Meet the Dancers- Lina Kent

Hello Blogging World!


I've always wanted to join the blogging community but have been a bit hesitant to do so. However, Mrs. Sarah Badger has given me the confidence as well as the inspiration to finally post something. What better introduction into the realm of literary internet (Hey Badger, does "literary internet" even resemble something grammatically correct?), and what better way to begin than with a "Meet the Dancers" questionnaire?


Readers be warned, as I am tired from an incredible day of teaching and rehearsal with my fellow "In-Sighter's", the answers to these questions may be uncomfortably truthful and lengthy. I tend to ramble when I'm deprived of sleep...






1) When did you start dancing with In-Sight?
- January of 2009
2) Where are you from?
- New York, NY, wassup Upper West Side

3) Do you remember your first dance class?
- I don't remember my first dance class, only a specific class from my first year. One of the other little girls was laughing at me because she could see my Barbie underwear from underneath my pink leotard. That meanie. 


4) What's the most played song on your iPod?
- "Man Eater" by Nelly Furtado


5). Favorite food?
- Total toss up between penne a la vodka or cucumber and avocado sushi rolls (with extra spicy mayo on the side please).


7). What's your coffee order?
- Triple Grande Skinny Vanilla Latte

8) What do you like to do on your day off?
- THOSE EXIST?

9) Favorite non-dance workout? 
- A run in the park by my house.

10). Favorite piece of dance wear?
- I must always be in close proximity to a leg warmer. My In-Sight family would probably disagree, because I always leave them in the studio or theater.

11) Share your most embarrassing on-stage moment:
I blacked out during a pas de deux during Nutcracker. Literally blacked out. I was a flower, and I forgot where I was, who I was, and watched the other flower pass in front of me with a look of horror. I then preceded to run off into the wing after being frozen for sixteen counts... Terrifying. 


12) Favorite role you've ever performed:
- My most favorite is also my most recent. Being a specter in an "Extraordinary Echo" has to be the most fun character to explore and play... Ever...


13: What do you like to do on your day off?
- Watch television. Like, reeeeeeeally trashy, melt your brain, reality television. For hours.
14) If you weren't a dancer, what would you be?
- I have no idea, I was always sure that dancing is what I was born to do (oh blah blah, corny I know, but true nonetheless). 
15). Who are your dance role models?
- Maria Kowrowski, she's the best :)


16) Any favorite charities or service organizations you're passionate about?
- Diabetic Rockstar
Bonus Fun Fact: (something most people may not know about you)
- I have an extreme phobia of clowns, the fear is crippling. I can't even look at Krusty the Klown or Ronald McDonald without shivering.  

Meanwhile, Back at the Studio

Whew! It's been a while, but we're finally back to blogging! Here's what's happened in the world of In-Sight since our last post:

--In-sight premiered An Extraordinary Echo to several sold out houses at Long Island City's Secret Theater. We also performed other company repertoire including re-stagings of "Faeries Awake" by Donna Lucy, and "The Path on Which We Lie" by Leeanne M. G-Bowley--two of the first pieces In-Sight ever performed! One of the most exciting moments of the weekend for me was when we learned that extra seats had to be brought in to the theater for our closing performance. We're so grateful to all those who came to support us. (Special thanks to my mom who flew all the way from Texas to see the show! No matter how old you get, there's nothing like a post-performance Mom Hug!)

--We spent several days attempting to recover from the hectic performance week. Leeanne gave us an entire week off of rehearsals, but most of us took the opportunity to spend the extra time in taking class. Even during "time off" regular technique classes are necessary for keeping our bodies--and minds!--in check. Plus, sitting still is hard for dancers!

--The company began an exciting new project with the Beacon 141 program in Astoria. Twice a week, company dancers teach ballet, jazz, contemporary, and theater dance to kids and teens from the community. We've only just started teaching, but I'm having tons of fun with the kids so far. There are few things more rewarding than passing down a love and knowledge of dance to another generation. Hopefully we'll be able to expand our presence in the city's various Beacon programs with time. We'll keep you updated! 


We also have a lot of fun things planned for this blog, so stay tuned. As always, we want to hear from you. If you have any questions about In-Sight, its artists, or it's mission, leave 'em in the comments!


