Alumni Feature:
JESS BAILEY ‘19
This week, we talked to Alumni Jess Bailey whose passion for the arts and creating is evident in her involvement in Bodyhype and a multitude of arts communities during her Time at Princeton, but also on her journey beyond. Currently Jess is pursuing a masters in Dance/Movement Therapy at Antioch University New English, and also is an aerialist instructor, model, actor and artist.
Read below to hear about why Jess chose Bodyhype, her experience as Assistant artistic Director and how her time at Bodyhype informed her personal and professional journey.
Introduce yourself!
When I was at Princeton I majored in Sociology and got certificates in AAS and Musical Theater. BodyHype was literally my life for the majority of Princeton, but when I wasn’t dancing with the company, I was doing shows with Princeton University Players and the LCA’s Theater Department. My senior year, I joined another dance company called Dorobucci (doro doro!), which is an African dance company. Right after I graduated from, I actually started working at Princeton as the inaugural Arts Program Coordinator in ODUS, so I was able to continue doing work I was passionate about with the student artists on-campus. Currently I’m in graduate school at Antioch University New England where I’m pursuing my masters in Dance/Movement Therapy with an emphasis on couple and family therapy. Outside of school I’m also an aerialist and instructor at Chicago Aerial Arts, where I teach fundamentals and level 1 sling classes. Whenever I’m not learning or teaching, I find different ways to perform around the city as a dancer, aerialist, model, actor, you name it. So much of being an artist is trying to stay flexible and open to whatever opportunities come my way!
When and why did you join Bodyhype?
I joined Bodyhype my freshman year, so that was Fall 2015. Bodyhype was the only company I auditioned for at the time, so I think it’s safe to say that I was COMMITTED. Honestly, what made me join was how welcoming everyone was to me. The vibe of the audition was super fun and I also really appreciated how patient and considerate the choreographers were when teaching the combo. It made it much easier for me to come out of the shell I was living in at that point.
I literally think that my time as AAD specifically was one of the most collaborative experiences I have ever had in my life.
If you had a leadership role in the company, what was it and how was it a fulfilling role for you?
As a freshman/sophomore I was one of the production managers and as a sophomore/junior I was one of the AADs. I literally think that my time as AAD specifically was one of the most collaborative experiences I have ever had in my life. Micaela, Danielle, and I were literally as thick as thieves and there was such a beautiful ebb and flow with the ways each of us contributed to the artistic direction of the company. I mostly contributed in terms of the hip-hop choreography and direction, but nonetheless always felt like my opinion was valued and honored. The experience truly awakened me to all of my possibilities as a MOVER not just as a hip-hop dancer, and really stretched me choreographically.
What are you passionate about? What gets you excited to wake up in the morning?
EMBODIMENT. Literally getting up in the morning for me often feels like I’m in a video game and I get to customize my avatar and choose my adventure for the day. Being very intentional about the rituals in my life that influence my embodiment brings me so much joy. I especially love to do this with fashion. I absolutely love styling myself, choosing makeup and accessories, and then seeing how my choices affect the way I feel inclined to move through the world. It’s so empowering.
Has your time in the company informed your personal and professional journey?
Literally, my time in BodyHype has been so life changing. People always underestimate the ways your co-curricular interests can lead you more easily into a career that you’re deeply passionate about, but I’m living proof. There’s no way I would’ve gotten my former position at Princeton without it, and there’s also no way I would have stepped out on a ledge to explore aerial work and more modern/contemporary styles of dance. Bodyhype made me daring as hell. I used to be so shy when I first came into the company, but 7 years later, I feel like I have full creative control over my life in ways that I did not know were possible until my BH fam nurtured me and challenged me to step more fully into myself.
I feel like I have full creative control over my life in ways that I did not know were possible until my BH fam nurtured me and challenged me to step more fully into myself.
How is the company different from other clubs on Princeton’s campus?
We are TIGHT! I knew that I had a home in BH and that my life outside of dance was just as important to everyone as how well I danced. I feel like other clubs can be really wrapped up in production that they don’t take enough time to build community. Bodyhype strikes the perfect balance between both high level production and tight-knit bonding.
If you could use 3 words to describe BodyHype, what would they be?
bold. brilliant. bonded 4 life ❤️
How are you still involved in the BodyHype community/family?
I’m still really close with all of my friends in BH. I’ve for sure taken a step back since finishing up my job at Princeton but, more than anything I hope that I continue being a resource in whatever ways people want to be supported in continuing their lives as artists outside of Princeton. It doesn’t have to go away just because you leave campus. There are always ways to keep creating!
Also if people wanna connect with me, here is my website and my ig: jessbai.com/ @jessbai_