Senior Crystal Schayot has made an impact on campus as a dancer and choreographer. Because of her dedication to her craft, she stands out in the dance and theater community. The Lion’s Roar has recognized this and set up a question and answer segment with her to gain more insight on her unique style and experiences at Southeastern.

TLR: So first off, what initially brought you to Southeastern? What appealed to you about the University, and did it live up to your expectations?

Schayot: When I was first trying to choose which school, at which to spend my college career, I had a few options. There were schools out of state that had some great dance and visual art programs, and I even received a scholarship from the Memphis College of Art. I wound up going to Delgado Community College my first year to get some of my core curriculum classes out the way. I soon realized that I really need more out of my college experience. I started looking at in-state schools, and immediately fell in love with Southeastern. I was born in New Orleans and have stayed close my entire life. This school has a very “home-like” feel to it. I felt very comfortable when visiting the school and thought I could definitely get used to this. A lot of things really appealed to me. The fact that there were dance, theatre, and art programs had me very excited. Other aspects of the campus such as Friendship Oak, the Katrina Memorial Fountain, the performance areas and stages, and even the sculptures on display by the art gallery helped to make my decision. Looking back on everything now, this school has surpassed any original expectations I may have had. I had no idea how involved I was going to be at school until I was already in too deep. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I loved being able to do everything I had the opportunity to do and am still doing. This entire experience has caused me to have so much growth as a student, performer, artist, and person.

TLR: Next, we know you’ve competed in events like Miss Southeastern. What motivated you to go for the crown and not give up? Are there any other contests that you took part in that you would like to mention?

Schayot: The first pageant I ever did was the Miss Southeastern pageant back in 2009. It was definitely a learning experience. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or getting myself into, I just knew I wanted to get up there and dance. After an experience like that, I wanted to keep trying. I went on to do a few other pageants, including the Miss Southeastern pageants in 2011 and again this year. I’m the kind of person that will keep trying and reaching for a goal until I get it. The platform I promote through the pageants is called S.H.I.N.E. I founded this organization in May of last year. It’s purpose is to help raise scholarship funds for students who are talented in some form of artistry such as dance, visual arts, music, theatre, and anything and everything in-between. This is especially important right now because so many of these programs in schools are losing funds due to budget cuts, don’t have the necessary supplies, losing instructors, and losing entire programs. I hope that this program will soon be able to grow and prosper. I consider myself to be a genuine and honest person, who can only be myself when doing things like this. For these reasons, I currently hold the title of Miss New Orleans National Model USA, which is through a different pageant system. They loved what I had to offer. I honestly hope that I can make a difference through my efforts to compete and hopefully obtain a title through the Miss America system. I may not be “little miss perfect”, but I feel that I have so much more dynamic to my personality and have so much to offer.

TLR: What faculty members have been instrumental in your instruction and personal development in your time at Southeastern, and how did they make an impact?

Schayot: There are several faculty members who have been instrumental in my instruction and personal development during my time here. The first I would like to mention is Dr. Martie Fellom, who is truly a blessing to have here at Southeastern. She is a wonderful instructor, who teaches many of the dance classes. Dr. Fellom just has so much personality and charisma. Positivity is her key to doing anything. During the choreographic and rehearsal process of the tap concert this semester, she was right there with me every step of the way. All she ever did was encourage. Her positive attitude, energy, creative input and ideas, and encouragement all helped me to push through everything successfully. I feel she has helped me to grow so much as a choreographer, instructor, dancer and person. I pray and hope that I will continue to and be able to dance through life, as she has done. 


The next instructor I would like to mention is Dr. Amber Narro. She is such a fun and creative professor. I took only one class with her, but that one class made such an impact on me and was a huge contribution to my taking up photography. I took a Photojournalism course (COMM 121) with her back in the fall of 2010 just because I liked photography and really wanted to see how I would do in a class involving it. I wound up doing incredibly well. The assignments we were to do each week allowed me to use my creative abilities. Since then, I have started my own photography business, which is still underway, called Crystal Clear Photographie. I have also gone to the Southeast Journalism Conference the past two years and will attend again this February. Each year, I learn so much more about photography and journalism and I thank Dr. Narro for that. I will be attending the Study Abroad program in London, England this summer and have decided to take on an independent study (COMM 403) to do an Advanced Photojournalism study/assignment. I’m very excited to be able to work with again because I know that I keep learning and growing from her guidance and expertise.  


The last, but certainly not least, instructor I’d like to mention is Mr. James Winter, aka Jim. This guy is just awesome all around. He’s an amazing instructor, actor, and friend. I have had Intro to Acting, Acting for the Camera, and Advanced Acting with him so far. In the spring, I will be taking his Directing class. He, along with Dr. Narro will be with us on the study abroad trip over the summer. In addition to the independent study for Communications, I will also be doing an independent study for Theatre under Jim’s instruction and guidance. He is just so supportive and really helps me to use my creative abilities in everything I do. He encourages me to strive for excellence and to keep trying even when the stress level is high. I truly am thankful to have such a wonderful teacher who is nothing but supportive of my artistic abilities, especially theatre and dance. I would also like to thank him for the opportunities he has given me to incorporate my dancing into the theatre.

TLR: How does it make you feel to be involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, with theatrical and dance performances at Southeastern? Can you mention specific productions that you’ve taken a part in and what role you played?

