February 19, 2015

Arts in the Workplace, Classes & Workshops, How the Arts Influence Business

Is Saying “No” Holding You Back?

Corporate wellness company, Maroto Fitness, was curious about the concept of ‘improv at work,’ so they brought us in for a workshop on Valentine’s Day. Improv facilitator Tioni Collins was absolutely awesome, and the scene work was hilarious AND educational. …

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Tags: 99u.com, art works, better communicator, better listener, breaking out of comfort zones, collaboration, comfort zone, communication, creativity, custom workshops, Facing Fears, finding inspiration, HR benefits, idea execution, improv, improv for business professionals, inspiration, intro to improv workshop, public speaking, scene work, Tioni Collins, workplace culture, workplacewellness, workshops, YesAnd

January 17, 2015

Inspiration, What Art Means to You

Through the Arts, All Things are Possible

On Thursday, January 15, I crossed an artistic experience off my bucket list–I performed a monologue in front of an audience and faculty at Studio Theatre-Acting Conservatory! This was an exhilarating experience, which wrapped up a 15-week Actor’s Process class with Colette Yglesias …

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Tags: Actor's Process, Arts empowerment, breaking out of comfort zones, bucket list, community, D.C., Do it Anyway, Facing Fears, monologues, scene partner, stimulus response, Studio Theatre, Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, Washington

November 13, 2014

Classes & Workshops, Inspiration

Do You Know Your Prime Creating Conditions?

On Monday, I had the pleasure of participating in Creative Colony’s Creative Boost series, and presented on Ways to Find Inspiration When You’re Drawing a Blank. I encouraged the audience to look for small and big sources of inspiration that …

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Tags: 99u.com, breaking out of comfort zones, collaboration, comfort zone, Creative Boost, Creative Colony, Creative Processes, creativity, Daily Routines, Early bird, finding inspiration, Ideas, improv, improv for business professionals, Maryland, musical prompts, Night Owl, Silver Spring, The 4-Hour Work Week, the artfullness project, Tim Ferris, Toni Morrison, Urban Artistry

November 6, 2014

Events, Inspiration

Creative Boost on Ways to Find Inspiration, (11/10)

Creativity is an ongoing process, and looks different for everyone. How tuned in are you to specific scenarios/activities/time of day/ and other factors that trigger inspired moments for YOU? Please join me on Monday, Nov. 10 at 9:30am for a …

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Tags: African Dance, breaking out of comfort zones, community, Creative Boost, Creative Colony, Creative Processes, creative triggers, creativity, dance, finding inspiration, inspiration, Jacqueline Lara, Maryland, movement, rituals, Silver Spring, the artfullness project

October 16, 2014

Classes & Workshops, Events, Inspiration

DeMystify Mind Mapping During Creativity Workshop, (10/29)

We’re excited to partner with Chimere Becote, Design+Applied Anthropologist & Founder+Principal of Polaris Design for this Creative Mind Mapping workshop on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 from 10am -1pm at Creative Colony in Silver Spring, MD. Description: Creative Confidence–it’s a feeling …

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Tags: arts integration, breaking out of comfort zones, Chimere Becote, comfort zone, Creative Colony, Creative Confidence, Creativitiy, D.C., design thinking, embracing failure, entrepreneurs, experiential learning, Idea generation, ideation, improv, improv for business professionals, inspiration, interdisciplinary, Jacqueline Lara, Maryland, Mind-Mapping, movement, passion, Polaris Design, prototyping, service design, Silver Spring, the artfullness project, workshop

January 10, 2014

Culture, Inspiration

Why the Arts are the Answer to Saving Our Youth

  As a native East African born in Uganda and raised in the U.S., I can decisively say that the arts laid a solid foundation for the strong sense of identity and self confidence I have developed as an adult. …

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Tags: breaking out of comfort zones, celebration, East African dance, empowerment, Uganda

Mind Mapping groupwork

Nanda Abella explaining improv at Creative Colony

Group presents mind map for product design

Improv participant gesturing at Creative Colony

West African Dance Class

Group presentation during mind mapping workshop

Brown Girls Burlesque

West African Dance Class

Improv participant gesturing at Creative Colony

Participants mind map solution to improve service experience

West African Dance Class

Improv at PunchRock Group Photo

Another group creates mind map to improve service experience

January 9, 2014

Arts in the Workplace, Classes & Workshops, Events

Past Events

West African Dance Class March and April 2013 University of Maryland College Park, MD Brown Girls Burlesque Workshop Saturday, October 19, 2013 Dance Exchange Takoma Park, MD Improv Workshop for Creative Professionals  Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Creative Colony Silver Spring, MD Improv …

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Tags: breaking out of comfort zones, creativity, dance, empowerment, movement, West Africa, west african