'Why I Do Theater' Patsy Rodenburg

In the performing arts culture there are various arts one can use to express themselves, or to tell a story. Whether it be through dance, a song, musical instruments, or acting. Each art allows the artist to intricately engage the audience, bring the audience in, and take the audience along with them. One of the most used art forms for this type of storytelling is acting. Actors, and actresses, train and learn to hone their skills in order to take a story, whether fictional or non, and make it real. As actors we learn to take our personal experiences, and emotions, and put them into the story of the character we are playing so the character has life. In theater or Hollywood this type of talent is unique, yet few posses the true ability to do so. Many only go so deep in their role, sometimes remaining at the surface of the character, leaving the audience to walk with no connection. So, it poses the question why do we act or perform, if we're not going to go all in? I believe as a performer we each must ask ourselves this question so we are able to give our truth, and the characters truth, to the audience.

I recently came across a video on TED.com titled 'Why I do Theater' by Patsy Rodenburg, who shares her perspective on acting and theater in a talk at the Michael Howard Studios. In the video Patsy is very charismatic and humorous as she draws her audience in to share why she does theater. Her presence throughout the short clip speaks volumes of her love for the art and her deep respect for the art as well. Yet, it is the profound statement she makes at the beginning of the video that helps to answer the question of actors and theater, and that "is being present, being in the moment, being engaged, being connected". Patsy shares her biggest belief for any entertainer, in any arena, 'is being present', as she deems one who can not gain presence will not succeed. Patsy then goes on and shares her experiences in moments where actors were able to be so present in the moment that some audiences would leave upset or angry because it triggered an emotion or past experience that was too real for them. To Patsy this is the mark of a great actor, the ability to be present in the moment that you do not care whether the audience loves or hates you, because you are being true to the character, the story, and your craft.

Patsy Rodenburg is a renowned and respected actor, author, and esteemed teacher with over 25 years experience in theater. Today she shares her talent and insight at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and at the Michael Howard Studios in New York City.

So, again I ask the question 'why do we act or perform, if we're not willing to go all in'. At the A. Quinn performing arts center my role, and desire, is to teach, train, and push my students to go beyond the limitations of their mind and allow the deep emotions of life to catapult and transform their craft to new depths never realized before. To be uninhibited and free to express without the constraints of the mind. I want each student to walk away from a performance knowing they were present and gave it their all. For this I'm sure Patsy would be proud.

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha

My Inspiration

Recently, I came across a young dancer who is taking the dance world and Hollywood by storm, Kendall Glover.  Kendall Glover is a 12 year old sensation, who has been taking the dance world by surprise with her agility, athleticism, and technique. Kendall has already begun to create a successful career for herself in Hollywood that few adult dancers have been able to obtain in their entire career span. After reading and researching this young sensation, who is captivating hearts every time she hits the stage, I began to think back on my start in the dance community, and though I have not achieved the fetes Miss Kendall may have, I thought back on my inspirations that caused me to pursue my love for dance and the arts. For me it was when I first learned about Katherine Dunham in dance class that I became more intrigued about this art called dance.

Katherine Dunham was unique and special in the dance community, and she too took the dance world, and Hollywood, by storm just as Kendall Glover has. Katherine broke barriers, not only as an African-American, but as a dancer period. Katherine first made waves when she realized at the age of 18 she wanted to pursue and learn ballet. Shocker! At 18 most dancers are just hitting the peak of their careers, and here was Ms. Katherine, an African-American woman, looking to start her career. Despite the protest and opposition she pushed through and found someone who would take her in and teach her the disciplines of classical ballet. Katherine Dunham soon moved on to study various styles of dance from other countries, that helped her enter the theatrical community, and thereafter finding herself gracing the big screen in Hollywood. Later, she opened the Dunham School and helped to bring awareness to black dance and dancers throughout the world. Today, her name still lives on in the dance community as an innovator and one who would not take 'no' for an answer.

Katherine Dunham still inspires me to this day to continue to push to achieve my goals regardless of the obstacles or opposition I may face. And now, Kendall Glover is another inspiration as I see in her what the future holds. I desire to be apart of that future. I desire to create an environment, like Katherine did, that allows dancers to learn their craft but also become innovators of their generation. I desire to see the next Kendall Glover rise from the A. Quinn Performing Arts Center and know I was apart of their history. And I mostly desire to leave a legacy that will carry on for generations knowing I made an impact that helped to shape the course of tomorrows dance.

Thanks for reading,

xo,

LaKesha

Check out this amazing performance!

