July 15, 2007

An update from mustangconsulting team member Sarah
(Sarah is a junior with a dance and CCPA double major.)

This week has been a whirlwind. Between finishing data collection and the start of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Dance Intensive, our team has had its hands full.

 
Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Dance Intensive
On Monday, anxious and bright-eyed, we arrived at Dance Theatre of Harlem for our first day of the summer dance intensive. The morning began with an orientation. Arthur Mitchell, the Artistic Director and Founder of DTH, enthusiastically addressed the room full of inquisitive parents and eager bun-heads. He is a charismatic and inspiring teacher, to say the least.  After listening to him speak for 15 minutes, I learned more about dance and personal presentation than I often do after a grueling day of classes.
 
Mr. Mitchell set a tone for the intensive by explaining that being a dancer means adopting an attitude of poise and confidence.  He explained this attitude as an “awareness of self.” He had us practice his point by facilitating an exercise in which he asked every student to boldly proclaim his/her name and hometown. “Speak up and sit tall in your chair!” he roared to a student who slumped shyly in his chair. “Say ‘I Am’ with authority!”  Mr. Mitchell continued by insisting we approach our daily lives with this attitude, both in the classroom and merely walking down the street. “Dance is theatre.  We are performers.  If you do not present yourself with authority, how can you expect people to buy a ticket to watch you apologizing for yourself onstage?” Mr. Mitchell’s words of wisdom have remained etched in my mind through the week as I practice in dance class and as I self-correct my posture while sitting on the subway.   
 
After arriving back at the dorms, Jessica, Jade and I spent the afternoon preparing our dance attire in accordance with the DTH dress code.
Because DTH predominately consists of black dancers, they require flesh-tone tights and shoes, breaking the ballet tradition of pink accoutrements. In one afternoon, Jessica’s bedroom floor transformed into a visual cacophony of brown and beige tights, spray cans, pointe shoes, ribbons, elastic, scissors, needles and thread!  After I finished sewing, I proudly pranced around the room in my brand-new pointe shoes, seeking a critique from Jade and Jessica on my sewing job. They laughed as I exploited the nearby wall as a barre, practicing tendús and relevés while awaiting their response.
 
Last Friday we had the unique opportunity to take a dance class taught by the legendary DTH prima ballerina, Virginia Johnson.  I especially enjoyed taking Ms. Johnson’s class because she focused on the importance of developing artistry along with technique. “I want you to focus on your eyes this class,” she said, “Your eye focus communicates to the audience. Where are you looking? What are you communicating?”  I found her insights a refreshing reminder, because I often become bogged down in class, focusing on my technique more than aspects of my performance.
 
DTH has made a huge impact on our dancing in only one week! With two weeks of the intensive remaining, I eagerly anticipate the continued opportunity for technical, artistic, and personal growth.

July 9, 2007

An update from mustangconsulting team member Breanna
(Breanna is a senior dance and geophysics double major with a minor in math)

New York continues to throw opportunity our way as we enter our fifth week.  I am continually amazed by all of the things to do.  Frankly, it is a bit overwhelming.  We do our best though to balance work, play, and family time (mustangconsulting family time, that is) as we begin wrapping up our data collection for analysis.  This week was

exceptionally exciting because of the variety of our activities.
 
Kyle and I began our work week traveling to Queens Village for an interview.  I’d say that over the course of the day, to and from Queens Village and then to another interview in Manhattan, we must have used our MetroCards 12 times plus with all of the bus and subway transfers.  We are pretty pro now, though!  

Food and film
Queens Village was a pleasant surprise.  Kyle and I got there early enough to grab a slice of pizza at this mom and pop pizza place near our interview.  I now have to proclaim that I have devoured the best piece of pizza I have ever had in my life.  I could not tell you exactly what made it so exceptional, but you have to take my word for it.  On the way back to Manhattan, we stopped at a street vendor for some Italian ice because it was very hot.  I had a coconut ice that also was very memorable … with all this food talk you may forget I’m a dancer!

That evening we had a staff meeting in which we discussed the coming of the film crew that is going to document our stay.  We were all laughing as we thought about how ‘Real World-esque’ this may turn out.  The night fittingly concluded with the consumption of my soy ice cream in the balmy weather outside on the fire escape with Jenny, Matt, and Jade.

