Preparing for Senior Production, we fourth-year dancers are busy rehearsing, making T-shirts, and getting ready for the silent auction, but also partaking in supporting activities like, going to physical therapy, doing laundry, and Snapchatting our cousins.
Inspired by Mason Currey's Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, I asked Michele Carter if she would answer a few questions about her routine. Michele is a radiant member of the class of 2014 and a phenomenal dancer, so it is my pleasure to learn her ways.
Michele Carter: During periods of rigorous rehearsals, I have learned that I work best when I take things day by day. In order to get the most out of every experience, it is important for me to remain in the present. When classes and rehearsal hours are at their peak, I try to find excitement in the little things to keep me moving. Furthermore, adopting a mindset of gratefulness has been a huge help. Especially as my time at Juilliard comes to an end, reminding myself each day of how blessed I am to be where I am, doing what I love, is a remarkable source of inspiration. Keeping everything in perspective is essential.
MS: What is your warm-up routine?
MC: My warm-up routine consists of a medley of exercises, stretches, and "feel good" remedies that I have found work well for my body prior to taking classes. It has become somewhat set because of how often we must warm up at school, but I always do whatever my body needs for that specific day.
MS: Any pre- or post- performance rituals?
MC: Before a performance, I like to leave myself plenty of time for warming up, doing my hair and makeup, getting changed into costume, and focusing in for whatever piece I am performing. I like to have ample time pre-show so that I can enjoy my time backstage with my classmates. Those memories are just as important to me as the ones that I will have of being on stage. Post-performance, I usually celebrate with family and friends by going out for a late dinner and drinks. Nothing beats time with them!
MC: I am in Bynh Ho's piece for Senior Production 2014. Thus far, it has been a wonderful experience. It is a piece for five dancers: two men and three women. We have been building material with an emphasis on the quality of movement that Bynh is after. There has been an incredible focus on detail and achieving finess from the inside out. We have been playing with the different "volumes" that we can move at and have been working on the attention that it takes to dial in and out of stillness in such a way that the beginning and end of that stillness is unrecognizable. It has been wonderful and fulfilling to explore the extremes of minimalistic and large movement. Bynh has been incredibly generous in this process and is a wealth of information, always offering up fresh ideas and analogies to guide us in the right direction. I am looking forward to getting back into Senior Production rehearsals after the run of Spring Dance shows!
MS:What is something you'd like audience members to know before going to see Senior Pro?
MC: I'd like for Senior Production audience members to know that the concert has been produced entirely by our class and that we have been working toward it since the first day of the school year. I am confident that our energy at the show will convey how much it means to us.
So there we have it. She's a phenomenal dancer who values gratitude, and time with friends and family. Come see Michele and the rest of the Senior Class dance in our upcoming performances of Juilliard Dances Repertory this March!