CHOREOGRAPHY
Jenna's solo and collaborative work
Jenna’s choreography aims to find a balance between dance and comedy. The main focus of thier work is to make serious topics into jokes and to take jokes seriously. Jenna blends familiar gestures with athletic movement to highlight the themes within their work. She hopes to continue to create solo work along with collaborative pieces.
Something Very Wrong (2021)
Something Very Wrong uses overexaggerated emotional imagery and on-the-nose music cues to explore the fine line between taking dance so seriously, it just may become tacky. This ironically dramatic performance was inspired by the longing for physical and emotional human connection felt as the world navigates the social changes society has faced during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Choreographers and Performers:
Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin
Music: “That’s Just the Way It Is”
by Phil Collins
Photography by Bill Peresta
Performed at Tiny dances September 2021
Run Time: 2:40
Photography by Bill Peresta
Photography by Bill Peresta
Photography by Bill Peresta
Photography by Bill Peresta
Slow Boat (2020)
Slow Boat combines task-based movement along with optical illusion imagery to create a grounded yet dreamy landscape. In this film, Jenna reflects on her relationship with boats, negative associations, and what it means to have an attachment.
Choreographer, Performer, and Editor:
Jenna Gross
Concept Collaboration and Project Mentorship: Cathy Nicoli
Videographer and Photos: E. Underhill
Music: “Somebody’s Rocking My Dreamboat” by The Ink Spots and “Waterfalls” by TLC
Virtual Premier October 2020
Run Time: 12:00
Photo by E. Underhill
Photo by E. Underhill
Photo by E. Underhill
Photo by E. Underhill
You Should (2020)
You Should explores the fears and pressures of performing on stage and in life. This piece was created through magnifying and abstracting facial expressions.
Performed and choreographed by Jenna Gross
Music: "Smile" by Timi Yuro
Run Time: 3:15
Apply Pressure (2019)
Apply Pressure comments on using comedy as a coping mechanism. This concept was explored by examining tropes in dance performances and childlike aggression.
Choreographed by Jenna Gross in collaboration with the dancers
Performed by Emily Bartniki, Michaela Curcio, Jillian MacLaughlin, Natasha McLeod, Casey Pender, Caroline Zambernardi, Cara Grady (understudy)
Music: "Break Bass" by Dandi and Ugo, "The Face Of A Clown" by Skeeter Davis
Lighting design by Matt Paquin
Photos by Erin X Smithers
Run Time: 8:00
Choreographed by Jenna Gross in collaboration with the dancers Music: "Break Bass" by Dandi and Ugo, "The Face Of A Clown" by Skeeter Davis Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Erin X Smithers
Choreographed by Jenna Gross in collaboration with the dancers Music: "Break Bass" by Dandi and Ugo, "The Face Of A Clown" by Skeeter Davis Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Erin X Smithers
Choreographed by Jenna Gross in collaboration with the dancers Music: "Break Bass" by Dandi and Ugo, "The Face Of A Clown" by Skeeter Davis Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Erin X Smithers
Choreographed by Jenna Gross in collaboration with the dancers Music: "Break Bass" by Dandi and Ugo, "The Face Of A Clown" by Skeeter Davis Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Erin X Smithers
Put Me On the Fridge (2019)
Put Me On the Fridge reimagines childhood thoughts and feelings on an adult body. Each child has different experiences, yet almost every ‘quirky’ moment becomes relatable. What is the line of individualism and relatability? This interpretation of Jenna's childhood was created through processes of dimensional thinking, transforming, and emphasizing through interviews.
Performed and choreographed by Jenna Gross
Dialogue by Jenna Gross
Run Time: 5:30
Put Me On the Fridge (2019) Performed and Choreographed by Jenna Gross Photographed by Jillian MacLaughlin
Put Me On the Fridge (2019) Performed and Choreographed by Jenna Gross Photographed by Jillian MacLaughlin
Designed by Jenna Gross
Put Me On the Fridge (2019) Performed and Choreographed by Jenna Gross Photographed by Jillian MacLaughlin
hayno;fauqu (2019)
The inspiration for hayno;fauqu came from Jenna and Jill's time studying abroad in London, England. This work reflects on the absurdity of high society and finds humor in archaic social norms.
Choreographed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin
Performed by Jenna Gross, Jillian MacLaughlin, and David Micale
Music: "Windcatcher Part III" by Phillip Glass, "The Conversation" by Dictaphone
Lighting design by Matt Paquin
Photos by Kayla Ebner
Performed during the Junior Senior Showcase at Roger Williams University March 2019
Run time: 5:15
Choreographed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Performed by Jenna Gross, Jillian MacLaughlin, and David Micale Music: "Windcatcher Part III" by Phillip Glass, "The Conversation" by Dictaphone Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Kayla Ebner Performed during the Junior Senior Showcase at Roger Williams University
Choreographed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Performed by Jenna Gross, Jillian MacLaughlin, and David Micale Music: "Windcatcher Part III" by Phillip Glass, "The Conversation" by Dictaphone Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Kayla Ebner Performed during the Junior Senior Showcase at Roger Williams University
Choreographed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Performed by Jenna Gross, Jillian MacLaughlin, and David Micale Music: "Windcatcher Part III" by Phillip Glass, "The Conversation" by Dictaphone Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Kayla Ebner Performed during the Junior Senior Showcase at Roger Williams University
Choreographed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Performed by Jenna Gross, Jillian MacLaughlin, and David Micale Music: "Windcatcher Part III" by Phillip Glass, "The Conversation" by Dictaphone Lighting design by Matt Paquin Photos by Kayla Ebner Performed during the Junior Senior Showcase at Roger Williams University
No wind, No rain (2019)
No wind, No rain was created for the Tiny Dances festival in September 2019 where dancers perform on a tiny stage. This piece reflects the key components of Jenna and Jill's choreographic process: support and playfulness.
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin
Music: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Performed at Tiny Dances September 2019
Run time: 2:30
Beautifully Barren (2018)
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Music: Palestrina: Nigra Sum; Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Voices of Music Photography by Ria Monet McKinnon
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Music: Palestrina: Nigra Sum; Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Voices of Music Photography by Ria Monet McKinnon
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Music: Palestrina: Nigra Sum; Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Voices of Music Photography by Ria Monet McKinnon
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin Music: Palestrina: Nigra Sum; Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Voices of Music Photography by Ria Monet McKinnon
Beautifully Barren transfers the architecture of abandoned buildings onto moving bodies. This piece reflects on the phenomena of being emotionally attached to inanimate objects and structures.
Choreographed and performed by Jenna Gross and Jillian MacLaughlin
Music: Palestrina: Nigra Sum; Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Voices of Music
Performed at BDTx June 2018 and during the Onstage Dance Company Summer Performance Series with ProviDANCE Project August 2018
Photography by Ria Monet McKinnon
Run time: 5:00