Fellow Midwesterner Terk Waters is one of many talented dancers featured in Complexions Contemporary Ballet. He began his training at the age of 17 at the Dance Extension in Columbus, Ohio, and received his B.F.A. in dance from Western Michigan University.
Terk also trained with The City Ballet of San Diego and River North Chicago Dance Company, and also danced with a favorite Michigan dance company, Eisenhower Dance before joining Complexions in 2010.
In this segment of In the Hot Seat, get to know Terk Lewis Waters before seeing him and fellow Complexions dancers on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:30 pm.
MSU student tickets are available for just $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/complexions-contemporary-dance.
Terk Life
Name: Terk Lewis Waters
Full given name: Tercell Lewis Waters
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Special skills: I can sleep anywhere.
Current show you have been recommending to friends: Hamilton
Performer/dancer you would drop everything to go see: Sylvie Guillem
Favorite pre-show meal: Sushi
Worst costume ever: Anything tight
Last book you read: The Alchemist
Must-see TV show: Empire
Last good movie you saw: Best of Enemies
Favorite board game/ card game: Old school Rummy is the go-to game when we’re on tour.
Pop culture guilty pleasure: Beyoncé
Cats or dogs: Dogs
Favorite city in the world: New York City, then Tel Aviv, Israel
Favorite reality show: American Ninja Warrior
Midwesterner
Have you been to East Lansing before (with a show or even passing through): A couple trips here in college to visit (party) with friends and perhaps once with Eisenhower Dance.
Do you have family or friends located here: Not yet!
Where were you born/raised: Born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio. Lived in Kalamazoo for 4 years, a year in Detroit and then to NYC.
Do you still have ties to Western Michigan University where you received your B.F.A: I haven’t been back to WMU since graduation but I am definitely still in touch with friends from college, and Complexions performs annually in Detroit at the Music Hall so I see familiar faces often.
What was dancing with Eisenhower Dance like? (Laurie Eisenhower has been an artist-in-resident at Wharton Center): EDE was a great experience. Because it was a small company, I was given a lot of the nurturing and special attention I needed to bridge the gap from being a student to a professional. I also enjoyed the diverse repertoire I danced with at that company.
What do you do when you aren’t dancing: As much as possible. I try to take advantage of all the other opportunities that NYC has to offer. I produce and record music and am also signed to a modeling agent. Those usually eat up most of my free time, but if there’s more left I enjoy checking out new restaurants in the city, seeing live performances, art museums and taking dance classes in other disciplines.
How often do you work out, besides working on in rehearsal or on stage: During our off time, almost everyday. What we do is so physical, so I try to maintain my stamina and strength year round.
Anything else we should really know about you: I am also a music producer and recording artist with music on iTunes Spotify, and Tidal. As a model, I have worked for The Gap, Jimmy Jazz, editorials in 1966 magazine (NYC) and Disorder magazine (UK) and have walked two NY fashion weeks for brands Born Blended, William and Walker, and Sons of David. I have also worked on music videos for Jill Scott, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and rock pianist ELEW.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Complexions Contemporary Dance page at http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/complexions-contemporary-dance. MSU students can use their PID to access specially discounted $15 tickets!
Leave a Reply