and ready!
Unlimited:
We make a Hawaiian hoʻokupu (offering) together, wrapping turmeric, sea salt, ʻawa (kava), and water in ti leaves. We put our intentions in the hoʻokupu and wrap them all up before the show as our offering together.
We wish we could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
Schuster-Ulrich:
1930, watching Martha Graham premiere Lamentation.
Unlimited:
When Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners practiced and taught Hula and the language to fight against cultural erasure during US colonization.
We have the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
Schuster-Ulrich:
Austin McCormick’s choreography.
Unlimited:
Native Hawaiian dance and NYC's freestyle Hip Hop and House dance.
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
Schuster-Ulrich:
The Four Agreements given to me by the late Lawrence Rhodes.
Unlimited:
High on the Hog on Netflix. It talks about the African American experience through examining soul food. Our most recent repertoire Edible Tales explores cultural heritage, social justice and sustainability through food-related topics, and High On The Hog was one of our educational tools to learn more about Soul Food.
This city or country is the best place we have ever been to for art: __________.
Schuster-Ulrich:
New York City and Paris.
Unlimited:
New York City. Always.
Which social media app do you or your company use?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Instagram! Instead of using it as a tool to promote myself and my work, it feels more like a digital scrapbook of the life.
Unlimited:
Instagram.
What advice do you have for young people in the field?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Work as hard as you can, stay true to yourself, and never try to be something you are not. If you love it, the right job will find you.
Unlimited:
Know who you are, what you care about, find your people and create your own lane. There are so many different ways to be a dancer and have a career in the field. Donʻt be scared to branch out and stay curious.
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
Schuster-Ulrich:
For those of us in roles fortunate enough to hire dancers, do not disregard artists with less experience. Some just have not been given the opportunity to showcase themselves and build their network.
Unlimited:
Share their / our work and support each other. Show up to another artistʻs show — most dancers always have a rehearsal to go to. Maybe find time to support another artist as well.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
Schuster-Ulrich:
Now that I do not live in NYC where dance is accessible everywhere, I try to encourage friends and students to attend shows that are not mainstream. Experiencing a live dance performance versus watching it on TV is something so important and critical to sustaining this beautiful art form.
Unlimited:
By dancing. Our movements speaks louder than words.
