# data[].attributes.body
This winter break was very well needed due to my rocky semester. I am coming into this semester ready to blow it out the water. I am so beyond excited that Jennifer is coming to set a piece and I hope that I get cast in it. The habits I have created during the break are so healthy that it is very important I carry them into this semester. As of right now I am beyond excited and extremely hopeful to be potentially cast in her work. I have been watching Jennifers work since high school and am feeling very blessed to audition with her on Monday.

POEM : BECOME
I may fail.
I might not win.
But when I fall I get up again.
I try my best. Learn from my mistakes. Throughout my life and Throughout my day. When I'm challenged I will not succumb Perseverance is how I Become.

SONG CHOICE : Sunshine - Mallin
https://open.spotify.com/track/0BrLYypyofKrqUYsq5x6gn?si=d46_y-iQSKeyyvUwIB0cdg

# data[].attributes.body
This Winter break was a time for growth, reflection, and lots of dancing. I spent so much time in the studio and creating the best habits to bring into this next semester. I am so grateful to be back in this space with all my fellow artists and can’t wait to see how we all grow this semester. I am excited to get back into the groove of things and finish this semester with 150% effort.

POEM : CALM WATERS
We set out on life's ocean filled with turbulent waves, often looking for calmer waters
in which to stay and bathe. We seek to find happiness
all of us want to find. Some times, we find a friend, who will take us by the hand,
leading us to those calm waters
we were looking for.
David Harris

SONG CHOICE : Tell me something - Nas Elmes, Toomas
https://open.spotify.com/track/5XlzuIySfqhqMv5MqjHj6H?si=727rblEtTkK_JSDhJCe_lw

# data[].attributes.body
What was challenging - A challenging aspect I faced was doing the familiar when improving. In improv I am used to sticking with the movement quality I am used to and need to dive deeper into a new method of moving during audition settings.

What was exciting - Dancing with all my peers as well as the freshman class. Dancing with new faces is so refreshing and something that I love so much.

How would being in this project help me grow?- I can be pushed in this piece by the idea of needing structure. I love and need structure when working in pieces and this would grow me in a way of letting that expectation go.

POEM : Sarah Elle Emm
If could turn back the clock knowing how my heart would ache, you would still be the one, the risk that i
would have to take.

SONG CHOICE : Rostro
https://open.spotify.com/track/3z0Anl7JCR4yOJtkIlkS2W?si=m330vAR4S4ycqTRTgBiXHg

# data[].attributes.body
What was challenging - Fully committing to the acting / role of her grandparents of the olden times and also committing to the role with some one your not super comfortable being vulnerable with.

What was exciting - Acting with different partners was really fun and watching people’s creativity show through their personalities was very entertaining and lighthearted.

How would being in this project help me grow? - I feel like this work can make me grow in my personality / acting on stage and taking on new personas as a dancer.

POEM : Elderly Love
Swinging, falling in love all over again, an elderly couple dancing, holding one
another closely. Enjoying intimate safe contact in front of others, love showing through their eyes, shining happily from their souls
onto each other

SONG CHOICE : Just the two of us
https://open.spotify.com/track/1ko2lVN0vKGUl9zrU0qSlT?si=6jPG0UaNTH2qhQDTyNIbXA

# data[].attributes.body
What was something exciting - using voice and improv in an audition setting with tasks.

What was challenging - becoming vocal and aggressive in front of your partner In a vulnerable way.

How would being in this project help me grow?- again this work would help me in vocal work on stage as well as working on improving in front of a new choreographer.

POEM : Timothy Joshua
To love is to be vulnerable;
to say, "I trust you."
"I trust you not to destroy me.

SONG CHOICE : Johann Johnson - Epilogue
https://open.spotify.com/track/47DeTufpEGrePu6TaVEuoN?si=hEGmPHMETQOnpU6qi5VEcQ

# data[].attributes.body
What was challenging - something challenging during this was fully committing to bold choices on the spot and not second guessing yourself. Another challenging aspect was doing movements that included a lot of fast floor work in short period of Time.

