That Girl Spotlight: Tina Carreras

Meet Tina Carreras — a powerhouse of movement, creativity, and care. Whether she’s choreographing for the stage, teaching modern dance to older adults, or leading fitness classes that celebrate strength at every age, Tina embodies what it means to move with purpose.

Q: Your upcoming show is titled “One Pie at a Time.” Can you share the story or metaphor behind that title, and how it shapes the movement on stage?

This title took a while to come by because we really wanted to capture all the things we were exploring and trying to say through our work. Our show delves into feminized identity, perspectives, and experiences within a patriarchal society — touching on themes like assumed gender roles, body image, sexuality, and objectification. That’s when we started thinking about pie. It’s a loaded symbol: slang for vagina, often used in sexual references, tied to the image of the housewife baking in the kitchen, and also a classic comfort food. While researching, I even came across a pie company whose mission was “breaking down the patriarchy, one pie at a time” — and it just clicked. It was the perfect title.

Q: I know how much you love film and filming choreography. How has working with the camera added another layer to your creative process or inspired new directions in your movement?

Film has become a new passion of mine. It allows me to go beyond the stage/studio/rehearsal space and explore another realm. It captures the moments we don’t see in real time. Film can slow those moments down and expand them. You can tell a different story on camera. 

I have two projects I am working on that both involve film as an added component to choreography that is being set on stage. One sets the scene of the coming dance while the other compliments the dance at the same time. I get to play more and share two sides of my artistry at the same time.

Q: You teach a class called “Adults and Aging Creatively” at San Diego Dance Theatre. What have you learned from working with older adults that’s changed your perspective on creativity and the body?

I have been involved with movement as a career for 20 years now, with fitness/exercise being the starting off point. As I’ve aged, my priorities have as well. I appreciate moving the body well and feeling good over just the aesthetic component. You attract like-minded individuals. My clientele has morphed into aging adults. They are the demographic I want to work with. Teaching dance to older adults is so rewarding. There’s an appreciation for movement to be its own, not perfect, not polished, but adaptable and flexible to the body that’s giving it space to come alive. I see the body for what it's capable of and that’s different for everyone. It’s really lovely to watch how someone interprets the movement I give them onto their body.

“I appreciate moving the body and moving well...and within that, the aesthetic component takes last priority.”

-Tina Carreras

Q: Choreographing a theatrical performance requires more than steps — it's storytelling through bodies. What story are you most passionate about telling right now through your choreography?

The theatrical performance has the dance, the costume, the acting, the transitions, and the visual pictures. It has a thread line so that you can follow the story. It has to have contrast and variety- there are so many moving parts. I really want the audience and the people engaging with my choreography to learn about me- my life, my upbringing, my insecurities, my experiences, my visions, my creativity, and the impressions those things have made on me. I’m really not that deep, so I like to have fun and keep it simple/gestural/understandable.

Q: Do you think movement has the power to heal? Can you recall a time where dance or physical activity helped you (or someone close to you) move through something emotionally difficult?

Yes, I do. I think movement is a part of that process for sure. I think that we all need to find a connection to something and dance is what works for me. I’m going through it right now, actually. A really close friend and dance partner just passed away tragically from a heart attack recently. We had so many things to do together. It’s not fair. Joanne was a part of two of my upcoming projects and it feels hard to carry on without her. She would want that though, because dance was such a huge part of her life. As I adapt to the dances without her, I have to go to uncomfortable spaces. I am creating a film around her movement and I am reminded that life is short and there is so much beauty to be aware of in each moment we are given. I get to spend time with her through dance footage (and in spirit) and that is helping me not forget. It’s helping me heal.

Q: How has your understanding of the body — both physically and artistically — evolved over time?

I feel like I appreciate it more. It’s ever changing. I give it more grace and time. I understand that we all don’t move and look the same in our artistry and it gives me permission to just be.

Q: On your Instagram, you often share incredible videos of yourself dancing through unique spaces — like a basement with a mirror and pool table, a beachside patio, or in front of a mural. What draws you to these environments, and how do they reflect why you love to dance?

I was on a kick there for a bit to create something every time I traveled to a new place, whether it be local or out of state. I would always try to find a location that inspired me, whether indoors or outdoors, and then I would just film myself moving for at least 10 minutes–no set choreo. Since I love the film and editing process, I gave myself permission to turn it into something short and something I could share on IG. I’ve been having a harder time finding that motivation lately, but I know I will get back there someday. We just got back from Switzerland and Italy, and I’m kind of bummed I didn’t capture any footage. Sometimes I just need a break from creating for myself — I think I’m in a season of needing to seek out more inspiration.

Rapid Fire Questions

One word to describe your movement style? Basic!

A dance move you secretly love but never teach? Box steps and pivot turns (but I do throw them in there every once in a while)

Dream dance collaboration? Lauren Christie

First dance performance you ever saw that changed you? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun1985 and Solid Gold TV Show

If your dance style were a dessert, what would it be? Vanilla ice cream, kinda basic & boring to start out with until I add some toppings to make it a bit more interesting

Follow Tina Carreras for updates on her upcoming shows

Tina Carreras is a Dancer, Choreographer, Teaching Artist, and Personal Fitness Instructor. Her passion is movement as a form of creative expression, self-care, and community building. She has been performing, choreographing, and volunteering in the San Diego dance community for the past 6 years with organizations such as San Diego Dance Theater, Disco Riot, Malashock, Ballet Counterpointe, and Mounarath Powell Productions. Tina teaches an Aging Creatively Modern class for San Diego Dance Theater and Seated Dance classes in Memory Care and Assisted Living homes for Grey Matters. She is currently working on the Conrad Prebys Foundation‘s Healing Through The Arts Grant with San Diego Dance Theater and Malashock Dance. Tina is also co-creating a theatrical dance production for the 2025 San Diego International Fringe Festival- this has been the highlight of her artistic career.

Sign up for her Aging Creatively class at San Diego Dance Theater: sandiegodancetheater.org/adult-aging-creatively or grab tickets to her upcoming dance show: sdfringe.org/tickets25

Follow her on instagram @tinacar8