Interviews

This artist interview series is led by Dance Presenting Series Marketing Manager Alyssa Gregory. The series is a way to check the pulse of how the Chicago Dance community is doing after a year of living with COVID-19. You will hear from a wide variety of artists who have managed to keep pushing forward despite the pandemic.

Irene Hsiao

Alyssa’s final Pulse Check interview is with Chicago independent dance artist and writer Irene Hsiao. Alyssa explains:

I wanted to sit down with Irene because her work is mostly solo work. When I’ve watched her work on social media, it’s always so careful and also very vulnerable to witness. I’ve always thought that Irene’s work was healing for her and also for whoever is watching. I was curious to see what it was like to be a solo artist during a pandemic.

*photo courtesy of the artist, by* *Joe Mazza - Brave Lux*.

Steph Paul

Alyssa’s fifth interview is with choreographer and maker Steph Paul — one of the hardest working creatives in the city. She will be choreographing for multiple shows and will still not miss watching a Serena Williams tennis match. Alyssa was curious about how Steph was using her time and what she was thinking about over the last year and a half. How does a person who was moving non-stop and suddenly forced to stop handle that?

Alex Grelle and Kasey Alfonso

In this joint interview with Chicago underground superstars Alex Grelle and Kasey Alfonso, Alyssa Gregory finds out how these collaborators kept it going during the pandemic. Alyssa explains:

I struggled so much to find motivation and even inspiration to make anything, and the level of output from these two is so impressive. How does a performance artist who needs bodies in the room quickly adapt to the online platform, create work, and still feel fulfilled?

Jasmine Mendoza

In this interview with Jasmine Mendoza, Alyssa Gregory delves into care of Black and Brown communities on the South and West side of Chicago, both areas hit hard by the pandemic. Jasmine is an improviser and during the pandemic has started her journey to become a doula. How has she been healing herself while also healing those that are in need?

Lizzie Leopold

Alyssa Gregory interviews Lizzie Leopold, a long-time friend and mentor. I danced in Lizzie’s company The Leopold Group for four seasons. I learned so much from her and I’m still learning things from her. I was interested in talking to Lizzie because she has stepped back from dance making and has turned her focus to dance education and arts administration. She is a powerhouse with words and really knows how to use her platform to educate and challenge the white dance community. Importantly, she is a mom. Parenting during a pandemic while also working from home is not an easy job. Instead of asking, “How does she do it all?” I wanted to know “What’s your secret for survival with all of these new challenges?” --Alyssa Gregory

Anna Hershinow

Our first interview is with Anna Hershinow. Anna is a 2020 graduate from Ohio State and my former student. I’ve known Anna since she was in 7th grade and have been lucky enough to literally watch her grow into the artist that she is today. I wanted to talk to Anna to understand how it feels to enter the “professional” dancing world in the middle of the pandemic. How do you start a career or find your place in an industry that is on pause?

--Alyssa Gregory