    -Sarah

Opening Night: Pre-Show Rituals

After a productive and exhausting week of dress rehearsals, An Extraordinary Echo opens tonight at the Secret Theater. Adding to the excitement of the day, Queens Chronicle printed a feature about In-Sight Dance Company and a little review of one of our open rehearsals.

Most performers have some kind of pre-performance ritual, whether it's warming up a certain way or listening to certain tunes. In the spirit of opening night, here's a little peek at how some of In-Sight's dancers get ready for a show:






"I don't really have [a ritual], but I do lots of Pilates, down dog (a yoga position), and listen to my favorite songs." 
       -Allie Lochary









"I do crunches and push-ups, all while listening to hip hop as loud as I can blast it." 
 -Lina Kent

"I like to do a thorough ballet barre, then find a quiet place backstage to focus and pray." 

    -Sarah Badger

Will we see you this weekend? Advance tickets are still available online-- get yours before they sell out! 

Tech Week: Day 1

With the opening of An Extraordinary Echo just days away, In-Sight's artists, board members, and technical crew are busy with last minute rehearsals and preparations. Production week is always full of exciting, memorable, often funny (and, yes, stressful!) moments and we want to keep our friends and supporters updated as we approach opening night.

Last night, In-Sight's technical crew, choreographers, and fearless artistic director Leeanne set the light and sound cues at The Secret Theater. Meanwhile, the dancers met with Jon, costume designer for the ballet, for a fitting. It was amazing to see the ideas we'd seen sketched on paper come to life as Jon used everything from ripped up fabrics and tutus, to cell phones and CDs to add extra depth and flare to our costumes.

Cody and I Pose During the Fitting 

 As a dancer, I tend to put on my ballerina blinders and see only the choreographic elements of a ballet--probably because that's my job! But it really struck me last night that what we wear plays an integral role in how the audience perceives and reacts to our characters. Everything we wear reflects an element of the way Generation Y (the "echo-boomers" who the ballet is about) is imagined by ourselves, others, or the media. We wear a wide range of outfits: Lady-Gaga-esque head pieces, simple leotards, flowing skirts.

The Men of In-Sight: Cody A. Potter and Time Chester 

Hsing-Hua Wang tries on a tutu

Tonight the dancers head to the theater for our first dress rehearsal, cue-to-cue, and a "costume parade" to make any final adjustments. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, now's the time! 

                                               -Sarah, In-Sight Dancer

In-Sight Dance Company will perform An Extraordinary Echo October 7th, 8th, and 9th at 8pm, and October 9th at 2pm, at 

The Secret Theater

44-02 23rd,  Long Island City, NYC 11101 

Steps from the E,M, and 7 Trains

Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door 

Dancing Through a Storm

 "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor tornado stays these dancers from the swift completion of their appointed rehearsals." (photo from the Associated Press)

    Even if you're not a New Yorker, you may have heard about the tornadoes that ravaged portions of Brooklyn and Queens last week. We hope that those areas and individuals damaged by the storm will recover quickly. Thankfully, all of us at In-Sight remained safe from the worst of the storm, but getting to rehearsal that evening was quite an adventure.
  Like all disciplined dancers we pride ourselves on punctuality, but thanks to the weather last Thursday very few of us actually arrived at our rehearsal at Topaz Arts on time. Our artistic director, Leeanne, found herself stuck in Manhattan due to power outages on subway lines, while the 7 train stranded In-Sight dancer Allie at Queensboro Plaza! A less persistent company might have canceled rehearsal, but thanks to rental cars and rides from friends we managed a fun, productive rehearsal despite the inclement weather.
   While waiting for our fearless director to arrive, dancer Tim lead the company in a quick warm-up, and we ran through several pieces from An Extraordinary Echo. Upon Leeanne's arrival we began the necessary process of cleaning the final section of the ballet ("This is the New Year") as well as learning more choreography. By the end of the night, we'd made significant progress on a lot of new pieces, proving again that no storm can stop In-Sight!

Were you effected at all by last week's horrible weather? Let us know in the comments.

Welcome, Dance Lovers

Welcome to In-Sight Dance Company's brand new blog! Check back regularly for company news, exclusive insight (pun shamelessly intended) into the company's creative process, notes from In-Sight's artists, and much more.  In the meantime, be sure to buy tickets for the premiere of In-Sight's brand new ballet, An Extraordinary Echo set to the music of Ian Axel. You can also "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates.