# data[].attributes.headline
What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having?

# data[].attributes.subject
What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having?

# data[].attributes.body
This experience encourages me to think seriously about what I envision for myself after college. At this point in my life, I'm realizing that some of the things I wanted don't necessarily fit me the way I thought they would. The projects I imagined I would enjoy, the people I thought I would be spending time with. And in my dance practice, this means thinking about the techniques I want to give my time to and the avenues I see myself flourishing in.

# data[].attributes.body
Equinox has taught me how to find peace in situations that don't directly offer it. I've learned what is important for me in a ritual. I need time alone, time to assess my body and adhere to what it needs. I like to be prepared, arriving early, already close to stage ready, except for a costume and extensive warmup. Most importantly, I need an extended time of silence. Right before the curtain comes up, I need to be in touch with my breath and steady my mind.

# data[].attributes.body
This show has made me more comfortable taking up space on stage, being comfortable with the idea of many people looking at me. I've gained a greater ability to convey complex emotions in long pieces and reset between each respective piece to accurately adhere to what the work requires.

# data[].attributes.headline
What has been a challenge for you in this process?

# data[].attributes.subject
What has been a challenge for you in this process?

# data[].attributes.body
The biggest challenge in this piece has been fighting exhaustion in all its forms. There is the physical fight. Post-show, my back is inflamed, my ankle is tight, and my hip has lost some mobility. But I know I will be fine.

Then there's the emotional exhaustion. I am pretty sure there was only one show where I did not cry. And tears take a lot out of you. By the end of each night, all I wanted to do was crawl into a ball and wait for sleep to find me.

Lastly, performing in this show each night required a lot of mental strength. I felt a serious sense of dread each night, and I often didn't feel relieved until I finished each piece. This was a new feeling for me; I've never had such mixed feelings about performing.

# data[].attributes.headline
What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What connections are you making between this experience and other life experiences you are having? 

# data[].attributes.body
I'm aware that this point in my life is one of transition and uncertainty. This DRT cycle is pushing me to test my limits and to question what I believe to be true about myself. I'm seeing that I am capable of a lot more than I thought, and I feel implored to keep doing more. But, I am also aware that I must take care of myself and strive to live as a human first and a dancer after.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lizzie Berchie - Growth (Official Acoustic)

# data[].attributes.headline
What have you done to further the intentions and goals you set for yourself at the top of the semester?

# data[].attributes.subject
What have you done to further the intentions and goals you set for yourself at the top of the semester?

# data[].attributes.body
If I'm honest, I'm no longer clear about the intentions I had set for this semester. My recurring goals tend to be giving as much as I have and enjoying the processes I am in. But right now, I feel a need to set a goal of giving myself grace. And to further this intention, I'd like to start being specific about the time I designate as for me and me only. I need to be more aware of how I'm spending my time, and why. And I need to be better at leaving unideal events after they happen.

# data[].attributes.headline
What's next for you in this process? What do you want to continue doing or manifest anew? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What's next for you in this process? What do you want to continue doing or manifest anew? 

# data[].attributes.body
Both pieces

Next for me in this process is finding the mental and physical stamina to run this show. Both pieces require a lot of awareness of the energy. Energy being exerted, energy being cultivated, and the energy that stays with me when the performance is over. I'm hoping to manage these responsibilities better as the process continues.

# data[].attributes.headline
What have you learned from someone else in your cast and/or the choreographer/creative leaders of your project? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What have you learned from someone else in your cast and/or the choreographer/creative leaders of your project? 

# data[].attributes.body
Annie Laura's Piece

From my choreographer, I'm learning about what it means to carry culture in your projects. Annie is pulling from so much tradition in a way that forces you to hold the things you're being taught as sacred. Watching her work, and being a part of her process encourages me to think about the care with which I share the movement traditions that reside within me.

# data[].attributes.headline
What's next for you in this process? What do you want to continue doing or manifest anew? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What's next for you in this process? What do you want to continue doing or manifest anew? 

# data[].attributes.body
For both pieces, I think I'm just hoping to find more moments of "play" as the rehearsal process continues. Finding ways to evolve movement, to make it my own while maintaining the integrity behind it. I'm really looking to feel grounded throughout both processes.

# data[].attributes.headline
What has been a delight for you in this piece?

# data[].attributes.subject
What has been a delight for you in this piece?

# data[].attributes.body
Annie Laura's Piece -

It has been so wonderful to work in a piece with so much dedication to honoring culture. Each rehearsal is more than just learning steps. There's such an emphasis on understanding the lineage of the movement we're exploring and how it depicts an evolution of tradition.

