Whitney Willis Hebert has studied, performed, and created dance for the better part of 30 years.  She is involved in the Lafayette dance community as Assistant Director for Morgan Street Dance Company and as a company member of Basin Arts.  Recent credits include: directing and choreographing THIRST as a part of Acadiana Center for the Arts- Residency @ The Center program; performing in Basin Dance Collective’s Sports Suites and Surface; choreographing for the 2017 & 2020 performances of UL’s State of La Danse; choreographing and performing for Mother Of – Piano Reworks, Live at the Marigny Opera House. 

Who makes up your art circle?

Dance students, colleagues, co-workers, friends, family, anyone I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with creatively, regardless of the medium.  I find it creates a lasting, familial-type bond.  I’m always giddy when I look around because I’m surrounded by dancers, musicians, painters, choreographers, videographers, photographers, lighting designers, writers, you name it.  They’re my favorite people.

How do you expand your art circle?

It ends up just happening naturally.  Artists/creatives can usually just sniff each other out and tend to naturally link up whether that’s to collaborate or just talk shop over coffee.  Being a part of Basin Arts has drastically opened and diversified my circle over the last 5 years with people of all mediums coming and going all the time.  If you don’t end up working together, you end up experiencing each other’s work in some form over there.

What value do you see in having a creative community?

Where to begin?! I find it not only valuable but vital to find your creative tribe.  They are the ones that fill your well, give you life, feed your light so that you can continue to do your work and reciprocate that gift. I believe so hard that creativity is one of the easiest routes to happiness, and when you have people around you who are constantly in that state of flow, it’s even easier, right?

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

While I’m not a mountain mover in this community, I do enjoy helping those who do.  I love helping to direct a dance studio that is encouraging and inclusive.  I love teaching kids the artistry and discipline of dance.  I love being a dancer in Lafayette’s first modern dance company in 25 years.  And I love adding my own work to the collective of art in our community every now and then.  I don’t have an exact answer for what my contribution is, but I’m always around to lend a hand if anyone needs it!