How does dance create space for connection, presence, and self-awareness? In this contemplative episode of The DancePreneuring Studio, I reflect on my experience attending Ballet Preljocaj’s Gravity at The Joyce Theater in New York City. Through honest observations shaped by fatigue, distracted thoughts, and moments of boredom, I explore the practice of non-attachment—recognizing how deeply we cling to sensory engagement and expectations.

I wrestle with being present amidst mental fog while witnessing a contemporary ballet that both challenges and rewards with its slower rhythm, minimal sound, and cyclical movement patterns. Alongside personal reflections, I appreciate the graceful way The Joyce Theater and Ballet Preljocaj handled unforeseen crew challenges, inspired by Artistic Director Angelin Preljocaj’s mantra, “Don’t complain, don’t explain.”

Whether you’re invested in dance, mindfulness, or the intersection of art and life, this episode invites a pause to appreciate gratitude, presence, and creative resilience.

The Reality of Fatigue: Even artists can feel disengaged or bored, and that honesty opens space for reflection and growth.

Non-Attachment in Practice: Applying yoga’s principle beyond the mat—learning to be present without clinging to stimulation or expectation.

Movement as a Mirror: How dance reflects internal states—showing us where we resist and where we surrender.

Gratitude and Grace Under Pressure: The thoughtful communication around visa challenges and the company’s adaptive spirit reflects professionalism and humility.

A Guiding Mantra: “Don’t complain, don’t explain.” — Benjamin Disraeli, a reminder to embrace change without resistance or excuse.

• Ballet Preljocaj

• The Joyce Theater

• Site-Specific Innovation:Every Heidi Duckler Dance work is created on location, inviting the community into the process and letting site and story co-evolve.
• Holding Space for Legacy and New Voices:Ray honors the company’s history while expanding its reach—mentoring foster youth, exploring film, dreaming of international impact, and fostering diverse artistic collaborations.
• Navigating Artistic Leadership:Balancing the perspectives of performer and director, Ray advocates for artist well-being, clear communication, and leading with empathy.
• Audience Agency and Surprise:Audiences are empowered to engage on their own terms, producing moments of genuine connection and unpredictability from food truck ballets to rooftop classes.
• Movement as Dialogue:For Ray, dance addresses cultural themes, sparks dialogue, and becomes a universal language for belonging, healing, and empowerment.

• Heidi Duckler Dance:heididuckler.org
• Ray on (@raymondejiofor)
• Learn more about the company’s legacy:Heidi Duckler Dance Anniversary.

• Learn more about David Rousseve: Official bio and upcoming performances at CAP UCLA
• Becoming Daddy AF: Kelly Strayhorn Theater

• Dance as a Language of Empathy and Justice

• The “Creative Minority” as Change Agents

• Teaching Movement Beyond Technique

• Reimagining Narrative Through Lowlyfe

• Collaboration as Spiritual and Creative Practice

• From Competition to Community

• "FOG" features two world premieres — Danielle’s Soon After and Jacob’s Grip — blending raw movement, live music, and storytelling.

• The project is a creative and financial collaboration to share resources, reduce risk, and build community in LA’s dance scene.

• Music is performed live by acclaimed collaborators Yuka Honda (with Danielle) and Live Footage (with Jacob).

• The choreography doesn't just recount events; it surfaces the nostalgia and anticipation that inform how we experience time itself.
• Music, lighting, and presence work together to prompt reflection: Which memories do we hold onto? Which do we let slip by?

• The dialogue between the dancers' bodies is riveting: sometimes leaning in for support, breaking away. It's a study in dependency and the bravery it takes to let go.
• The motif of shadow—shifting and morphing as the dancers approach the light suggests how appearances, attachments, and identities are amplified or diminished by our proximity to what we seek.
• The choreography conjures the yoga concept of aparigraha (non-attachment), posing the question: What are you holding onto too tightly?

• A cr

In this episode of The DancePreneuring Studio, I invite you to step into the beauty of ambiguity with me as we explore the world of ‘In Search of an Exit’ by Steven Atwater and Thomas Ford. We’ll discover how embracing uncertainty, valuing diverse perspectives, and finding strength in both vulnerability and playfulness can inspire growth in dance, life, and business. Join me as we celebrate the power of small, supportive spaces and the creative freedom that comes from making your own meaning—on stage and beyond.

1. Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity—allow yourself to make your own meaning from experiences, both in art and in life.
2. Value diverse perspectives and stories, recognizing that each viewpoint adds richness to our understanding and growth.
3. Use vulnerability and playfulness as strengths; they foster deeper connections and spark creativity, whether on stage or in business.
4. Appreciate the power of small, supportive environments—intimate venues create space for genuine connection and community, fueling artistic and personal development.
5. Remember that not everything needs to “make sense” to be valuable; sometimes, the most profound insights come from what is left open to interpretation.
6. Recognize how dance dramatizes the search for identity and belonging, resonating with universal themes of otherness and self-discovery.
7. Notice the impact of artistic choices, like unconventional staging, which invite both performers and audiences to reconsider their roles and perspectives.
8. Celebrate playfulness and experimentation, understanding that humor, risk-taking, and creative exploration are essential for innovation and fulfillment in any field.