Connecting with a star alum
I woke up early the next day to get a head start on transcription and phone calls.  I scheduled an interview for that day, and soon enough Kyle and I were back in transit heading to an office building overlooking Central Park.  After a long day of subways, work and such, our group had the special opportunity to attend the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”  We all dressed in our finest and took a train to 50th street to see the show.  It was phenomenal!!!  The costumes, sets, and music were above and beyond what I expected. Instead of seeing Fantasia in the lead role of Celie, we had the honor of witnessing understudy Darlesia Cearcy perform her heart out.  At the end, the audience rose for a standing ovation for Ms. Cearcy.
 
As if the night could not have been any better, Matt pulled the “alumni connections card” and contacted Jamal Story, a graduate of the SMU dance and communications departments of Meadows School of the Arts who was in the show, to allow us access backstage.  Sure enough, minutes later we were hanging out with Jamal and other performers on the empty stage. We talked about our project and received some very interesting information about dancers’ lives in the city.  Dr. Dixon then nearly fainted when Elizabeth Withers-Mendes, Shug Avery, came out of the wings to meet us.  We all got autographs and, like true fans, left the stage giggling and walking in staggered paths away from the stars.
 
Happy Fourth
For the 4th of July, Sarah, Jessica, Kyle, and I braved the crowds down at South Seaport. We enjoyed the Macy’s fireworks display and walked away feeling very patriotic, New Yorken, and a little wet from the rain!
 
The next evening we went to a free dance performance by Ronald K. Brown/Evidence at the Summerstage in Central Park.  We enjoyed our watermelon, brie cheese, and crackers as we watched the exceptionally talented company on stage.  Also this week, Kyle, Matt, Sarah, and I went to a free jazz concert on the edge of the Hudson River.  Besides the fact that we got lost both getting down to the river and getting back, it was a wonderful night.  

This morning (Sunday) Sarah, Jessica, and I got up at 7 a.m. (which is a big deal for me because I’m not a morning person and because it was Sunday) and went to Central Park to stand in line for the Shakespeare in the Park series. The line was out of control. More than 2,000 people were waiting to get a free ticket to Romeo and Juliet that night.  Sadly, we were not one of them, but instead we enjoyed lying out on the grass and taking in the sun. I could not have asked for a better morning.  Maybe Shakespeare next week, and we’ll get up at 5 a.m. instead!

July 1, 2007

An update from mustangconsulting team member Caitlyn
(Caitlyn is a Dallas senior majoring in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.)

We are all settling down as we move into our fourth week. New York is not an
overwhelming, unconquerable place anymore. It is becoming our second home.
We can maneuver through the city with no problems and are learning about all
the fun local spots in New York to spend time!

This week was busy for all of us. We are in the middle of our project, and
everyone is consumed with working. We are spending hours interviewing and
preparing for our final project for the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Coming together
The Dance Theatre of Harlem had its Alumni gathering on June 25 and 26.
Dancers from all different generations of the Dance Theatre came to reunite
and show their support for the school. The weekend was full of activities
such as panel discussions, interviews, family picnics and a cocktail party.
The outcome was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see so many different
generations from the Dance Theatre of Harlem come together.

Dr. Shelley Berg, the SMU dance professor, as well as Assistant Dean Jones
came to visit this week and learn more about our project.

Time for fun
With all of the work, we still managed to have a lot of fun. Dr. Berg set up
a meeting for all of mustangconsulting to meet Gia Kourlas, the dance critic
for The New York Times. By meeting with her, we were able to see the world
of dance from a whole different perspective, the perspective of a
communications person.

On Thursday, Dean Jones went with us to the Schaumberg exhibit. The exhibit
depicted African-Americans and their stereotypes throughout history. We
were all opened up to a new view of the stereotypes, frustrations and the
triumphs of African-Americans throughout history.

After such a long week, we all got our first weekend of free time. Many of
us went out of town, while some took the weekend to relax. It was nice to
have some quiet time to relax and reflect on the weeks that we have been
spending here together. Spending so much time together, mustangconsulting
members are not just students, or friends. We have become a family.

 

June 25, 2007

An update from mustangconsulting team member Matthew
Wow, being in New York has definitely been a rewarding experience thus far. Our days have been long, and no doubt tiring. We all can’t believe how draining this city is! But aside from working hard, we’re having a lot of fun being together and finding new things every day.

Last Sunday we finished working with the Dance Theatre of Harlem on their spring performance of “The Ugly Duckling.” It was amazing to see so many

little kids dancing on stage. Of course, backstage was busy; shuffling little kids from the dressing room to the stage, and dressing kids in frog and duckling costumes kept us very busy. I think watching the show was very rewarding, since we got to see the DTH school perform. Of course, we dancers gawked at the level of talent the Ensemble has. Their bodies are gorgeous!

