Profile of Dancemaster Paul Giles

Mastering the Dance

For 16 years Paul Giles (known in the Society for Creative Anachronism--SCA--as Master Giles Hill of Sweetwater) has swept up and down revel halls, participating in, and more often leading, couples in rousing English Country dances, complex Italian court dances, graceful English court dances, and even ornate French court dances. Although he had no formal dance background before he joined the Society, today Master Giles is one of the best-known personalities in the SCA in regards to the art of dance. Not only is he well-versed in most dances popular in the SCA, he is impossible to miss on the dance floor with his exquisitely tailored, six-foot-five figure dominating the scene.

It was at the Steppes Warlord Tournament in Texas. People danced outside on the green on a hot, muggy, Southern evening. A consort of Renaissance instruments played in the Texas night, and the lilting music of the recorders and the easy laughter of the dancers drew him irresistibly. "When I first joined the SCA, I saw some people dancing, and I was instantly attracted," Paul says. "Fortunately, they were willing to teach me, and I've been dancing ever since."

These days, Paul's interest takes him into many different aspects of dance, including Victorian ballroom, square dance, and occasionally Regency and Contra. His current favorite form within the SCA is Italian Court. He explains, "I love the intricacy and the beautiful floor patterns involved, as well as the music. It embodies the philosophy of the Elizabethan age--very polished and controlled." Outside the Society, he enjoys country-western dancing, primarily because he does not have to run the events. This gives him a better opportunity to mingle and meet people.

It was Paul's own background in teaching (he runs a continuing education school for an insurance company), along with his intense interest in the field of dance, that catapulted him into the role of dance teacher, and this provides him the greatest satisfaction. It has been said of him that, "He can teach a chair to dance, if it is a reasonably cooperative chair." According to Paul, "Many have the knowledge of dance, and many can perform a dance, but many cannot teach dance." He feels that his largest contribution to the field has been to make dance accessible to large numbers of people.

One method he used to reach more students was making the School for Scoundrels Dance Video/Audio set. The producer, Laura Crockett (Known in the SCA as Senorita Laura Cazador de Guzman), decided that she wanted to develop this project to spread the knowledge and enjoyment of historical dance. She found the locations (the interior scenes were shot at the Globe Theater in West Hollywood), chose the dances to demonstrate, and brought the cast together, asking her friend Paul to perform and teach in the video. Paul described the experience as challenging, exciting, and very, very warm. He says, "The best part of making the video is the thought of being able to share knowledge of dance with people I'd never be able to meet physically." The next video under consideration may feature Italian court dance. Paul admits he is not interested in production aspects of the videos, but says with a smile that he will happily stand in front of the camera.

Despite his high level of experience, this was the first year Paul has danced at the San Bernadino Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Jeff Bissiri, who serves in the capacity of guild master for the Guild of St. George, a court guild, had tried for years to get Paul to dance with them, but this was the first time it came together. So what is it like to perform at Faire?

"It depends a great deal on the weather. When it's 110 degrees in the shade, it's hell on earth. This year though, it was mostly cool and moist. Lovely dancing weather."

Since Paul describes his involvement with dance as enthusiastic to fanatical, it is not surprising to know that the Guild of St. George is not the only group he is involved in. One can find him dancing with the Social Daunce Irregulars (Victorian), the Golden State Squares (a gay square dance club), and at Floyds, a gay country-western nightclub in Long Beach, CA. He plans to become more involved with Victorian dance, and to continue teaching in the SCA through the annual Dance Collegium. Paul says he may someday start an SCA performance group.

So what does dance contribute to the medieval world? Paul feels it is one of the most important aspects of period recreation. It can move you physically backwards in time. "It facilitates period interaction," he explains. "And it provides people with the opportunity to be improvisational. The stage is set, the music is playing, and you know the steps. Now you can go out there and interact with people on the same level it was done hundreds of years ago."

Since Paul entered the world of dance in the SCA 16 years ago, he has seen great changes in the art. It has grown vastly in numbers and popularity. "There are more people involved, more people willing to go and participate," he muses. "Also, there has been some stellar research in the field conducted by SCA members. That was almost unheard of when I started."

"That's good," he smiles. "More people should dance."

If you are interested in learning about or performing historical dance, we have listed here names, addresses, and websites of various organizations to contact:

The SCA is a non-profit organization which specializes in Western European history from approximately 1000 A.D to 1600 A.D. Many dancemasters are available to teach a wide variety of dances from this time period. Ms. Signorotti can direct you to a contact for your area.

This is not a membership-oriented organization. They give performances and workshops, and work out choreography. They specialize in Western European Renaissance, Baroque, 19th century ballet, and 19th & early 20th century social dance.

The Foundation sells related books and video tapes.

Mr. Hendrickson researches and reconstructs 18th century American dances especially the minuet, and acts as a dance advisor. He and his wife occasionally give workshops. He also works as an unofficial dance teacher for the Living History Foundation.

Specializes in English & American country dance. Founded in 1915.

A Victorian dance group. The Social Dance Irregulars can also be contacted for information about the Guild of St. George.

You can contact Paul Giles at Gileshill@aol.com

Information on Master Giles video and audio dance instruction set.

Go to previous story: Profile of a Renaissance Fair Blacksmith, Frank Garland

Go to next story: What Makes Normally Sane Adults Love the SCA So Much?

Return to: Articles Index

This page was last updated Tuesday, 27-May-2003 13:20:49 EDT