Communications Associate, Kiersten Resch, recently interviewed dancer and aMaSSiT 2019 artist Jessica Roseman to learn more about her experience with aMaSSiT—a four-month-long choreographic program of class “labs” focusing on choreographic skills and tool building. Jessica studied Dance and African Studies with Honors at Wesleyan University and has presented choreography at various locations from Boston to Miami. Along with other accomplishments, Jessica was recently honored with an Associate Artist Residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts to work intensively with Deborah Hay. You can see Jessica perform with other aMaSSiT 2019 artists at The Dance Complex on June 22nd at 8pm and June 23rd at 7pm!
Interview has been edited for clarity
Q: What has your experience been like during aMaSSiT 2019?
A: I applied for aMaSSiT 2019 to become part of a group with the shared focus of making dance. The aMaSSiT participants are all so different in our backgrounds; it has been wonderful to share in our choreographic processes together!
I have come to appreciate the support, sense of team effort, honesty and candor, and the shared resources and ideas from my peers. The scheduled showings keep me on my toes! I know I can take risks there and will receive valuable feedback in return. Having input from guest teachers helps to put our work in context for the Boston dance world.
Q: How has the program helped you artistically and professionally?
A: I’ve learned some concrete tools on how to market my work, refocus my artistic voice for myself, and for grants and marketing.
Q: What about the final showing are you most looking forward to?
A: I’m excited to perform what I’ve developed with a broader audience than I’ve ever had, combined with other aMaSSiT artist’s audience members—coming together. As the final showing is informal for works in progress, I’m excited to put my work out there to see how I will develop it further.
Q: Did you uncover any advice or understanding about yourself during aMaSSiT 2019 that you would like to share?
A: Watch out for perfectionism—a little bit every day; something is better than nothing.
“You can do anything, so long as you have integrity about it.”
I recognized in the feedback process what sorts of expectations I have as an artist, and how to negotiate my biases to help support other artist’s concerns.
