Meet Maxine Montilus | Dance Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maxine Montilus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maxine, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose to pursue a career in dance because dance is my favorite mode of expression. I grew up in a home where I was to be seen and not heard…dance gave me the space to express myself without words, without any interference or interjections from anyone else. It still offers that for me. There’s so much to consider in verbal communication: a person’s mood, emotions, receptivity, listening skills, etc. However, with dance I can express all of my thoughts, emotions and ideas without interruption. Plus it’s fun! Moving my body provides a much-needed release for me physically, spiritually and emotionally. I was in high school when I made the decision to pursue an artistic career because once I started to learn of the many avenues available to me in dance, I realized it was an option worth pursuing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a dance artist, I consider myself a storyteller. I don’t limit myself in terms of what modalities I use in my choreography when telling stories either. Throughout my career as a dance maker, I have incorporated poetry, film, live vocals and audience participation in my work. I am most proud of the fact that I do not limit myself as an artist, not only in what forms I use, but also in where I present work. I have had opportunities to present my own choreography in various theater spaces, but I have also choreographed for Off-Off Broadway and opera. Not limiting where I can showcase my choreographic voice has stretched me as an artist in terms of expanding my notions of how one can tell a story.

Even though I don’t limit myself as an artist, my favorite thing to do as a choreographer is fuse contemporary movement with Afro-Caribbean dance forms, especially Haitian folkloric dance. I began studying modern dance at the age of 15, and even majored in the technique at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I began studying Haitian folkloric dance in 2007 to deepen my connection to my Haitian roots as a first generation American. Both forms of movement give me a sense of freedom and rootedness in dance and my sense of self that I absolutely enjoy.

A career in the arts is definitely not for the weak-there are so many ups and downs one can experience in this field. There are times you can end up with a lot of work, and other times there can be long waiting periods between opportunities. The important thing is to make sure you have a variety of skills that can open you up to different job options during low periods in your artistic career. For example, I have worked in the arts as a dancer, choreographer, educator and administrator. Having that variety of skills and abilities has helped me a great deal during the times in my life where opportunities weren’t as plentiful as expected!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The arts are a huge part of why I stay living in my hometown of Brooklyn. New York City just offers so many options! However, for anyone visiting me, I would aim for artistic experiences that are lesser known to those who don’t live here. For example, I would take friends to spaces in Brooklyn such as the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art (MoCADA), Weeksville Heritage Center (where one of the first free Black communities in the 19th century is preserved), and Brooklyn Museum. I would also take them to see shows at spaces such as The Joyce Theater (for contemporary dance) or The Apollo Theater. For restaurants, I am biased-as a Haitian-American, I would make sure that friends got to visit a Haitian restaurant! I would take them to Djon Djon in Brooklyn, or Rebel Restaurant & Bar in Manhattan. I also love Ethiopian food, and would take guests to a spot such as Bati or Ghenet in Brooklyn. Finally, I recommend walks through Prospect Park, Central Park and The High Line, since I love exploring nature as much as I possibly can in this city.

I would also encourage others to visit New York City in the summertime, for that is when it is most fun being here! There are so many free, outdoor events that take place here at that time, such as Central Park Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn, where one can see live art and entertainment in either series!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout-out my dance mom, Nina-Klyvert-Lawson, who is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Project Performing Arts in Harlem. I met Ms. Nina back in 1992, when she was the Director of the Dance Division at the Boys Harbor Conservatory of the Performing Arts in East Harlem. I studied dance there under her direction for eight years before pursuing my undergraduate studies in dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. It was through Ms. Nina that I first saw the many ways one could be involved in dance. She is a director, educator, administrator, dancer and choreographer. Watching her work as the director of dance at Boys Harbor helped me see that a life in dance was truly possible, and that it could involve a wide variety of possibilities. Without her inspiration, I don’t think I would have pursued dance in higher education. She is now inspiring young people in Harlem through her own organization, the aforementioned Project Performing Arts, and continues to strive towards providing an arts education for young people. I am grateful to her for her continued guidance and inspiration, and am so thankful that I have such an incredible example of what being a dance artist can mean for me.

Website: https://www.maxinemontilus.com/

Instagram: @maxinemontilus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxinemontilus/

Image Credits
ShocPhoto Imagery LLC
Shane Drummond