Festivals of Dance: New Movement

As you know I am pursuing my masters degree in Entertainment Business and last week one of my school assignments was discussing a potential project we would love to work on in our respective industries. Well, being my industry is performing arts my chosen project was creating a performing arts dance festival for the Central FL area that would bring all performing arts schools and centers together to showcase various talents to the community. The performing arts festival would be a great opportunity for the community to gain a deeper understanding about the various performing arts, i.e., music, dance, theatre, etc, and get a sneak peek into what each performing arts school and/or center have to offer to their community. After completing my assignment I did some research on the various dance festivals offered throughout the U.S. and learned that many cities offer spring, and summer, dance festivals that bring dancers, teachers, and choreographers together to learn and expand their talents. I was amazed at how many dance festivals there were and how uniquely different each one was, as each festival offered something the other didn't, yet all had a common theme which was bringing the dance community together and creating a new movement. The festivals not only allowed dancers, teachers, and choreographers to come and learn, but also to explore new movement that would push the dancer beyond what they know now. Here are a couple festivals I came across that really stood out for their creativity and purpose:

Bates Dance festival is a festival that brings an international community of dancers, performers, teachers, and choreographers together to study and create new movement. The Bates dance festival has been around for over 30 years working to provide a place for such creativity to be explored and learned. One of the best aspects of this festival is the community dance project which is open to the local residents to participate and work with the choreographers. 

In Philadelphia the 954 Dance Movement Collective hosts an annual World Dance Day Festival that brings dance to the local community. The World Dance Day festival showcases a variety of dance styles and performances by local dancers, performers, and choreographers that donate they talent for free. This year is the 4th annual festival and will be showcased on April 29th. So if you're in the Philadelphia check it out and share your experience below! 

As I work towards the opening of the A. Quinn Performing arts center I look forward to the day we host our first annual performing arts festival that will hopefully become part of the festivals of dance new movement.

Thanks for reading!

xo,

LaKesha

A Little Bit More

So, its been a minute since we posted and what better way to catch up than share a little bit more about A. Quinn Performing Arts!

First, the name of the performing arts center is after my great-great grandfather A. Quinn Jones, who was the first African-American principal of the first African-American high school in Alachua County. A. Quinn is the father of my great-grandmother Vera Rogers, who also was an educator. So, in honor of my great-great grandfather, with the approval of his surviving son and daughter, I chose to name my performing arts center after him, in order to continue his legacy. For more info on A. Quinn Jones please visit http://aqjmuseum.org .

The dream of the A. Quinn Performing Arts center has been long in the making and now we are in the beginning processes of bringing the dream to life! As a dancer/performer my desire has always been to be able to pour into the next generation of dancers/performers, and the A. Quinn performing arts center will do just that. Our mission is to train, teach, and develop future leaders of their respective industry. As well, create a place that all children, regardless of economic background, can learn the arts, while providing a safe haven to the community. My hope is that the performing arts center will also serve as a place for children to study and receive tutoring to help in building discipline and a motivation to excel in every area of their life.

So journey with us, as we work to bring forth a lifelong dream. Next up, securing our nonprofit status and beginning the grant writing process. Stay tuned for updates and weekly articles on the arts and culture community.


Thanks for reading, please feel free to share.

xoxo,

LaKesha Rogers


Dedication of the A. Quinn Jones home that was turned into an educational museum http://youtu.be/Eh0BAhX_6y8

Ballet Legends of Tomorrow

Ballet has always been regarded as a respectful art form that requires a high level of self-discipline and respect for the art. Ballet is also synonymous with great legends such as Anna Pavlova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Margot Fonteyn, and Marie Camargo. Such legends have helped to shape the history of ballet, as well pave the way for future greats to come after. Today, the great ballet dancers push the envelope beyond the classical or traditional expressions of ballet, and dare to bring ballet into a new art form known as contemporary or modern dance. Contemporary, or modern, dance allows the dancer to express their movement more freely and expressively to the audience, while still paying respect to the classical art of ballet. Today, new legends are beginning to rise and setting a new course for the art of ballet. Legends such as Sylvie Guillem, who at the age of 48 is still producing spell binding work as a ballerina turned contemporary dancer; Edward Watson, who is setting new trends in classical ballet with modern twists; and Sergei Polunin, who at the tender of 23 is constantly pushing the barriers to break the traditional confines and mindset of how ballet should be viewed. However, despite the boldness of a few to push ballet to new limits, there are those who still hold the classical form of ballet in high regard and continually work to preserve the beauty and wonder of a dance that few are able to achieve. And without these types of dancers the history, and foundation, of a beautiful art might be lost.

As I read about the past dancers of yesterday and the impact they have had on ballet; and the present dancers, who are becoming the legends of today, I think about whom could the next dancer be that will push dance to the next level and cause them to become the legend of tomorrow. My desire with A. Quinn Performing Arts center is to give a child, who might not have otherwise, the opportunity to discover the great dancer, actor, or musician within, that could be the next legend of their time.

10 Best Ballet Stars 

Brief History

Welcome to the A. Quinn performing arts blog! Here we will share our love of the performing arts i.e., dance, theater, music, etc, and share our journey to building a nonprofit performing art center that will greatly impact Central FL youth and children.

Thanks for reading and following along. xoxo

LaKesha Rogers

Welcome!

Welcome to the A. Quinn performing arts blog!