Shannon's Day and Our First Dancer Profile!

Today we belonged exclusively to Shannon West in the studio. She gave us ballet class and then we worked on Shannon's all-female piece followed by a pas de trois she is setting on Chris, Noelle, and Fernando. Fun and productive! One of Columbia's favorite artists, Frank Stack, also visited us in the afternoon for some sketching time.

As promised, the first in a series of Dancer Profiles! Today's dancer is Christopher Benjamin, 2nd year company member with MCB.

Full name: Christopher Anthony Benjamin (Topher)

Age: 23

Hometown: Hannibal, Missouri

College and location: Stephens College / Columbia, Missouri

Favorite TV show: So You Think You Can Dance

Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing

Favorite book: Twilight

Most visited website: Facebook

Favorite places in Columbia: ZA=Shakespeare's, Drinks=Quinton's, Coffee=Starbucks, Place I always take my family=Flat Branch, Sushi=Sake, Italian=The Pasta Factory, Ice Cream=Sparky's

Three words to describe how you feel about this year with MCB?: Excited/Anxious/New

Biggest influence in your life: Dance is the biggest influence in my life. It has made me who I am today and I feel lost when I'm not dancing.

If you could invite anyone to dinner, living or deceased, who would it be and why?: My grandfather because and I never got to meet him. He passed away right before I was born.

Favorite indulgence: Mexican food and ice cream are my favorite indulgences. I could not live without them and could survive on nothing but...

Craziest moment onstage: Ripping my pants on stage. (It has happened more than once!!)

What do you like to do in your free time?: I absolutely LOVE going to the movie theater! If I didn't love mexican food and ice cream so much it would probably be my favorite indulgence!!

Words to live by?: My favorite quote is; "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." I really believe that you shouldn't ever try to be who other people want you to be. You should always be yourself and nothing else. I always get along with people that are genuine.