# data[].attributes.headline
What have you learned from someone else in your cast and/or choreographer/creative leaders of your project?

# data[].attributes.subject
What have you learned from someone else in your cast and/or choreographer/creative leaders of your project?

# data[].attributes.body
From my cast in Raul's piece, I've learned a lot about what it means to truly reflect and use the outcome of those reflections to make choices and advocate for yourself. Our RA did an amazing job of recognizing the potential for a pattern and taking the initiative to speak up about it. You can never predict what response you'll be met with when voicing a concern, but she continues to speak with courage and focus, which I admire greatly.

# data[].attributes.headline
What has been challenging for you in this process?

# data[].attributes.subject
What has been challenging for you in this process?

# data[].attributes.body
Raul's Piece -

I've been having to sit back and understand how discomfort can turn into a boundary or what makes a boundary necessary. I struggle to set boundaries in artistic spaces, specifically when it comes to more seemingly minimal tasks. This piece is causing me to think more about why that is and how I can better articulate my needs.

# data[].attributes.body
My performance experience here at UT has been in more street styles through both student organizations and PDPR. This was not exactly what I pictured for myself when I imagined how I would be dancing in undergrad, but I am very grateful for the way I've been challenged both mentally and physically. And I can honestly say that movement in this style is enjoyable for me. Moving forward, however, I would like the opportunity to do something more modern or contemporary. I think there's a mental block for me in those genres. It's very easy for me to get insecure and hide away, but I would love to push myself by being in an environment where it's impossible for that response to serve me.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 3: Presley & Cameron

What was exciting?

Seeing how well Presley and Cam work together was very exciting. It makes me confident that they will be able to meld their ideas together and present them to dancers in a cohesive way.

What was challenging?

The intricacy and speed of the movement were very challenging. It required an awareness of momentum and control of the body which proved to be difficult.

How would being in this project help me grow?

Being in this project would be dancing in a style that tends to intimidate me. Speed and intricacy are typical aspects of movement that don't come naturally to me, so this project would be a challenge in that way.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 3: Nadia Issa

What was exciting?

I am very excited by this project pulling from jazz music. I also appreciated the grounded movement with moments of clear shaping.

What was challenging?

I felt my body being challenged by the quick switches from grounded undulations into stacked more leggy positions.

How would being in this project help me grow?

I love the historical context this project is pulling from and really appreciate its reframing of grief. I think being in this project would teach me more about dancing from a narrative that already exists and working hard to honor it.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 3: Annie Laura

What was exciting?

The music was very beautiful and I love that the piece is pulling from a specific time in history and how its effects are lasting.

What was challenging?

The hip placement and flow of her combinations were a bit challenging for me.

How would being in this project help me grow?

I would love to learn something with such cultural significance and historical context, pulling directly from history for inspiration.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 2: Cue Arnold

What was exciting?

Hearing that Cue pulls from street styles and already has a narrative developed is exciting. I like the idea of this being a continuation of work, it encourages me to believe this will be a project built from a place of passion which is exciting.

What was challenging?

There being no formal audition is a bit challenging. It would be great to have an experience with Cue's movement vocabulary before possibly having his work set on me. But also, from the given description. I can imagine this piece will be very physically demanding.

How would being in this project help me grow?

This project would definitely push me physically. Also, being that I've dabbled in street styles before, being in this project would demand a certain immediate sensibility that I perhaps have not had in the past.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 2: Raul Tamez

What was exciting?

I was excited by the music used in Raul's audition as well as the fluidity of his movement. The phrase was very constant and well-connected. And ending the audition with jumps was a fun moment.

What was challenging?

The speed at which the audition material was taught was challenging, especially because there were many directional changes and weight shifts throughout the combination.

How would being in this project help me grow?

Being in this project would encourage me to tap into my theatrical side and find ways to maintain a strong technique while exploring that element of performance. Additionally, I enjoy working with artists who maintain a cultural connection to the work they create, I think there is a lot I could learn from Raul in that department.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 1: Mz. G

What was exciting?

I was most excited by Mz. G's philosophies and the fast pace at which she moved. I appreciated her use of imagery to illicit strong movement.

What was challenging?

Though I found it most intriguing, I was challenged by the mixture of Western technique with Africanist traditions of movement. Constantly moving between places of stacked alignment and release called for a focus that I haven't had the most steady practice tapping into.

How would being in this project help me grow?

I think working with Mz. G would provide me with the physical rigor I have been craving. Just utilizing my body differently, expanding upon ideas I've only explored minorly. I also think this project would give me space to better understand the place of spiritual beliefs in dance practice. How the two become one, and how they carry one another.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Father I Stretch My Hands - Pastor T. L. Barrett