This event will paint a landscape of the world of professional dance, with a focus on the contemporary dance scene and the challenges ahead. During the 90-minute session, we will discuss why networking is essential, navigating life as a freelance artist and the value of self-care practices.
Co-presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts and the Center for Career Development.
Workshop Leader
Elisa Clark – Lecturer in the Program in Dance
Elisa Clark is an award winning artist, educator, and administrator from the Washington, DC area, who trained at the Maryland Youth Ballet, before receiving a BFA from The Juilliard School, under Benjamin Harkarvy. Ms. Clark was a founding member of Robert Battle’s Battleworks Dance Company, where she also served as Company Manager. Additionally, she was a featured member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, and Mark Morris Dance Group, and performed with Nederlands Dans Theater and The Metropolitan Opera, in works by Jirí Kylián, and Crystal Pite, respectively.
Her extensive performing career has also included appearances in the Off-Broadway production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, as well as in film work with Breton Tyner-Bryan’s Breton Follies Productions, and as an actor in several Samuel Beckett plays, directed by Mark Morris for Northern Ireland’s Happy Days Festival. As an educator, she has held residencies and faculty positions at the Ailey School/Fordham University, Alabama School of Fine Arts, American Dance Festival, Brown University, George Mason University, Indiana University, Jacob’s Pillow, Marymount Manhattan College, MOVE (NYC), University of North Carolina School of the Arts, New World School of the Arts and is currently on faculty at the University of the Arts, Princeton University, and the DASH Academy, directed by Greg Dolbashian. As a repetiteur and rehearsal director, Ms. Clark frequently restages the works of Mr. Battle and Mr. Morris. Ms. Clark is a Princess Grace Award Winner and a Certified Life Coach, often leading seminars, empowering artists to navigate their respective field. She is also most recently touring alongside Monica Bill Barnes, with Monica Bill Barnes & Company, in Happy Hour.
