q and a with our student choreographer and alice promo video

We have two great performances this weekend! Be sure to get your tickets and tell your friends!Click here to see the promotional Alice video and meet all of the amazing characters.And...This year our featured student choreographer has given us some insight into her process. Take a look.Name: Jess Riniti Age: 18

 Is this your first time choreographing a piece for the stage?

This is my first time choreographing a piece for the stage and it is a great honor to be able to do so. It is such a wonderful gift that I get to close out my years at the Academy taking on the role that I have seen my teachers appear to do with ease for so long. It turns out, they’re superheroes, because it was far from easy.

What was your inspiration for this piece?

I fell in love with the song first, and then the story eventually came to me. The song in its most “in your face” form is about letting go of a significant other, but I didn’t think that was something that the dancers might necessarily be able to relate to. However I think that something that is closer to the hearts of people our age is the transition from childhood to adulthood and learning about adult things. Everyone loves childhood but longs to not be innocent anymore, everyone wants to grow up until they’re grown up and then they’d do anything to go back. There’s a fear of losing your innocence but also wanting to give it up to learn about what your parents and big brothers and sisters have bragged about for so long. So since we’re all kind of going through giving up and losing the innocence and ignorance of childhood, I thought that would be a good subject.

Have you been influenced by any choreographers in your life or during this process?

I’m an avid fan of So You Think You Can Dance so choreographers like Travis Wall and Mia Michaels are definitely big inspirations to me. The way their dances evoke such emotions from their audience members is so inspiring and it makes me want to make something that makes my audience feel the same way. I get lost in their story and the way the dancers move. Not everyone can make that happen.

What have your learned from your experience?I’ve learned that patience is one of the most wonderful qualities in dancers. Amy and Jane have been so amazing and patient with my as I learn how to figure out each step along the way. I’ve learned what it feels like to push your boundaries, which is amazing and scary at the same time. Going into this uncharted territory helped me to feel better about going away to college next year. I came out on the other side of this long and scary journey a better person so now whatever life throws at me; I will dive in headfirst.

Winter/Spring Workshop will be performed at Bedford Middle School:Saturday May 17th: 11:00am-12:00pm Sunday May 18th:  3:30-4:30pm.Alice will also be performed at Bedford Middle School:Saturday May 17th: 3:00-4:15pmSunday May 18th: 2:00-3:15pm