Afua Addo

Thinking back on my 4 years at Miami University, I can genuinely say that Dance Theatre was one of the most prevalent and rewarding experiences I have taken away. My time with Dance Theatre is something that I will never forget nor take for granted. This company has not only left me with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, but also life lessons that I still carry with me. My time in the company taught me so much, and I am so blessed for each company member that I was able to spend each year with as I was able to learn and take away from each one of them. Dance Theatre helped me grow in so many ways. Dance Theatre offered me a safe haven. Throughout undergrad I always seemed to have a packed schedule whether it was my involvement in varying organizations, my loaded course schedule as a pre-medical student, or involvement in the microbiology research lab. Whenever I entered the studio I was able to release any stress, fear, sadness, or grief I had through movement. The lack of judgment and the freedom of expression is one thing I will always love most about being in Phillips 115. I was able to push myself as a dancer and explore what it was like to choreograph and stage pieces for our semesterly concerts. This company allowed me to explore my leadership skills and expand them for the better. I was more than happy to give back to the company by serving on the Executive Board as Secretary and President during my time in Dance Theatre. One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I had at Miami University was becoming the President of this company during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time of fear and panic, a time when not much was known about the disease, all organizations were left in a state of confusion on how to function during a time when so many rules and regulations were put up against us. I am forever grateful for Lana Kay, and the 2020-2021 Executive Board, for helping me run the company during the emergent state of a pandemic! We were able to still fulfill our mission statement and our goals for that season while still having the safety of our dancers at the forefront. We were still able to have both of our semesterly concert's that season ranging from virtual to outdoor venues! I am also so grateful for the cooperation of the company that year. So many changes to the rules and regulation were presented to the organizations at Miami University at the last minute, but with each change the company was able to make the most of it, which was a major contribution to the success of the season that year.  I was also so honored to be a part of a company that brought light onto the tragedies that were occuring in our nation. During the summer of 2020, after the homicide of George Floyd and during the height of Black Lives Matter Movement, our company put on a class in honor of the BLM movement. This drop-in dance class was taught by our amazing alumni Liza Torrence, donating proceeds to the Black Art Futures Fund. I was so proud to lead an organization where every single member was in support of movements such as the BLM movement and were happy to advocate against the injustices we see in our country today. I have loved seeing this organization continue to grow into such a holistic organization that not only embodies advancing the dancer technically in their artistry, but also growth in each member's character throughout their time in Dance Theatre. Dance Theatre, and all that it has left me with, will always be a part of my life in some shape or form.