Full Name:
Ashley DePalermo
Major/Year:
B.A. Theatre and Dance (dance concentration); B.A. English / Senior
Favorite class in Theatre & Dance and why:
It’s so difficult to name one particular class as my favorite, but if I had to choose, I would say contemporary dance technique. It was my first class on my first day of my first year at UT. I had never taken contemporary technique before, so the whole experience was new, exciting, fun, scary, and frustrating at the same time! Now, I’m taking my seventh straight semester of this class, and there is always more to learn. Body-awareness, weight-sharing, giving a commanding performance – the list goes on.
Favorite thing about Austin:
Honestly, my favorite thing about Austin is the people. I’m originally from Georgetown, which is about 30 minutes north of Austin, but the two places really couldn’t be more different. Austin is so much more diverse, but also much more tolerant. Each person has his/her own way to “keep Austin weird,” and that’s okay. I don’t feel like someone is going to give me a funny look if I have a different appearance or different ideas or views on the world.
Favorite place to study:
I’m the kind of person who needs a quiet, controlled environment to study. I love people-watching, but for me, it’s definitely not conducive to reading or writing a paper. If I have to study on campus, I’ll go to a library, usually the PCL or the Fine Arts Library. But my favorite place to study is a comfy armchair in my apartment – with a mug of hot chocolate, of course.
Brief biography (including projects, awards, accomplishments):
Ashley DePalermo began her dance training at Performing Arts Studio in Georgetown, Texas. She studied there from the ages of three to eighteen, taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop and performing as part of the studio’s dance troupe. During her high school career, Ashley also appeared in Grease with Southwestern University’s Summer Stage Repertory Theatre and in Into the Woods with the Georgetown High School drama department.
At the University of Texas, Ashley has studied contemporary dance with Andrea Beckham, Kent DeSpain, Yacov Sharir, Holly Williams, and Lyn Wiltshire and ballet with David Justin and Andee Scott. She has appeared in multiple works through Dance Repertory Theatre, including Yacov Sharir’s Twining, Rachel Murray’s Changuita Perla, Harrison McEldowney’s Aria Redux, and Charlotte Griffin’s Corner. In 2007, Ashley had the honor of performing Aria Redux and Corner at the southwest American College Dance Festival conference at Texas Christian University. Ashley is a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa and is currently pursuing dual degrees in Theatre and Dance and English, with plans to graduate in May 2008.
Current projects/research/interests:
This year, I was elected co-president of Dance Action, so I’m busy planning and handling the logistical side of that organization. I will also be choreographing a piece for our show later this semester. Outside of dance, I am trying to build a poetry portfolio for my applications to MFA creative writing programs.
