“Waco-based Out On a Limb Dance Company seized the afternoon’s one Opportunity to go avant-garde. Exactly what She Drew a Picture of a Whale was all about, is anyone’s guess, but enough was going on to keep one’s interest. [L. Brooke Schlecte and media projection of Rachel Bruce Johnson] seemed confined in their own universe, but one that is almost identical...”

“Here is my theory about dances: Only 10% take you to that ‘wow factor’ and of those 10 only about 3% take you beyond the ‘wow factor’ into a new way of seeing, feeling, and living. [Bell House Dance] took me into that 3% place. Thank you!”

“I really loved having Whitney Dufrene come last week! It was really good to learn a different style of modern from some one who is currently dancing for a company. Whitney was a valuable guest artist because she was a dance major at school not too long ago so she understands what we are doing everyday and she was able encourage us because she had done it. I benefited greatly from her coming and teaching technique and the workshops. ”

“I’ve written here before about the process of making work with Rachel, and having her set work on us has proven to be just as rich (because, well, the work is!). “Game of Risk” (originally created this past spring for Perpetual Motion in Oklahoma City) is an honest, unflinching look at partnership — not what it can be or what it shouldn’t be, but what it often is: a bit of a mess of good intentions gone awry, a clash of wills, an ever-shifting dance among courage, trust, and fear. Rachel’s work is thrilling to learn because it combines a lot of specificity and a lot of space, threading together small looks and gestures with big tough anchoring phrases.

As a choreographer and coach she has what I think of as a very sensitive volume-control knob, so that a movement of the eyes can actually be “louder” than the pounding, dynamic floor work that comes shortly after it. Being in her work, watching her create and re-create in the moment, is always an awesome gift.”

“I had a wonderful experience during Exchange, even before the event itself! The communication - through email - was efficient and timely and it was clear to me that the event was being produced by a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals. During the event, there was an environment for genuine exchange and artists from different backgrounds, ages, histories found a space to show their work and improve together. The site-specific improvisation was one of my favorite moments, when we could dance and move together.”

“I’m so happy that it all came together after such a struggle in the mud and muck. You and Megan are quite a duo...you flow together and apart like water spinning through the air. ”

“Tulsa-based The Bell House performed two pieces by TWU grad Amy Querin, her solo, A Steep Hill and Field Study No. 547, danced and choreographed with artistic director Rachel Bruce Johnson, also a product of the TWU graduate dance program. Querin’s solo dancing was breathtakingly athletic, with crisply executed turns and inventive petite allegro.”

“Waco-based Out On a Limb Dance Company seized the afternoon’s one opportunity to go avant-garde. Exactly what She Drew a Picture of a Whale was all about, is anyone’s guess, but enough was going on to keep one’s interest. [L. Brooke Schlecte and media projection of Rachel Bruce Johnson] seemed confined in their own universe, but one that is almost identical...”

“Waco-based Out on a Limb Dance Company seized the afternoon’s one opportunity to go avant-garde. Exactly what She Drew a Picture of a Whale was all about, is anyone’s guess, but enough was going on to keep one’s interest. In a little white slip, L. Brooke Schlecte lies flat several feet away from an open suitcase, its contents strewn around the floor. Contents? Paper.

A video projection displays Rachel Bruce Johnson in a cream slip, another suitcase, and more paper. The two seem confined in their own universe, but one that is almost identical: We view simultaneously Ms. Johnson lying prone behind the suitcase, legs visible, while Ms. Schlecte searches for a pen. Ms. Schlecte has more to do, however. With maniacal furry, she scribbles blue ink on an arm and midsection and pulls off the first layer of clothes, getting more agitated by the moment. Twitching and lurching, she makes her way to the suitcase, there to stretch out in defeat. The video disappears, and the halo of light covering her gets smaller and smaller until she is no longer visible.”