Hannah Thomas Brings People Together Through Dance

HOW ASSISTANT PROFESSOR HANNAH THOMAS

BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

THROUGH DANCE BY JONATHAN EIFERT

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Hannah Thomas brings her dynamic dance experience to the University of Oregon for a unique role. “My ‘yes’ to this position came from a lot of places, but being a young Black woman with this amazing opportunity was a huge part of the ‘why’ I came to Eugene,” says Hannah, who officially joined SOMD as a tenuretrack Assistant Professor of Dance this fall.

Hannah brings a multifaceted approach to her teaching by fusing together a deep knowledge of dance, Hip Hop, and education, plus her experience as a professional artist. As a specialist in Hip Hop dance and choreography, she's enthusiastic about the possibilities at UO. “I am excited to see the students grow in their knowledge and embodiment of Hip Hop culture as I grow and thrive as a faculty member here.”

Currently, Hannah is working on two dance projects for the stage and the screen. This winter, she is featured in a faculty dance concert that features what she calls “a Hip Hop choreography fusion work, exploring the idea of our internal motivation to sway when we're overwhelmed with emotion: joy, pain, anxiety, comfort, etc.” Awarded a new faculty research grant, her screen dance project is for film and still under development, though she is optimistic that the “possibilities are endless.”

Notably, her art embodies “formations, still moments, powerful unison, theatrical expressions of the body and face, screen dance, large ensembles, the intimacy of solos, movement supporting a message, the usage of props, silence, and music that directs the movement.” These are a range of her own comfort and explorations.

Hannah encourages others toward a meaningful experience when witnessing her dance. “I use the word invite because an invitation can be denied, but if you really want to go to a place you accept and show up. Experiencing my work invites you to show up and be present to converse with whatever topic, medium, or style is being shown.”

Hannah remembers her past development as an artist when she was at Arizona State University. She choreographed/produced her first full length dance theatre show called, Her Brown Body Is Glory. Looking back, she calls this “my most cherished accomplishment to date . . . I worked with ten Black women from the school and community to make work about the importance of sisterhood for moving beyond trauma into healing. This show made ripples of healing in so many lives, and I'm so fortunate to have facilitated this experience for students and myself.” Hannah dedicated future performances of this project to Armani Moten, who she describes as "a fellow sister, dancer, and angel in the show who sadly passed away."

At SOMD, Hannah is certainly on a path toward continuing that modus operandi—positively impacting people through her work, her teaching, and her heart.

HANNAH HIGHLIGHTS

Duck Jam On December 1, 2021, SOMD held the first-ever Duck Jam showcase, bringing the Hip Hop dance classes together to present their final performances in a more authentic communal experience that reflects Hip Hop culture. 175 people attended from the department, the UO, and Eugene community at large.

Oregon Music Education Association Hannah and ten dance students will collaborate with music faculty, Dennis Llinas, and the Oregon Wind Ensemble on a January 15 performance for OMEA audiences at the Hult Center in Eugene.