Swirling my Karma

Jamie flying with Shannon!  Photo by William Frederking

So, as one of the Social Media Divas this month I have been tasked with the writing of this blog post that reflects on my experiences thus far as an apprentice for TDC. The previous zillion attempts I’ve made at this first sentence, I have rapidly deleted out of horror at how cheesy, or cliché, or sentimental they were. But alas, after that many attempts I will just have to settle for being self-reflexively cheesy, cliché, and sentimental in hopes that I can convey my ruminations without grossing anyone out. Here we go: Oh yes, it starts with a flashback…

A year ago at this time, my brain was predominantly occupied with panic: panic about finishing that piece I was choreographing, panic about presenting my thesis in front of a crowd, and mostly, panic about what-the-heck-am-I-going-to-do-with-the-rest-of-my-life. Now, I can’t reassure you by saying that I don’t panic about what-the-heck-am-I-going-to-do-with-the-rest-of-my-life because I do, on a daily basis, but I can reassure you that I am absolutely loving the way that I’m spending the Tuesday and Thursday nights that are part of this rest-of-my-life. 

Warning: We’re entering mush territory. Firstly, the ladies of TDC are brilliant and I have a great admiration for the commitment they bring to the project that is TDC. I call TDC a project because it is so ongoing, so collaborative, so ever evolving. I’m honored that even as a newbie I feel welcome to share my thoughts and my movement. The collaborative atmosphere makes everything more fun, but it also brings an extra challenge. There is no, just showing up and learning the moves, the work actually requires me to, gasp, think and create! I’m so grateful to Margi and all the TDC women for providing an environment that challenges, but also validates my ideas even so early in my career. This sort of cooperative environment was one of the things I valued most about my dance studies in college and I’m so happy to have found a place where I can continue collaborating and learning: Learning about working with new bodies and new minds, about giving it my all even if it’s just a rehearsal, about making decisions and committing to them, about climbing walls, speaking onstage, and (to end as cheesy as possible with a quote) about “being sea kelp and swirling my karma.” Thanks TDC for an awesome first six months! 

Submitted by TDC Apprentice Jamie Corliss, Saturday, February 28, 2015. 

Looking up to the girls

When my young 23-year-old-self stood in the rehearsal space, it was a pleasure looking up to the top dogs who were the heart and soul of TDC – Molly Grimm-Leasure, Maggie Koller, Alaina Murray, Kaitlin Bishop, Jessica Post, Olivia May, and Summer Avery. Holding much respect for these women, I embraced the opportunity to learn from each of them, all the while carefully surveilling their technique. The way they worked together and moved; I was constantly in awe. We created concrete bonds that helped shape who I am today. Even though things have shifted since then, we still remain as friends.

In 2009, Shannon Edwards and I came into the company as apprentices. The year prior, Summer was an apprentice and had then moved up in the company as a member. I felt that we connected most and I like to think it was because she understood where I was coming from and how it felt to stand where I was. (That could also just be that Summer is such a giving person and probably one of the nicest people I know.) She took me under her wing and I recall numerous times she was there for me especially when I just needed a friend.

Summer was the first to leave that year. She was moving out of state and I still remember that sad announcement. It was devastating because a piece of us, a piece of who I was, was leaving. Over the years things changed, and we lost the top dogs slowly along the way - many of them being a part of TDC for over 7 years or more. Each one was sad because the TDC that I knew and loved was them. It is comparable to moving on and separating from your childhood friends because you watched each other grow up; nobody knows you like they do. Now in this moment, it is hard to realize that I am where they used to stand. Olivia is now the senior member, along with Shannon and I a year thereafter. We have had great loss and I have come to accept that people come into our lives for a reason and people live their lives according to their own plans. Things cannot stay the same forever and I cherish those years. (I also miss former apprentice, Molly Kirkpatrick, as she ventures off to grad school this fall.) And again, with great loss comes great gain. We have had members come and go and the TDC of today is full of strong women who I admire just the same. Madelyn Doyle and Julie Boruff now have a few years under their belt as well, and not to mention, are two of my closest friends.

I feel so overwhelmed writing this because of my experience with these energetic influences. We put our hearts, emotions and tears on that dance floor – hours upon end until we were exhausted and beat but we always made it through because we had each other.

Margi ultimately makes the final decision when it comes to roll call. Not one rehearsal goes by that I do not think about how she has never given up on me. She takes chances and risks on people. And not only does she worry about strong performance qualities and technique, but how about dedication and passion? And from a dancer’s standpoint, getting into a dance company in Chicago is slim to none. What makes you more exciting to watch out of thirty-five people? Trust me, back at the time of my audition, my technique was nowhere near stellar, but I was excited and confident and inventive in my movement generation. Six years later (besides feeling what we call the “A-G-E”), I feel grounded and strong and wise. My technique has improved and I make even smarter choices when creating material. I also could not have been able to choreograph my own piece on such a refined level without Margi, and I am very proud of that personal accomplishment.  We go through so much in our lives and never once has she not supported or believed in me. This process that we go through, we may struggle, we may tire, we may scrap hours of hard work, but this process is raw and beautiful and intelligent and great.

When you begin something, sometimes you do not know how it will end, even if you have an end in mind. I never wanted the group to change when I was in the moment, but as it was and had happened, it was great to see how the group has evolved and shifted. It is also great now to see some new bodies in the space, Jamie Corliss and Liz Conway.

I am grateful for my chance at this opportunity and as I do not know where I will stand at the end of this path, I am savoring my journey. My experience with these unique individuals has made me a stronger dancer, better performer and a more plentiful human being.  I am infinitely grateful to be surrounded by a great group of people in my dance community and genuine friends I can depend on. Through it all, now being one of the leaders of the group, I just hope I can provide the girls with what the top dogs once permitted to me. 






Submitted by TDC Dancer Katie Petrunich, Tuesday, October 14, 2014.