Week 1 of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival was one of the busiest, most motivating, and successful weeks of my career.
Day 1, Wednesday June 19th: I spent my morning in the box office - It was crazy, phones did not stop ringing, everyone wanted tickets for Dance Theatre of Harlem and we were selling out! Later in the day I worked the patron/marketing table down at Inside/Out. Inside/Out also referred to as I/O is a series of free performances Wednesday through Saturday 6:15-7pm where upcoming dance groups perform on the Marcia and Seymour Simon Performance Space outside. This space has a gorgeous nature scenery and can seat over 800 patrons, unless we get rained out. My job at the patron/marketing table is to inform patrons of upcoming ticketed performances and free events, asking for donations, and recruiting patrons to become pillow members. At the conclusion of the Inside/Out performance I had the opportunity to watch the season opening performance of Dance Theatre of Harlem. The performance was breath taking, I do not think I have ever enjoyed watching ballet as much as I did that night.
Day 2, Thursday June 20th: I spent majority of my day watching the ballet students in class. They started their morning off with a master class from Dance Theatre of Harlem's Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. Following the class the students sat down for a discussion that I listened in on. Ms. Johnson spoke about how she stopped dancing and returned to school. During school she became the editor of Pointe Magazine in 2006. Three years later. in 2009 founder Arthur Mitchell approached Virginia Johnson and asked her to become Artistic Director for Dance Theatre of Harlem. She had never wanted to be an Artistic Director but received an offer she could not resist. Virginia Johnson quoted, "I've never had more fun in my life than I'm having now." Ms. Johnson then began to share her involvement within the community, showcasing dance which is exactly my dream career goals.
Day 3, Friday June 21st: Today I had the opportunity to interview 5 unique ballet students. Each shared stories of their experience here at Jacob's Pillow. One student had me almost in tears explaining how he wasn't sure dance was his language anymore but re-fell in love with the art being here at the festival.
Day 4, Saturday June 22nd: Today was one of the longest and most exciting days since I have been at my internship.I started the morning off with a sold-out matinee performance. Following the show, Dance Theatre of Harlem artists gathered in the Bakalar studio for a meet and greet. I helped organize First Position star, Michaela Deprince's fan line. Two little African-American girls who were adopted into a white family (just as Michaela) were overjoyed to meet their idol, they even drew her pictures it was such a heart-felt moment. Later that day, one of my supervisor's complimented me on having great crowd control - it was definitely a confident booster. When the meet and greet closed, I ventured down to the patron/marketing table at I/O and was able to watch the ballet students, who had become my friends, perform like professional ballerinas/ballerinos. Patrons in the audience were so impressed and very generous with their donations after the school's performance. When the night ended, donors, artists, interns, students, and staff gathered for the weekly cast party. During this time I spoke with Virgina Johnson about possibly volunteering with Dance Theatre of Harlem and education for the arts, we exchanged business cards and enjoyed the evening.
Day 5, Sunday June 23rd: Today was our first Community Event of the season. We advertised around campus and on facebook and received a great turnout. Those who attended had the opportunity to participate in Zumba, Hip-hop, and African dancing for free. I greeted everyone as they walked in and loved watching dancers of all ages enjoy themselves.
Week 2 begins today, xoxo
Day 2, Thursday June 20th: I spent majority of my day watching the ballet students in class. They started their morning off with a master class from Dance Theatre of Harlem's Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. Following the class the students sat down for a discussion that I listened in on. Ms. Johnson spoke about how she stopped dancing and returned to school. During school she became the editor of Pointe Magazine in 2006. Three years later. in 2009 founder Arthur Mitchell approached Virginia Johnson and asked her to become Artistic Director for Dance Theatre of Harlem. She had never wanted to be an Artistic Director but received an offer she could not resist. Virginia Johnson quoted, "I've never had more fun in my life than I'm having now." Ms. Johnson then began to share her involvement within the community, showcasing dance which is exactly my dream career goals.
Day 3, Friday June 21st: Today I had the opportunity to interview 5 unique ballet students. Each shared stories of their experience here at Jacob's Pillow. One student had me almost in tears explaining how he wasn't sure dance was his language anymore but re-fell in love with the art being here at the festival.
Day 4, Saturday June 22nd: Today was one of the longest and most exciting days since I have been at my internship.I started the morning off with a sold-out matinee performance. Following the show, Dance Theatre of Harlem artists gathered in the Bakalar studio for a meet and greet. I helped organize First Position star, Michaela Deprince's fan line. Two little African-American girls who were adopted into a white family (just as Michaela) were overjoyed to meet their idol, they even drew her pictures it was such a heart-felt moment. Later that day, one of my supervisor's complimented me on having great crowd control - it was definitely a confident booster. When the meet and greet closed, I ventured down to the patron/marketing table at I/O and was able to watch the ballet students, who had become my friends, perform like professional ballerinas/ballerinos. Patrons in the audience were so impressed and very generous with their donations after the school's performance. When the night ended, donors, artists, interns, students, and staff gathered for the weekly cast party. During this time I spoke with Virgina Johnson about possibly volunteering with Dance Theatre of Harlem and education for the arts, we exchanged business cards and enjoyed the evening.
Day 5, Sunday June 23rd: Today was our first Community Event of the season. We advertised around campus and on facebook and received a great turnout. Those who attended had the opportunity to participate in Zumba, Hip-hop, and African dancing for free. I greeted everyone as they walked in and loved watching dancers of all ages enjoy themselves.
Week 2 begins today, xoxo