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Marlies Yearby Highlight
About Marlies
- Originally studied biology; never really felt a passion for it, but it "made sense" in the narrative of "you need to find a sensible career."
- Took a dance class near the end of her first year and says "that was it," suddenly her schedule was packed full of dance classes.
- She kept her major set as biological sciences to have a safety net, until finally the college said, "What are you doing? You're taking all dance classes."
- Once she switched majors, she started doing professional dance and choreography work outside of class.
- Eventually, she was doing so well that she started missing classes; her college urged her to take some time off to pursue dance in earnest.
- She moved to New York and worked harder than she'd ever worked; got invited to send in a choreography submission for "Rent".
- Even though she was exhausted, and her time in New York had drained her, when "Rent" called her back, she refused to pass up the opportunity.
- In 1996, her choreography for "Rent" was nominated for a Tony Award.