Filming Guggenheim Fellow and Dance Choreographer, Liz Lerman
(“A Visionary Artist, Choreographer, Writer & Educator”)
Summer, 2025 | New York, New York
Working with the Liz Lerman Creative Team
Summer, 2025 – I had the incredible opportunity to join the Creative Team of globally recognized American dancer and choreographer, Liz Lerman, a Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award Recipient and Guggenheim Fellow. This opportunity took place in Long Island, New York and was in partnership with the Liz Lerman team and with the New York Theater Workshop (NYTW). Throughout the week, I would meet with the Creative Team, made up of the Creative Producer (Erin Donohue) and Stage Manager (Alex Nelson) and review daily tasks and check in at the end of each day. Throughout the day, I would film the rehearsal process including the notes that Lerman would provide the dancers as well as filming the dancers close up, for example I would physically be in the middle of the dancers as they moved around me. This allowed me to gain hands-on experience and to also be immersed in the dance itself.
Photo: Jamie with Liz Lerman, the Liz Lerman Creative Team and Dancers. Credit: The Liz Lerman Organization
The Content…
As the only video intern for the residency, I wanted to capture as many angles as possible. I used three forms of recording content for the team including the primary camera: a Panasonic camera used for capturing close up and wide angle shots for content that could be edited and published. Additionally, there was a small wide angle camera that was used for rehearsal and practice review. Finally, I used my iPhone 16 Pro Max for photos and video content. In total, all three of the cameras were used to record each rehearsal, performance and many conversations between the dancers and choreographer. As the week concluded, I reflected on the things I learned and the inclusivity I felt in the room, and the connections I made during the Residency. From the professional setting working with a Stage Manager outside of my academic program to working with creative producers and professional dancers, I am grateful for this incredible opportunity, especially to Liz, the Liz Lerman Creative Team, the New York Theater Workshop and to Adelphi University.
Photo: Jamie filming the Dancers from the Liz Lerman Organization. Credit: Jamie Knafel
The Final Product
In addition to the rehearsal videos for the Liz Lerman company, they requested a short film of their time in New York. In about a week, I created this edited piece showcasing their residency. (Click the Youtube icon on the video to enlarge).
Attending the 2025 United States Institute for Theater Technology & Entertainment
March, 2025 | Columbus, Ohio
Attending the 2025 United States Institute for Theater Technology & Entertainment
After Winning First Place Projections at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (See above article) I was one of eight students sent to United States Institute of Theater Technology and Entertainment (USITT) from the Kennedy Center and the only person from my college to attend USITT, I was honored to continue my experience in Ohio.
Attending USITT in Columbus, Ohio was an amazing opportunity where, at the Conference and Expo, I had the opportunity to take master classes from some of the biggest names in the entertainment world. From Disney Live Entertainment and Disney Cruise Line to lighting and media design companies. I was able to gain valuable experience while networking with professionals and attending live performances featuring some of the best production effects in the world.
Photo: Jamie stands in the 2025 USITT Convention Center. Credit: Jamie Knafel
Receiving First Place at the 2025 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
January, 2025 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Attending the 2025 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
In January of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel with a small group of student from Adelphi University to attend the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country. The festival gives students the opportunity to compete and showcase their work within different categories such as Acting, Musical Theater, and Design, Technology and Management.
My KCACTF Presentation
I competed in the Design, Technology and Management category and presented my Projections Design for Adelphi’s production of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information. My presentation consisted of a digital presentation, a trifold poster, and a verbal presentation to a large panel of judges. After a week of attending the festival and competing, I was honored by receiving First Place Projections Design. This award came with a full trip to attend the United States Institute of Theater Technology and Entertainment (USITT) in Ohio and where my design would be displayed at the conference. As one of eight students from the Kennedy Center and the only person from Adelphi to attend USITT, I was honored to receive this award from the Kennedy Center and to have the chance to continue my experience!
Photos: (1) Jamie holds his First Place Award at KCACTF. (2) Jamie after presenting his KCACTF presentation to judges. All Credit: Jamie Knafel