An interview series about company members as real people in difficult times:
Interview with Company Member Emily Crews
- Who are you spending this time with?
I’m hanging out with my husband and our dog Abbie. We enjoy our daily family walks. - What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home?
I’ve gone freakazoid over organizing all the spaces. It feels good to clear the clutter and gives me more mental space for creativity. Also, I’m determined to come out of this pandemic a more organized person-or at least a person with a more organized house! - Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know?
I’ve been taking a body music class online with master instructor Keith Terry and it’s so fun! Since he’s on the west coast, this is the only way I’m getting the chance to study with him. Because of my experience with percussive dance, I can relate to the form. It’s challenging me to learn new ways to make rhythm using my whole body as the instrument! - What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? HUGS!
Interview with Company Member Carly Johnson
- Who are you spending this time with? I am spending this time with my husband, our 2-month old baby Isaac, and our dog Harley Quinn.
- What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home? During this time I have found a few moments to bake again. So far I have tried marbled Zucchini bread, and a cookie recipe I have renamed “Quarantine Cookies”.
- Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know? I have discovered that I can still function with much less sleep than I’m used to! But also that I definitely need alone time to recharge in order to be my best self. I never used to appreciate that time before and now I’m sure to make the most of it so I come out rested and in a positive headspace.
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? I’m looking forward to hugging my extended family and friends again. We used to see our parents almost every week, and now it’s been months. I can’t wait to be with them in person.
Interview with Company Member Amy Scaringe
- Who are you spending this time with? I have been spending time with my boyfriend (and roommate) Rob and pup Lily. They both have been a life saver in these stressful times! I’m also working in the (restaurant) field for my job so I have been spending time with my general managers on a weekly basis.
- What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home? I am really enjoying how this time has forced me to do home projects, and now that the gym is closed, my boyfriend and I have started working out TOGETHER! Trying to use this time to start some new habits and routines!
- Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know? I have discovered how great I am at juggling and stress management! The current situation has impacted the restaurant industry almost as much as the arts and entertainment industry. We all have been presented with new situations and a new normal to adjust to.
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? I am really looking forward to seeing friends and family in person again. I also can’t wait to go on vacation again! Even if it is somewhere local.
Interview with Company Member Brynna Wilder
- Who are you spending this time with? I am spending a lot of time with my husband Andy. We have spent more time together since this all started than the first 6 months of marriage
combined! We have also loved playing with our two 4 month old kittens Nimbus and Falcon. Through Zoom we are able to still meet with our Bible study and have happy hour with family which is fun!
- What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home? I have begun crocheting! I am making flower bookmarks for mother’s day gifts and starting on a stuffed dinosaur for a friend having a baby this month. After that I’ll take on some bigger projects for fun! The JFD group always jokes that I love tying knots since I enjoy pre and post show theatre work: hang lights, props, and wiring, so now I am just adding to my knot tying skills.
- Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know? Along with crocheting, I have learned I am pretty good at online teaching. I am the Ballet Coordinator at District Dance Co, which has kept its schedule the same using Zoom for live classes. I am still teaching my same amount, but on a new platform. I work on Imovie a lot and have upped my skills within that program.
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? Andy and I are getting our condo ready for the market. We would like to get a single family home when this starts to clear up! It has been fun adding new paint and cleaning up with a goal in mind. I am also excited to see all of my friends, family, and students!
Interview with Company Member Kelsey Rohr
- Who are you spending this time with? I’m spending my time with my roommate and boyfriend, Sam. I’m thankful that he puts up with my anxiety-filled, bad days and hyper dancing, good days. His patience and level-headedness has been very valuable to me during all of this.
- What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home? Do TikToks count? I know everyone is doing them but that is only proof that they really are that fun! At first I was learning one dance a day, but I fell far behind. TikToks are an easy distraction and mood-booster.
- Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know? I’ve discovered that I’m more like my mom than I thought and I should always let her send me cleaning supplies. When I first moved to Arlington, I complained to my mom that I didn’t have room for 5 cans of Lysol, 3 bags of Lysol wipes, and a Swiffer. Now I’m so glad that she insisted and I have a bottle of hand sanitizer for each room. I, or more accurately, my mom, was ready and I’m grateful. My inner germaphobe is in full force!
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? I’m most looking forward to dancing with my friends again—to partnering and touching and getting a drink with them afterwards!
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Interview with Company Member Becca Weiss
- Who are you spending this time with?
I’ve been spending time with my boyfriend, Aaron, and my cute little pup, Pumpkin. Lots of FaceTime with friends and family too! - What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home?
I’ve actually been watercoloring a lot which is new – it’s been a great creative outlet for me! - Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know?
I’ve discovered my inner Joanna Gaines and become a fixer upper- I recently refurbished an old wooden buffet into a bar! Shabby to chic! - What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? I’m looking forward to hugging my friends and family extra tightly. I’m also looking forward to being back in the studio space with my fellow company members and students – virtual teaching has been good, but there’s nothing like being in the space and feeling the energy of others!
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Interview with Company Member Philip Baraoidan
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- Who are you spending this time with? Spending the most time with my puppy Prosciutto and husband Brett. Virtually I’m still surrounded by my friends – people who keep me inspired and sane daily.
- What is one thing that you’ve found enjoyable during your time at home? Something that I really love because of this quarantine is that I get to go on long daily afternoon walks with my puppy. Usually my days are long- start with rehearsals or teaching during the day straight into teaching in the evening. Now that my daytime is virtual- I’ve cut out traffic and commute time. [I’m able to have a whole hour (sometime 2-3) before I teach in the evening so I’ll take the pup on a long walk or a hike. I’ve always been a bike rider (Arlington has great trails) so ‘I’ve had some time to ride mid day- that has been great.
- Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself that you didn’t already know? As crazy as it sounds, I’ve grown to be more appreciative of my brain and my lifestyle. I’m a constantly on the go kind of person. I love adventures, I love learning new things, I love socializing, I love always being active. I’m definitely an energy bunny of a creature. Slowing my lifestyle down has really put in perspective how my mind works non stop and how my on the go lifestyle provides enrichment and challenges for my brain. I’m so much more thankful for that. Secret talents no – but I guess I learned that you really can get laundry done and put away in the same day (who knew!)
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? Warm weather, on rooftops, and dancing with friends. I really would be quite heartbroken if I don’t get a chance to spend some summertime fun with friends