Industry Insiders: There is Space For You

Guided by thoughtful questions from student moderators Sydney A. ’26 and Carlyle C. ’26, the discussion moved seamlessly from career highlights to the quieter, more formative moments that shape a life in the arts.

The tone of the afternoon was open and engaging. Students asked about challenges, favorite performances, transitions, and the realities behind professional work, and George and Kenna answered with candor—sharing stories from film sets, tours, auditions, and the in-between seasons that don’t always make it onto a résumé.

Kenna offered a perspective that resonated throughout the room: “This industry is not linear.” She described beginning her career with a clear vision of what she thought it would look like, only to discover that growth often comes through redirection. “Like any road, there are bumps and turns and shifts,” she said — and those shifts, while uncomfortable at first, often lead to something more aligned.

George echoed that theme, reflecting on his move to Los Angeles following his appearance on So You Think You Can Dance and the evolution of his work since touring internationally with Lorde. The dance industry, he explained, “isn’t just about dance.” It requires preparation, professionalism, and the ability to build relationships—skills that extend well beyond the studio.

When the conversation turned to comparison, both speakers were direct. In an age shaped by social media, it can feel as though everyone else is moving faster. George offered a grounded reminder: “If you compare their journey the entire time, you will always feel defeated.” Kenna added, “Your superpowers are specific to you. People are looking for those superpowers.”

At Marymount, we often challenge our students to consider not only what they hope to achieve, but who they are becoming along the way. The discipline they practice in daily dance classes—showing up prepared, receiving feedback, refining their craft—is shaping more than performance ability. As Kenna affirmed, the mentality dancers develop now “will carry you for the rest of your life.”

It was within that context that one phrase resurfaced throughout the afternoon: there is space for you.

It wasn’t offered as a platitude, but as perspective. In an industry that can feel competitive and unpredictable, George and Kenna spoke from experience about seasons of growth, redirection, and waiting—and about the importance of trusting your own timing.

For our dancers, it was a steady reminder that their training, discipline, and individuality are not in competition with someone else’s path. There is room for their voice, their artistry, and their ambition — and the work they are doing now is preparing them to step into that space with confidence.