Dancer Atlas Hovdesven loads the stagecraft powerup at summer intensive

Dancer Atlas Hovdesven started dancing when he was 2 years old. He began studying contemporary dance in 2023 at Opus Performing Arts and began dance classes at Western in 2024.

“I grew up in Bellingham, so I chose to attend WWU mostly because I love the natural beauty and community here in Bellingham.”

This summer, Hovdesven left Bellingham to learn more about the production side of dance.

While combing the internet for summer intensive opportunities, Hovdesven found the American Dance Festival Internships at Duke University and settled on the Stagecraft Apprenticeship, which gives participants the opportunity to take dance classes while doing stage production work.

The 92-year-old American Dance Festival is devoted to modern and contemporary dance, drawing thousands from around the world to Duke each summer to performances and intensive classes.

From 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., six to seven days each week, Hovdesven worked behind the scenes producing shows for the dance festival’s headline shows, including Jesse Factor's “Marthaoddyssey,” and Kimberly Bartosik's “blUr,” and performances by Mark Morris Dance Group, Paul Taylor Dance Co., Shen Wei Dance Arts, and Pilobolus. He also ran sound and projection for “Footprints,” a student performance.

Hovdesven worked long hours in exchange for housing and the opportunity to take two classes during the festival’s Summer Dance Intensive with Stephanie Liapis and Kurt Douglas, along with master classes with some of the touring companies.

“Working with the companies was definitely the highlight of the experience, and I made some amazing connections,” Hovdesven said. “The connections and friendships I made with the other interns from across the country and world will also be very valuable to my life and career.”

Hovdesven had a limited background in the technical aspects of stage production going in.

“Mark Morris Dance Group's Lighting Supervisor Mike Faba taught me a lot about lighting and programming as well as the history of the company. I also had a few meaningful conversations with the founders of Pilobolus backstage, and a lot of their crew actually went through the ADF production internship!”

After nearly two months of long days working closely with the stage crew, Hovdesven walked away with a broad skillset – including lighting, electrics, sound, rigging and stage management. These core stagecraft skills qualify Hovdesven to start working in dance production and technical theatre immediately after graduation.

“It felt like there was always space to ask questions and dig deeper, which is something that the industry doesn’t see a lot of,” he said.

Working long days throughout June and July brought the production crew together. Hovdesven had the opportunity to work with international students from Taiwan, which was “a really amazing cultural exchange.”

Connections Hovdesven made this summer are also potential collaborators, which opens the door to opportunities working with dance companies. “We had a lot of fun together in and outside of work.”

Hovdesven has two more years of study at Western. He looks back to Winter Dances 2026 as the most notable performance at WWU so far.

“I performed in a piece with two of my close friends who I met through the dance department, choreographed by our other good friend. It was a very emotionally charged piece, and it brought us closer as artists and people.” The group formed an artistic bond that Hovdesven feels will continue to flourish in the professional world.

In addition to dancing at Western, Hovdesven runs a Bellingham-based dance company, A Very Queer Ballet. One of Hovdesven’s fellow American Dance Festival interns is planning to come to Bellingham to join the crew for one of his company's shows this fall.

“There is no denying that pursuing a career in the arts is a risk, but committing your life to creating art and doing what you love is one of the most gratifying decisions you will ever make.”

Learn more about taking dance classes at Western.

Chris Casquilho covers Western’s College of Fine and Performing Arts for University Communications. Email him story ideas at chris.casquilho@wwu.edu