Hitting the streets
This week was our first full week of interviews and transcribing. We are meeting some really great people who are providing our research with rewarding information. It’s been very exciting traveling around the NYC area and meeting people. Wednesday was most definitely a long day for some of us; Kyle and Breanna traveled to Queens that took them all day. And, Sarah and I got on the wrong train and ended up further into Queens than Kyle and Breanna were! Nonetheless, a few hours later we were all home safe and sound. Even then, the next day Kyle and Breanna were out in Brooklyn not only working, but eating cheesecake too!

On Wednesday we also got to meet some SMU alumni for dinner. It was great sharing stories and talking with them, some who are successful in the city with careers that we all hope to have some day. I met some fellow SigEp brothers: a very surprising chance meeting!

Trying out and trying on
I took some time to go to the CedarLake Contemporary Ballet audition. It was nice to be able to call myself “professional” worthy, and testing out my SMU dance education was amazing. I didn’t actually make it, sad to say, but it was really nice to see other men in the NY dance world.

Professor Shelley Berg from the dance department is here with us this week. Dr. Dixon traveled back to Dallas (18 hours with layovers to be exact) for a quick trip, so Shelley was our faculty in charge. She is providing us with great information and insight, so we’re happy to have her here with us. All of the girls are very impressed with her ability to walk very quickly in heels!

Speaking of fashion, I went on a shopping extravaganza that is definitely not over yet, but a great $35 purchase of a slim fit pair of black shorts fits not only me, but Caitlyn and Breanna as well! The two wore the shorts before I did! Nevertheless the shorts look “fierce” on all three.

We also had the pleasure of meeting some of DTH’s alumni this week. Some of them include Mel Tomlinson, Lydia Abarca, Louis Johnson, and the magnificent Virginia Johnson. All of the alumni were very excited to see each other, and we were very happy to meet them and talk with them.

Why we love NY
Sarah and I continue to see just about every dance show in the city. On Thursday we saw New York City Ballet perform “Jewels” and on Friday night saw American Ballet Theatre perform “Romeo and Juliet.” Sarah and Jessica went down to Lincoln Center and watched Alessandra Ferri retire from the stage. And furthermore on this Tuesday night “Swan Lake” is on; and we’re very excited about that because Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes are taking the lead roles. Sarah and I agreed that a divorce from classical ballet is needed after this week; but our new ABT shirts are the newest rave.

In the meantime, the 9 of us continue to enjoy all that New York has to offer. From the eating, to the shopping, there isn’t an aspect of NYC that we’re missing. Jenny, Sarah, and Caitlyn have started a Bikram Yoga class early in the morning. The three are certainly enjoying the challenges that it brings! The 9 of us are ready for a new week with more hard work and more fun ahead!

Otherwise, NYC is amazing. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been here since the beginning of June. For me it feels like I’ve been in the city for months. I think all of us can agree that this is so far been an amazing experience, and the next 7 weeks should be amazing as well.

June 18, 2007

An entry from mustangconsulting team member Katherine
Katherine is a junior from Washington, D.C., majoring in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, with an English minor.
So it is official. This is real. No more preparing for New York. No more comfort within the safe walls of SMU. I’m really here. Right now I am sitting with

my laptop and my Peppermint Mocha Frappucino alongside a colleague, Jenny, in a local Starbuck’s bordering Columbia University’s campus. As I sit reflecting on the past week here, it hits me that, Mustang Consultants, we’re not in Dallas anymore.

We’ve been in The City for a little over two weeks now and have done so much! The first week was basically our welcome to New York week: getting situated in our apartments, learning the area, figuring out the subway(!), meeting with mustangconsulting about our summer here and becoming closer to each other. Or peeling back that onion as we like to call it… (Courtesy of Altman and Taylor’s Social Penetration Theory) I’ve gotten to know the amazing members of my team by doing everything from being gym buddies and study company, watching the Tony’s with everyone, running random errands, and of course, the sort of infamous late night chats in Jade and Bree’s room with Kyle feeling all kinds of awkward in having to listen to “girl talk.”

We now know and are past comfortable with both our environment and each other, and have thus begun the real adventure. We are into the beginning of our third week here in the city that never sleeps. While the city may stay awake all night, I have been getting to sleep at 11:30 each night, which I haven’t done since middle school! The work has begun and we are seeing our free time spiral down, down and yet, further down as we become drenched in our research. And yes, oh yes, it is only the beginning.

