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MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS - AYLA JAKES

Meet Choreographer Ayla Jakes

        Ayla Jakes is a fifth year Dance and Pre-Physical Therapy major. The title of her piece is Alchemy. Learn more about Ayla and her piece below!

Can you give us a brief description of your dance? The style of movement, inspiration behind the choreography, message of the dance, etc.
        Alchemy's movement quality is very fluid and symbolic in its approach. The message behind the dance is that good qualities reside in all of us, therefore through being confident in individual capabilities, while also forming relationships, we become connected and supported through empathy.

How do you personally prepare for your rehearsals? Do you choreograph on the spot or come with material prepared? What is your process like?
        I typically come to rehearsal with plenty of material prepared for the piece. I take pride in the vocabulary that I use while creating pieces, therefore I take the time prior to meeting with the dancers to be able to fully think through the creative process. From there however, I appreciate when my dancers take the reins. I personally feel as a choreographer you can provide them with the material, but it is then up to the dancers as to what they do with the material. I have a fantastic cast that has always been open and supportive of me, and I truly could not have made the dance without their involvement of the piece.

How do you think your cast would describe you as a choreographer/teacher?
        My cast would describe my choreography and coaching as being organized, open to personal expression, and willing to collaboration. The following comments are from my cast.

  • “Ayla is a joy to work with. She is extremely well prepared as a choreographer which shows up in her work as well. She is the perfect combination of sweet and tough in rehearsal as she is fun to work with but also passionate and serious about her work.”
  • “Ayla is really fun to work with. She brings a lot of create ideas to the table and always comes prepared, but also allows us (the performers) to express our opinions/ideas/concerns.”
  • “Rehearsals are always a fun place to be. Ayla comes in organized, but also thinks about other opinions and ideas because she wants the cast to feel comfortable in the movements. Ayla cares a lot about her work, making me as a performer want to work harder and execute it the way she imagines it. It’s been nothing but a wonderful experiencing working with Ayla and her bubbly self!”

How does being a Choreographer for Afterimages differ from choreographing for any other projects? If you’ve never choreographed before, how have you approached this process differently than when you were just a performer/dancer?
        The largest difference from choreographing for Afterimages, rather than other projects I have choreographed for, is the collaboration and support that takes place. I gratefully have been able to choreography three times for Afterimages and I always step away from the project knowing I have made relationships that will last a life time. The dancers here at UWSP are so willing and giving to share their talent and I know it is something I will miss greatly after graduating.

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