Where Are They Now?

Lauren Watson
After graduating from The Pointe! Studio of Dance, Lauren was accepted into the College of Visual and Performing Arts at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During her time at UNCG, Lauren was able to mentor under artists such as Duane Cyrus, Robin Gee, BJ Sullivan and Janet Lilly. Additionally, she was able to perform, choreograph, and take many master classes. During her sophomore year, she traveled to Italy to perform and train in Graham technique. During her junior year, she auditioned and was able to learn “Prelude To Action” by Martha Graham and performed it at the Joyce Theatre. 
 In May 2018, Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She has recently relocated to New York City and is training at Broadway Dance Center. 
TaShara Slaughter
TaShara is a sophomore at Alabama State University on a full dance and academic scholarship. She is majoring in Dance. She is also an Elite Model. After college, she aspires to continue to dance with a professional dance company while pursuing her MFA. 
Brion Watson
Brion is a 2014 Graduate of The Pointe! Studio of Dance. After graduation, he attended CCM at the University of Cincinnati briefly, then transferred to The Alvin Ailey School of Dance where he worked under some the industries top elite choreographers and performed with The Alvin Ailey Dance Company. During the summer, Brion performed at The Muny in St. Louis, Missouri, the oldest and largest outdoor theatre in the country. Credits include: “Haispray”, “Mama Mia”, “Little Mermaid”, “The Wiz”, and The 100th Centennial Gala. TV credits include a Dance Double for Damon on FX’s TV series “POSE and a short film “Free” as young Frederick Douglas which one was displayed at The New York Film Festival and our very own Charlotte Film Festival. After graduation, he booked The And Peggy Tour of “Hamilton, the American Musical” which his first stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico where he performed with Lim Manuel-Miranda, the creator and director of “ Hamilton” and appeared on “Jimmy Fallon.” Brion is still performing “Hamilton, the American Musical based in San Francisco, California.
Chelsea Alyssia Pettiford

I am currently a Bachelor Fine Arts (BFA) dance major at Alabama State University. I was very fortunate and blessed to receive a full four- year academic and dance scholarship at Alabama State University. Alabama State University has afforded me the opportunity to pursue a BFA Dance degree and cultivate my craft and passion for dance while experiencing the college life on a "HBCU" campus. Here at Alabama State University I have studied under the dynamic leadership with some of the best professional dance artist: James Atkinson, Lindsay Renea Benton, Jerome Stigler, Michael Metcalf and the late Kavin Grant. The Alabama State University is first and only "HBCU" with a BFA Dance Program, which provides training in four levels of the following genres of dance such as: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African and Hip-Hop.

​Some of my best memorable accomplishments here at Alabama State University includes: Dancing the role as "Clara" in The Atomba Nutcracker Freshman choregraphed by James Atkinson-Assistant Professor of Dance (2016). Induction into The Beta Phi Alpha Dance Society (2017). Induction into The National Society of Leadership and Success (2018). Participating in the National College Dance Festival, American College Association Dance Association held at the Kennedy Center Washington DC. performing as an ensemble dancer "Hearthside" choregraphed by Michael Metcalf -Assistant Professor of Dance at The University of Memphis (2018). Choregraphing a ballet piece for the 80th Coronation of Miss Alabama State University (2019). ASU Coronation Organization Queen "Miss W.E.B. DubBois" representing the Honors Program (2019). Participating in the annual ASU's Honors Day Convocation for the last three year with a 3.96 GPA.

Over the past four years I had the opportunity to participate in several stage performances selected by guest artist for Alabama State University's Annual Fall and Spring Dance Concerts with some to the greatest renowned guest artist such as: Regina Metayer (Montgomery Ballet Company Member), Anthony Burrell (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Philidanco), TereLyn Jones (Dancer-Performer, Aerialist, Actress, Instructor and Choreographer Atlanta Georgia), and Lawrence Jackson (Associate Professor at University of Alabama).

Participating in the Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance (IABD) has afforded me in the opportunity to receive numerous of invites and scholarships from various prominent dance companies to broaden my dance training by participating in Summer Intensive Programs such as: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Summer Intensive Program in Denver, CO (2018) and Dissonance Dance Theatre Washington DC (2019).

I am so grateful for the inspiration of the former Dean Dr. Tommie Stewart's (Pop Culture & Hollywood Actress) vision for bringing dance to the forefront of Alabama State University.  I am so appreciative for the astonishing experiences with the dynamic Dance Department Instructors and fellow colleagues for granting me the opportunity to be a part of this ASU family!

Upon graduation May 2020, I plan to obtain a position with a renowned Professional Dance Company.