Behind the scenes with Dance Theatre of Harlem
The beginning of last week was spent setting up for the following months. Probably close to fifty interviews were scheduled with various New Yorkers as we prepared for our work. Jenny and Jessica, who are interviewing the parent groups, already held ten interviews and have 12 more for next week! I set up all of my observation days on the members of the DTH organization for the next month and am excited to be there and see the organization internally. I am really lucky because I am one of the two people in mustangconsulting, aside from Dr. Dixon, who get to see DTH behind the scenes. Dr. Dixon gave me an amazing opportunity and an amazing task; I will learn so much about how organizations are run and about the everyday happenings in businesses.

A birthday dance – on stage!
Within our mustangconsulting organization, we celebrated a birthday on Wednesday. Breanna turned 21 years old! And I think you can guess how we all decided to spend her birthday… by seeing a dance performance!!! Seven of us went downtown to see Cederlake, a contemporary ballet company. In a word, they were unbelievable! The fusion of swan-like gestures with brash, in-your-face strikes definitely left a mark on us. The choreographer was brought in from Israel and had a completely different style of his own that is unlike anything else here in New York. In an interview, he said that his dancers move as without spines. If that doesn’t give you some sort of visual, then I don’t know what will.

Aside from their evoking pieces, there was one number in particular that deeply moved two of our Consultants. Kyle and Sarah were brought up on stage with close to ten other audience members to dance. In should be noted that Sarah is a dancer, and Kyle, well, he is a communications major. Sarah was dancing right along with the Cederlake performers in her heels and looking pretty darn good while doing it! And Kyle was asked to dance by another male dancer and he was, well he was beet red. He was an amazing sport and even though he was deathly embarrassed, he still moved a little bit and was such a trooper. It was one of the week’s highlights to see them dancing on stage with the professionals! After the show we were so revved-up that we all decided to venture to Times Square and walk around. There are always a million and one people in Times Square, so after about 30 minutes of walking we decided to head back.

Frogs, ducks and fireflies
On Friday I had my first in-the-office workday. I love my task because I get to actually be in the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) and observing with my partner Caitlin. We were there for only about two hours because the woman we were observing had to go to the Aaron Davis Theatre to help with DTH’s annual Spring Performance. The performance was on Saturday and Sunday, and we volunteered to help out on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

We all had designated jobs to do, but they all ended up not mattering, as most of us ended up helping out with the little frogs, ducks and fireflies, aka the 3-8 year olds. On Saturday I took the first shift with the 3-5 year olds, the frogs and the ducks, and ended up babysitting them and playing with them for about four hours until the next group of Consultants arrived. As you can imagine, I was exhausted! Those little tykes are a piece of work! Especially when there are about 50 of them all in a small dressing room yelling at the tops of their baby lungs! After my shift I went to get some food with Sarah, Matt and Jade and later we all went back to see the performance.

DTH put on an original ballet of the Ugly Ducking and it was so good! It was such a pleasure to see these 3 year olds dressed in green leggings and leotards with bobbling froggie eyes on their heads hopping across the stage! I loved seeing all of these little girls jumping around that had been cuddling with me and sitting on my lap only three hours earlier. I can only imagine what it is like as a parent watching your children perform, and perform in a show of quality and professionalism.

After the show of the Ugly Duckling, the esteemed DTH Ensemble performed six numbers. Their talent combined with the unique DTH style makes me proud to be a part of this project. It is one thing to work with an organization from the business prospective, but it is a completely different experience to see the artistic product of that organization. It was wonderful that we were able to lend our hands backstage, but it was even more rewarding to see the stage and the talent that feeds the organization. If anything, it only made me more involved, willing to work harder and excited about my efforts.
What an opportunity
With all of this in mind here I am on Monday morning, writing to tell you all of the amazing experiences and learning opportunities that I am having here. I am not just learning from the work that I am doing for the mustangconsulting group, but I am learning invaluable lessons about the business world, about the social side of the business world, and about being independent in both my work and my everyday life.

My time here has only begun, but I know that it will fly by. It’s funny actually, to think about it. What a coincidence of it all. I came here a little intimidated, a little frightened, a little unsure and unknowing of the real professional world. Basically I was a little ugly duckling. And now I am going through these trials and experiencing this vast city on my own and having to navigate myself until I succeed, until I become that beautiful swan. That strong swan who has journeyed through foreign lands to develop into her own and accomplish what she set out to do.

