[Music] [Applause] It was a Saturday morning and mama and papa as they always were sitting down having breakfast but papa would get up and come and see and check on me and VC he would say it's time for you to hurry up and get yourself together and I knew exactly what that meant. It was time for dance class. Corine Morris Williams Dance School located at 2345 Grant Street right here in the great city of Gary, Indiana.And today it is Dance Excel owned by my dear friend and classmate Dr. . Deion Champion and a ...

Performing Arts & Education - Key Themes - Repton's performing arts program aims to help students control, channel, and master extremes to reach their full potential [19] - The performing arts provide skills applicable beyond the stage, such as communication and perspective-taking [18] - Repton's historical performances date back to 1557, with students writing prologues and epilogues [13] Historical Context & Evolution - Ancient Greek theater used masks and amphitheater seating to represent and balance social hierarchies and human emotions [4][5] - Shakespeare's plays utilized language and imagination to overcome stage limitations and explore extremes of nature and human nature [9] - Modern performances like War Horse, Frankenstein, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child push boundaries through puppetry, casting choices, and stagecraft [10][11][12] Repton School's Performing Arts History - Early Repton performances faced skepticism but were ultimately successful, with students even writing their own comedic plays [2][15] - The Repton Amateur Dramatic Society debuted in 1911, overcoming initial negative perceptions [15] - Repton built the 400 theater in 1957 to celebrate its anniversary, with Hamlet as the opening production in 1959 [16][17]

Core Idea - Performing arts is a way for people to express themselves and reveal their true selves [2][8] - Performing arts involves collaboration, expression, and learning new skills [3][4] - Performing arts provides a break from everyday worries and allows for self-understanding [5] Key Factors of Performing Arts - Performing arts encompasses creative activities performed in front of an audience, such as drama, music, and dance [3] - Collaboration is a key part of performing arts, fostering bonds and partnerships [5][6] - Performing arts teaches valuable skills like public speaking, confidence building, and diction [7] Impact of Performing Arts - Performing arts has a positive and lasting impact on individuals' futures [7] - Performing arts can transform individuals, building confidence and helping them express themselves [7][8] - Performing arts allows individuals to embrace their true selves and make new friends [8]

Career Journey & Personal Development - The speaker discovered a passion for dancing at age 8 and theater at age 11, becoming heavily involved in performing arts throughout school [4] - A pivotal moment involved choosing between a conventional academic path (dropping out of a top arts college after 3 months) and pursuing performing arts [8][9] - Early career involved a lead role in a large-scale theatrical production, which provided both artistic fulfillment and financial stability [12][13] - Overcame adversity when a family emergency (sister's accident) coincided with a major film opportunity, learning resilience and commitment to performance [18][23][25] - Navigated challenges in the film industry, facing rejections and maintaining perseverance through continuous training and self-improvement [29][30][31] - Achieved success with a web series after years of consistent effort, highlighting the importance of persistence and preparation [32] Key Takeaways & Advice - Every effort and practice contributes to future success, even if the results are not immediately apparent [33] - The importance of showing up and being prepared for opportunities [33] - Resilience and the ability to perform despite personal challenges are crucial for artists [25][26]

Career and Artistic Journey - The speaker's 40 years of work in performing arts started at age five, driven by a childhood dream of global peace [1][2] - The speaker trained for seven and a half years and became a national champion winner in Barasanatium competitions [6] - The speaker's first award was for service to Southeast Asian countries for teaching nearly 8 to 10 thousand students [17] - At 56, the speaker returned to the limelight, embracing her scars and sharing her story through dance [18] Family and Mentorship - The speaker's parents provided a foundation of education, spirituality, and arts, influencing her work [2][5] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of teachers (gurus) in her life, highlighting the gurukulum system where students live and study with the teacher [5][7] - The speaker's family is known as a Malaysian family in the arts, with her children being multi-talented musicians and dancers [13][14] Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose - The speaker faced personal struggles, including depression and a health condition (atopic dermatitis) that impacted her ability to perform [10][15] - The speaker found healing and purpose in teaching at the Temple of Fine Arts, which allowed her to grow and help others [12][13] - The speaker challenged traditional expectations by dancing without makeup or costumes and shaving her head, making a statement about beauty and perfection [16] Message and Vision - The speaker advocates for using performing arts as a tool to create empathy, compassion, and unity in the world [19] - The speaker hopes to inspire millions, especially children, to love, live, and communicate with their parents [19]

Artistic Expression & Empowerment - The arts, including dance, music, and performance, serve as a means of resistance, empowerment, and claiming space, particularly for those marginalized by societal norms [4][25][26] - Embodiment through dance and voice allows for articulation and expression when verbal communication is challenging [3][4] - Creative work connects individuals to community, cultural identity, ancestral memory, and a sense of belonging [14] - Art is not optional but essential for life and hope, especially within immigrant communities [20] Identity & Multiplicity - Embracing contradiction, complexity, and cultural identity as a source of strength is crucial, particularly for Latina artists navigating resistance and acceptance [15][16] - Individuals are meant to be multifaceted, defying societal pressures to fit into a single category or role [6][20][27] - Overcoming self-doubt and adversity through art leads to personal power and the ability to empower others [25][26] Career & Community - Building art with community and chosen family is more fulfilling than industry accolades [23] - Home is defined as an artistic family, shared creation, and community, rather than a physical place [24] - Balancing art, advocacy, and academia allows for standing tall and shattering limiting molds [24]