What was exciting - taking on different personas as we were dancing was very fun as well as acting like non dancers / humans in the world.

How would being in this project help me grow? - this work would help me get more comfortable in theatre / dancing work by bringing out an extreme personality on stage.

POEM : CHAOS IS THE NEW CALM
Chaos is the new calm violence the new balm to be spread on lips
unused to a kiss. Left is the new right as I brace for a fight with a man who stands
on his remaining hand. Fetid harbor harbor me until someone is free to drive me away
from what happened today.
Don't strand me standing here.
If you leave, leave beer.
WYN COOPER 263

SONG CHOICE : Onuka - Vidlik
https://open.spotify.com/track/1Q73nKAPXcMfwXp51af9VU?si=82shWnXtQ1KWJSbrOB9MCg

# data[].attributes.body
What was something exciting - running on during entrances and exits was exciting right before you start your improv phrase.

What was challenging - making choreography fast was challenging because we had pressure on showcasing our best selves.

How would being in this project help me grow? - This work can help me grow my improv and creativity when it comes to making new movement and creating new movement fast.

POEM : THE DANCE
I will not have you without the darkness
that hides within you. I will not let you have me without the madness
that makes me. If our demons cannot dance,
neither can we.
Nikita Gill

SONG CHOICE : John Adam’s - Hallelujah
https://open.spotify.com/track/4MFh28Ze0MsLgTu0RtpW1M?si=dHsKd6H9QmSH84PXyKs37A

# data[].attributes.body
What was something exciting? -
Learning from Jennifer was so exciting especially because I’ve been wanting to work with her since high school. I went to Booker T. Washington and she came and taught, ever since then I have been watching her work, and have been very inspired ever since. It feels like an actual dream to be cast in her peace, and I have never been more grateful in my life, it truly feels like an honor to be working with her in person

What was challenging? -
A challenging aspect was her teaching choreography very quickly and me trying to make it the best I physically can with an extreme amount of pressure on me (that I obviously put on myself.) I wanted to impress her and show her I am capable, but sometimes when you care too much about what the choreographer is thinking g about you, you start making simple mistakes and stressing over the small things and the process becomes more stressful then it should be.

How will this piece help me grow? -
This piece has already helped me grow my movement quality and my artistic choices. Jennifer‘s movement is so specific and very similar to what you do in the professional world in concert dance. I have grown so much on just the first day of working with her and can’t wait to see where I will be at the end of this week. She pushes us to limits that we thought we couldn’t reach and I am forever Grateful for that. Thank you so much for bringing in Jennifer and I will remember this process for the rest of my life.

# data[].attributes.body
The words to describe this week are unforgettable and truly life changing. Being in this piece is such an honor and have grown mentally / physically. Working with Jennifer was a reality check on where I am currently in my dance journey and where I should be. The words that came from Jennifer were so valuable and important to me. I will have Jennifer's words with me for the rest of my life. Jennifer and I had a conversation about my my career and I have never felt more at peace about my future. She is so knowledgeable and truly my biggest inspiration. I will forever cherish this residency and my life long friends made through this process.

How have you grown? In this piece I have grown so much. I have grown in picking up choreography, especially because she moves so fast. My brain was definitely pushed as well as much Body. I feel like my creativity has also expanded on exhausting every option when it comes to improv. I have never been the strongest in improv and I can now say I am the start of something great.

What was a challenge in this work? I challenge I faced in this work was being anxious and dancing in fear. I wasn't dancing in fear the entire time but for the first half I definitely was until I had a heart to heart with Jennifer. Even though it was a challenge I learned that I dance well under stress and make better choices artistically.

What have you taught yourself? I have taught myself how to take criticism in the best way and how to control my emotions. I have taught myself how to contain emotions even when they want to come out. I taught myself that I am good enough to be here.

# data[].attributes.body
This was something so electric and exciting. Nothing compared to the feeling of being onstage dancing next to my best friends doing Choreo I love the most. I will never forget this experience and this memory will forever love with me. Thank you so much for this amazing gift to work with Jennifer.

Feeling : On top of the world