I love to wander, to read, to write, to pop on a vinyl, nuzzle a cat, and sketch some randomness. I am a daughter, a partner, a cat mom, a mover and a shaker. Literally. I am a dance instructor, a choreographer, an artist, and a creative. I am an introvert in life and an extrovert on the stage. I’m a newbie scuba diver, museum lover and amateur traveler.Â
Often making an appearance in various blog posts is my supportive partner Phil. We are a family of five living in a cozy little home in Milwaukee, WI. It’s just the two of us and our three sweet fur babies; Lita, Tabitha and Pendleton. I make my living by training the next generation of young dancers in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance and Phil is a butcher. While my previous dance history is quite varied I studied at the University of WI – Milwaukee where my focus turned to contemporary dance. In 2013, I graduated with a BFA in Dance with an emphasis on Choreography & Performance.
After years of managing a balancing act of teaching gigs, studio business and performance commitments, I began to experience signs of burnout. I wasn’t giving myself time to recharge. The pressure of career achievements, job responsibilities, and misplaced energy formed a heavy rock I couldn’t seem to come out from underneath of. I was exhausted mentally, physically and creatively.
Sipping a cup of coffee, cat on lap, and falling into a good book was a lovely idea, but not one I’d have time for in this adult life. I soon realized that self-care might come in different packages but it is essential all the same. If I wanted to preserve my spirit, and keep the good vibes flowing, time away from the phone and demands of the daily grind to invest in my personal goals would be non-negotiable.
Struck by these realizations, I slowly began to reintroduce interests I had shelved for my career back into my life. It became clear that these other passions had majorly influenced my choreographed works of the past but somehow their practice sat dormant in me for sometime. I’m not sure how I lost myself. Travel and the arts are nutrients I cannot survive happily without!
As I reflected, I found that childhood interests and museum visits are where my love of the arts took root. (Thanks mom & dad!) Through the experiences gathered during journeys past, I rediscovered key moments of growth. Over the years, I have found inspiration for new works of dance through life experiences, travel, films and my other artistic endeavors. It’s all related.
I was a crafty kid, and now, I am one artsy adult. I used to stay up late into the night my fingers burning from the poor use of the glue gun making last minute Christmas gifts for family members out of felt and googly eyes. While I’m still not much better with the glue gun, I love to sketch, paint and craft, always enjoying the experience. The act of planning, assembling and falling deep into a new project, eases my daily anxiety and allows me to express myself in new ways.
As a child of the 80’s, I remember lively neighborhood shenanigans and creating our own worlds of incredible adventure. Presenting plays and concerts with my best friends and cousins we would work together to cast, choreograph, market and haphazardly costume our shows as if they were the most important productions of the century. Perhaps, they were? Today I create works of dance through the Gina Laurenzi Dance Project and have choreographed numerous themed dance events with various dancers in the midwest for the past 16 years.
Like most people, the pandemic itself forced change. Events cancelled, performances postponed. Self-reflection was demanded whether I agreed to it, or not. I resisted, but I soon saw I needed to change my pattern of thinking, and reshape my life so that I could truly live the life I’ve imagined.
This blog itself is something I’d wanted to start but kept pushing further and further back. Until next month, until next year, etc. etc. I felt it had to be perfect but what is perfection? I am a work in progress, as is this blog. I have always loved writing and so, after years of getting in my own way, I begin.
*PC: Christal Wagner Photography