Lauren Morris

Dancing

Someone once said “that which cannot be spoken can be sung, and that which cannot be sung can be danced.” I have found this saying to be true in my life. Ever since I was six years old, dance has been my primary form of self-expression. Of course, it was not until late into middle school that I became serious about my passion for dance. I realized that God had blessed me with a talent not many people possess. I danced seriously throughout high school, but after 100s of hours spent in the studio and much literal blood, sweat, and tears, I decided to take a break during my senior year. My focus had become much more about doing everything perfectly instead of just dancing for the love of it. For so long, dance had been my escape from the stresses of the other aspects of my life, but my perfectionist personality eventually turned it into yet another stress. After a year off, however, I began to miss the thing that was such a huge part of my life for so long. Upon arrival at UGA, I learned about auditions being held by a local performance company out of downtown Athens, and I decided to give it a shot. I longed to be in the studio again and to do what I have always loved to do. I was lucky enough to be one of the few who made it into the company. This new low-pressure environment provides exactly the setting I need to do what I love most without the pressure of always having to be perfect. Being a part of this company has added tremendously to my Freshman year experience here at UGA. Although everything around me has changed in this new stage of life, I feel as if I have a little piece of home with me when I am in that studio.