By Daily Titan
Published: December 08, 2009

By Rachel Salas
For the Daily Titan

Arched feet, poised posture and linear arms.

A large stage amplified with lights in the background.

A theater filled with occupied seats of an anxious audience.

This is the life to which Cal State Fullerton senior dance major Brad Beakes, 22, has become accustomed.

Beakes began his interest in dance in the eighth grade.

Mimicking dance moves from popular music videos performers such as Usher and ‘NSync, Beakes recognized his own talent and began performing at school dances and assemblies.

“At the end of my freshman year in high school, I ended up branching off of sports and decided to devote my time to dance. I’d go to a dance studio and take 10 – 15 hours during the week,” he said.

Full of energy and engraved with a permanent smile, Beakes happily describes a typical day of an accomplished theater dancer.

He wakes up early on Monday morning with a long day ahead of him.

He finds his way to a Starbucks on campus and quickly inhales a breakfast sandwich.

A 9 a.m. ballet class kicks off the day for an hour and 40 minutes.

“The classes are pretty physically challenging,” he said. “After my first dance class, I’ll have a general education course about thirty minutes later, for an hour.”

Rushing back to the dance studio from class, Beakes participates in his second dance class of the day for nearly two more hours.

With two changes of clothes thrown about in a beige side-bag, Beakes changes his attire before he attends his composition course.

He walks down the halls of the Performing Arts Building and is happily greeted by other dancers and faculty.

An array of high-fives and hugs are exchanged, with praised conversation of his recent performance.
Completely humbled, Beakes takes the compliments in with grace.

It is clear that there are tightly sealed bonds established among Beakes and his colleagues.

“You sweat with these people. When you see someone day in and day out, you get to see their progress and they get to see yours,” he said. “I love it. Some of my best friends are here in the dance program. I’m very thankful I am able to work with such humble and loving people.”

“Mr. Beakes is one of CSUF’s renaissance men – a true gentleman, savvy student of the world, reliable arts leader and intriguing dancer,” said Jim Volz, a theater and dance professor.

“It has been a great pleasure to have been a part of Brad’s journey,” said Gladys Kares, a dance coordinator.

Composition class gets out at 5 p.m., and Beakes heads to Panera Bread to eat before he has to be back at 6 p.m. for a nightly rehearsal.

Beakes has been working with his mentor Mike Esperanza on a modern piece called “Unoccupied,” which displays men and women trying to fit into a social arena.

The piece incorporates modern dance, ballet, jazz and hip-hop.

Beakes gets home around 10:30 p.m., fixes himself a quick meal, takes a shower and goes to bed.
Tomorrow he must do it all over again.

Beakes’ current focus is on Fall Dance Theatre, a compilation of various dancer’s efforts throughout the semester.

“Auditions begin with choreographers that want to have pieces in the show. They look for dancers that day so you’ll find out which pieces you’ve gotten into,” he said. “You have about six weeks to get your piece together with your choreographer. About 10 are auditioned and only four get into the show.”

Beakes spoke on this performance in the recent Fall Dance Theatre production.

“I’m super sentimental because this is my last semester here. I feel like I’ve grown in each concert. Now I feel confident on stage,” he said.