Experiencing Interruptions?

Call Them Athletes

In exchange for disrespect and a lack of funding, collegiate dancers give more than their all to their schools. Three midwest dance teams showcase the accomplishments and talents of their programs, and reveal the dark side of dance team.

  • Torin Jade Ives
    Director
  • Kelly Jankowski
    Producer
  • Taylor Peterson
    Director of Photography
  • Ava Major
    Assistant Editor
  • Kaitlyn Hribar
    Camera Operator
  • Maura Flanagan
    Camera Operator
  • Maya Gherman
    Sound Engineer
  • Taylor Peterson
    Sound Engineer
  • Torin Ives
    Editor
  • Lauren Caputo
    Key Cast
  • Rael Orao
    Key Cast
  • Krista Valivicius
    Key Cast
  • Alaina Combs
    Key Cast
  • Arianna Combs
    Key Cast
  • Sophie Mervenne
    Key Cast
  • Jacki Winchester-Jones
    Key Cast
  • Addison Flynn
    Key Cast
  • Livi Graving
    Key Cast
  • Kylie Ryder
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 28, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - DePaul University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Torin Jade Ives

Originally from Durand, Michigan, Torin Ives fell in love with film in early adolescence. She began studying in an International Baccalaureate Film Studies course in 2017. In 2023 she graduated from DePaul University's film school with a concentration in editing. "Call Them Athletes" is her first director credit and she is currently progressing her career in long-form editing.

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Director Statement

I started dancing at the age of three, and I always felt the silent (or loud) judgement from others when I explained that was my sport of choice. All of my peers in elementary school would constantly remind me that "dance is not a sport!" Going into college dance, I felt like I could finally say to my peers, "See! This Division One University made me sign a contract that says I am apart of athletics! I train in the same gym as the basketball players!" But of course, those young boys and girls grow up to be men and women. So the cycle continues.
Collegiate dance is stuck in a stalemate. Dance cannot be considered a sport if the lack of funding and respect prevents the opportunity for competition amongst dance teams. The national college dance competitions are monopolized by separate organizations. So… if dance is a part of athletics, but it is not NCAA regulated… then the dancers and their conditions fall through the cracks.
While my time on a college dance team brought me some of the best memories I could ever hope of creating, it also ruined me. Mentally, physically and emotionally. It ruined my love for dance. I’m not sure exactly where I am pointing my finger to indicate a solution. But what I do know, is that if collegiate dance continues to be ignored and unregulated, it will continue to worsen for incoming generations of dancers. As a culture, we are slowly progressing towards equal treatment of men and women in college sports. But dancers need your help.
I hope this film sheds some light on how truly grueling it is to be a collegiate dancer. I hope people realize that dancers get nothing in return for their dedication and their pain. This film is the beginning of the conversation. I was stuck and I was angry. I’m not stuck anymore. But I am still angry. Not at one person or even two people, but at the system. Collegiate dancers are given nothing- and told to say thank you.
Nothing changes if nothing changes.

I would also like to take a moment to express that you will notice the entire cast of this film is female. The crew for this film was also 100% female and non-binary. Amazingly, this happened on accident. May the future of filmmaking continue down this path.