By MIKE MCKENNA
If you know anyone who has danced in the Wood River Valley over the last four decades—from ballet to hip-hop, modern to jazz or tap—he or she likely has Footlight Dance Centre to thank.
Hilarie Neely is the heroine behind Footlight Dance. Ever since fate first brought her to Sun Valley in 1980, Hillary has been a tireless and impassioned force for the dance community in the Wood River Valley.
“We provide the spark and help people pursue their passions,” Hilarie said. “We also help provide educational enrichment through dance and support opportunities for everyone to see and enjoy dance as an artistic expression.”
Hilarie first came to Sun Valley as a member of the Portland Dance Theater. She had recently graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Dance and had no idea that a tour stop in Idaho would change her life.
After spending a day running a dance program in a Quonset hut for the then-Sun Valley Center of the Arts & Humanities, Hilarie was asked to accompany a fellow dancer on a blind double date. She met a local guy, Steve Job. “We fell in love and the rest,” as she says, “is history.”
Hilarie moved to the Gem State shortly thereafter and immediately immersed herself in the region’s dance community. She helped found an ensemble that toured Idaho and Wyoming, became involved with the Idaho Commission on the Arts, and in 1984 she founded Footlight Dance Centre.
“I am extremely passionate about dance and I work 24/7,” Hilarie said. “I try to run our program like what you’d find in a big city. We work with everyone from four-year-olds to aspiring professionals. So kids can move on for here if they want and have a good foundation to do anything.”
Hilarie has taught thousands of local kids over the decades, but one of her favorite things to do is to share her art form with local schools each year.
For 35 years now, Hilarie has led School Enrichment Performances, free for all Blaine County students. This winter, the touring troupe from Footlight will be performing “Water Is Life.” The performances will use different styles of dance to express the lifecycle of water.
“We show how the arts can bring new ways to think about and see things,” Hilarie explained. “It’s a great way for us to give back to the community and make sure local kids can experience dance at least once a year.”
Interestingly enough, boys tend to have the strongest reactions from these annual performances and how athletic the dancers are. “They will come up to me afterwards or see me around town,” Hilarie said, “and they’ll say, ‘You’re the dance lady. That was awesome!’”
The dance scene has been pretty awesome locally ever since Hilarie landed here. But as much as she has done for our community, she feels like the lucky one.
“I feel really blessed that I could pursue my passion in such a beautiful place and be able to positively impact so many people over the years,” she said.
“Water Is Life” will take place from January 23–February 1, including a free public performance at the Community Campus in Hailey at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31. Find out more at FootlightDance.com.