June 10, 2007

We Made It!
I have arrived, along with eight other students, in the city that never sleeps, New York. It’s more than I imagined. Horns honking, men and women yelling, billboards lighting up. Not to mention the phenomenal performing and visual arts surrounding me everyday such as A Chorus Line, American Ballet Theatre, The Lion King and many more! As I looked down the streets I saw people walking so fast it seemed that they would lift off at any moment and fly. They were all on a mission and nothing could keep them from obtaining that mission.

We registered for our apartments at Columbia University on 113th and Broadway, and Dr. Maria Dixon laid down the rules. I listened attentively, but in the back of my mind I was eager to dance and ready to begin my life-changing experiences.

First Dance in New York
That Monday, June 4th, Breanna and I caught the subway down to 72nd and walked two blocks to 74th where the well-known dance school, Steps, resides. While walking I saw what looked like a scene from a movie. Dancers everywhere, preparing themselves for class, and I was amongst them. My first dance class in New York, and wow was it amazing! Robert Battle, an African American originally from Miami, Florida and graduate of Juilliard School of the Arts, taught an awesome master class. I was already experiencing class from someone who looked like me. Although the studio was large, the numerous amounts of developing artists in the room closed me in and made the space appear small, something that I would have to get used to. I saw so much talent and could not wait to become a part of it.

The excitement of working with the Dance Theater of Harlem has yet to die down in my stomach, but work must be done. I just found out that I will be working directly with Mr. Mitchell. Although nervous, I feel that the knowledge I could gain from being surrounded by such an intelligent and wise individual could be personally and artistically life-changing. He has always been one of the most important individuals in the development of not only the black ballerina, but in the growth of black dance as an entity. He is the embodiment of passion, dedication, and wisdom.

Besides working with Mr. Mitchell, I have the honor of being supervised by one of the most intelligent women I have ever met, Dr. Dixon. She is going to and has already opened many doors for each of the students of mustangconsulting. The chance to live in the “city of opportunity,” relate and apply learned communication theories to a real-life client and still dance was unimaginable for me just one year ago. I am at a loss for words.

Learning From the Greats
Wednesday, June 6, the dancers of mustangconsulting – Breanna, Matthew, Jessica, Sarah, and I – had the opportunity to take class from Mr. Mitchell himself and the Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble. The presence of such a powerful man and beautiful dancers fighting to diversify ballet motivated us. It made me in particular want to be better at anything I put my hands on or mind to. From here on out I will prepare to succeed. The growth that could come from one’s spirit through this project is infinite.

Early Friday afternoon, June 8 the women of mustangconsulting got together and took a trip to enjoy the scenery of Central Park. Beautiful grass, whimsical butterflies, motivated runners, laughing children, and calm dogs all together underneath the summer sun. As I laid out in the grass I read Barbara Milberg Fisher’s In Balanchine’s Company and immersed myself into her world. And then the grass began to itch me and my beautiful moment was ruined. I was knocked back into reality, but for once I was at peace. I realize that being here in New York can be much like a dream.

April 12, 2007

Introduction
I have the honor of participating in the project between the mustangconsulting team of Southern Methodist University and The Dance Theater of Harlem. In this project I and eleven other students of Meadows School of the Arts will assist the company in gathering information and insight that will help in the further development of their internal and external relationships. Along with participating in a Corporate and Communications and Public Affairs course, we will also spend ten weeks during the summer (from June 1st-July 31st) in the heart of New York City speaking with The Dance Theater of Harlem’s employees, donors, alumni and audience members.

The opportunities that come along with this internship are beyond belief. We are given the chance to apply communication theories and skills to a real life client with real life expectations and problems, the ability to network with executives, and the chance to gain possible prospects for future jobs. The doors that could be opened from this developing project are countless!

Dancing Every Day
Besides this exciting project I dance every day. I just recently performed (March 28-April 2) with the Dance Ensemble of Meadows School of the Arts in our Spring Hope Show in the Bob Hope Theatre. I, along with about thirty other dancers endured weeks of dance, technical and dress rehearsals to provide not only our audience members with a heartfelt performance, but ourselves with reminders of why we do what we do. Passion.

I was given to opportunity to perform in a William Forsyth work, Vile Parody, and as the lead in a Danny Buraczeski work, Ezekiel’s Wheel. I cannot even put into words the spiritual, mental and physical growth I gained from performing each of these phenomenal works.