It's been a while! In short, interning at the American Dance Festival last summer was AMAZING and I am in the works to do that same internship again this coming summer. FABULOUS festival where I got to dance every morning, develop (and DEFINITELY expand upon) my knowledge in technical theatre and production, network with dancers and other interns, and produce shows for some amazing artists. Eagerly awaiting the 2011 summer season companies to be announced!!

After my work there ended in late July, (and after a life-altering family vacation to Tunisia), I began frantically job searching. I had my eyes set on DC but through a whirlwind of unexpected events, I ended up moving to Beckley, WV to dance with the West Virginia Dance Company for the season! It's the first and only professional dance company in the state and we perform an hour-long educational show that we take to elementary, middle, and high schools (and the occasional college/university) to educate them about the 7 continents. The show changes every 2 years and this was a year to create a new show. We have a dance about penguins for Antarctica, the volcanoes and tectonic plates of Oceania, the 3 big cats of Africa, Anne Frank of Europe, the concubines/empress/communists/peasants from China's past for Asia, the rainforests of South America, and tap/jazz history from North America. We travel all over the state of WV performing so I have certainly seen a lot more of this state than I ever thought I would!

(Regarding Tunisia, I actually went back (by myself!!) over New Year's for a week to visit our host family/great friends and their son whom I am currently in a relationship with. :) Tunisia doesn't have much of a dance scene, in fact it's non-existant from what I know, so if by fate I ever end up there maybe I'll find a way to introduce some modern dance to the place! It's the most breathtakingly beautiful country, the cities on the Mediterranean are to die for and I absolutely recommend vacationing there. Especially since the fall of their dictator, their tourism economy could use a boost!)

I talked with one of the WVDC company directors today and it's not certain if I'll be back for another season, although I would like to (since I don't know what else I would do!). There is a chance that Doug Varone could be coming in the fall to set a new piece on us for our public concert repertoire if our grant is accepted which would be AMAZING! I had a chance to work with 2 previous company members of his and the movement is so captivating! So we'll see how all those things unfold.

I can feel the days beginning to lengthen and the weather starting to become milder so I hope that means spring is quickly approaching! I'm tired of dancing with cold numb toes! Clammy winter feet = no good!!!

Check out our website at www.wvdanceco.com, and check out this video of us talking about and reherasing for the penguin dance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb4DRNKApLA

= K =