Schayot: Being involved in performances here at Southeastern is not just something I want to do, it’s something I have to do and be a part of. I want to be able to put my all in everything I’m involved in. The theatre is my life. My favorite part of being a dancer is being on stage. This is where I am the most comfortable. There is no feeling like the one I feel when I am up on that stage and the adrenalin is pumping and I feel like I can do anything and everyone is watching me. Specific shows I’ve been involved with include “Murderous Innocent” as the choreographer, “7 Twisted Tales” (The scene of Pinocchia) as the choreographer, screenwright, director, and actor as Pinocchia, “The Magic Flute” as one of the Gold Statues, and the Moxie Dance Concerts which are held every semester.

TLR: Now about your personal dance style, it’s obvious that hip-hop and theatrics are an influence on you, but can you tell our readers more about how it originated and developed?

Schayot: My personal dance style is rather difficult to explain. It’s one of those things that everyone says “You would just have to see it.” I love to combine styles. This keeps things in the dance world interesting. I love being innovative and experimenting to see what can become out of what already is. There was a great deal of experimentation that went into my piece for the tap concert (“Senior Year”). I was able to successfully combine theatrics, comedy, tap, and hip hop all into one heck of a piece, if I may say so myself. My dancers gave their all and really pushed themselves and I could not be more proud and thankful for that. It paid off because the audience loved it. I am still receiving compliments for that piece and it’s been a couple weeks since the show. When I first started combining styles and experimenting, I was probably around the age of 15 or so. I started with more basic things. I tried combining jazz with lyrical, lyrical with contemporary, modern with lyrical, ballet with lyrical, jazz with musical theatre, and so on. I’m 22 now, so, I have a much clearer and better idea of how to do it. I’ve moved on to combining more contrasting styles such as hip hop and contemporary, musical theatre with lyrical, tap with hip hop, tap with contemporary, and so on. One thing I love doing is adding movement from what one may refer to as “Dubstep” movement into the “normal” styles of dance. I will continue to create, experiment, and learn. It’s something I cannot ever get tired of because there will always be something new to add. An end can never be reached. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time.  

TLR: When is your expected graduation date, and what plans do you have for afterwards? Are you planning on staying close to Southeastern or continuing to be involved with the dance programs here?

Schayot: I was originally supposed to graduate in the spring. However, after going through my courses and a little research, I realized that I was extremely close to obtaining a triple minor in dance, theatre, and psychology. So, now my graduating date is set for fall of 2013. After graduation, I will continue to work at Galloway’s Studio of Dance, which is where I work currently as a Dance Educator and Choreographer. I will, hopefully, continue to be involved with Southeastern’s dance and theatre departments. After that, my boyfriend and I are thinking about going up to New York so I can experience the dance and theatre life up there for about year. When we get back, I want to eventually open my own dance studio. This way, I can continue to educate young aspiring dancers and do their choreography. I also plan on continuing to paint, do photography, model, and act. In fact, I had an “epiphany-like” idea recently. I would like to find a way to start a program that combines theatre and dance. It would be a sort of middle ground between the theatre, with plays and musicals, and the dance studio, with choreographed dances. It would be a different way of looking at things, from both areas.

TLR: What kind of legacy, if any, do you hope to leave behind for students that might see you as an inspiration? Do you have any tips for dancers looking to develop their own personal style?

Schayot: If I am leaving some kind of legacy for students who see me as an inspiration, I would hope that it would be one keeps the faith alive for artists, performing, visual, or whatever they may be. I would want them to push for and pursue their dreams no matter what. I want these programs to thrive and that can only happen if everyone, especially the students, is on board. I would hope that original, “out-the-box” ideas are encouraged. Artists can do anything, many just never realize it. When you feel like giving up on it, that’s when you should be giving it your all. My advise to dancers who want to develop their own style would be to try everything. Try all styles of dance and find which ones really suit you and your personality and go from there. Experiment, create, change, improv, freestyle, and have fun. That is the most important thing. 

TLR: Have there been any difficulties of note or adversity that you’ve had to overcome to get where you are?

Schayot: There has actually been a great number of difficulties and adversity that I’ve had to overcome to get where I am. Every time adversity presents itself to me, I overcome it and am even stronger than I was before. I have had to deal with a lot, especially through my time in high school and college. Even people in my life that I have held closest and dearest to me have been very unsupportive. I’ve had people tell me things such as “You can’t do that,” “You won’t succeed doing something like that,” “You can’t make a career out of dance” and “I don’t understand you or your dancing or your art. I just don’t get it or the point of it all.” However, these are only words. While they say all these things, I laugh and never say anything. I let my art do the talking. If artists could say through words what they wish to say, they wouldn’t need art. All of my explanation for anything could easily be performed or created into something universally understandable. I hate the feeling of being pushed around, ignored, and held back. However, being the “rebel” that I am, I’ve learned that I just have to roll with the punches, do what I do best, and do the opposite of everything they say. It proves something to myself, and to everyone around me. That is why I keep pushing.  If they don’t understand, it’s usually because they don’t want to. Thankfully, I also have those people who are supportive and always encourage me. My boyfriend, friends, and teachers all fall into this category. They are always pushing me to do my best because they know I will. I don’t know if I could have done all that I have without their love and support. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to and I wouldn’t change a thing.