Each week following an artist's post, reflection questions and research ideas will get posted. These are aimed towards college level courses (senior seminar, composition, dance education, and more), but of course anyone can read the postscript and find thought-provoking questions and activities.

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Jennifer's artist profile can lead to a great discussion around several topics:

1. As a group, discuss her path over the past 20 years. Who were key figures? What were key events? 

2. Discuss the various ways Jennifer landed performing gigs over the years. Did any of this surprise you? Why or why not? What assumptions do you have about getting into a dance company?

3. The American Dance Festival (ADF) and Bates Dance Festival. Jennifer referenced both of these historic modern dance summer festivals. How were they important to her career path? If unfamiliar with ADF and/or Bates, spend some time researching these institutions. Might there be an opportunity for you to experience one of them as well in coming years? 

4. Moving to NYC to dance. Numerous artists profiled here in the past year have written good advice for dancers interested in New York City. Reread Jennifer's comments, and also revisit the comments of artists John Beasant and Tamara Riewe.

From Jennifer Nugent:

NYC can be intimidating.  It takes some time to feel settled, sometimes longer than you thought.  Think about your expectations and hold them loosely.  There is a lot of different work happening, so many projects, and people wanting to make and share.  The idea of moving to NYC and auditioning to get in a company is quickly changing.  There are companies and choreographers making work, but keeping an open mind and heart is helpful.  You can find a job doing Pilates or body work, a box office, childcare, restaurant work, catering.  It is easier to find a job than you might think, but you have to be creative with your dance/class taking schedule. NYC is a fun place with so much energy.  I have loved all 15 years of it!

From John Beasant:

Acknowledge the fact that as special/rewarding as New York City is, it can be a hard place too.  I say that to not prohibit your curiosity nor to dissuade you from exploring the city and its possibilities, but do not allow yourself to be jaded into thinking that you can have success there without having a hard-working ethic and an open possibility in your thinking that there will be the chance that things may not work out how you hoped.  It’s a metaphor for life I guess.  I've given that advice a lot of thought… In my experience, I have come across educators who praise NYC as being "the place to be for dancers" without necessarily thinking about WHO it is that they are really speaking to.  I would encourage any dancer who is considering making a move to the city, to allow himself/herself at least a year to feel the city out.  Also, be open to finding a regular non-dancing job so that you can have a reliable nest egg from which to pay your bills. 

From Tamara Riewe:

Be brave and move! NYC is an incredibly vibrant, exciting place filled with a surprisingly small and loving dance community. The breadth of classes and performances available will inspire you, even if you just stay for a year. There is a ton of work available, especially in child care or body training work (Pilates, etc.). Most of all – commit to staying at least a year, and never stop auditioning.