We were lucky to catch up with Alyseia Darby recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alyseia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

The most innovative thing I have done in my career is combining my love of dance w/ my love of aerial. I have been dancing for about 20 years & I started aerial about 11 years ago. When I first started learning aerial, I had to spend lots of time growing in strength as well as aesthetic. Finding poses & utilizing my lines was more or less natural, so that was extremely helpful hopping into this new world. A couple years ago, I began performing my pointe work with flying aerial silks. It was definitely an adjustment because it required lots of stamina. It’s like getting two different workouts in at the same time. The results were astonishing. I have to give a big shoutout to my amazing mentor & aerial trainer Veronica Blair for coaching me through this process!

Alyseia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I decided that I wanted to dance professionally when I became a teenager. I worked my ass off in high school attending extra classes, attending intensives & eventually auditioned to attend NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) half day during my senior year. That transition was life-changing. It gave me the push I needed.

I got my first dance company contract at 17 years old with Of Moving Colors in Baton Rouge, LA. I auditioned during the fall semester of my freshman year at Louisiana State University. That was a huge accomplishment & I stayed with the company for about 4.5-5 years. I learned so much about what it meant to work in an ensemble.

I had become such a yes girl in college. I constantly kept myself busy training & performing in various shows including back up dancing for singers & musicals.

Performing is my way of sharing my love & my passion. I have so much fun & I’m so grateful when I get to bless any space or stage with my art craft.

Since the beginning of my career, I’ve always kept an open mind when it comes to different opportunities.

During college, I performed in multiple New Venture Theatre Productions like “Color Purple,” as well as Debbie Allen productions “All The Right Moves” and “Derek’s Song.” Terry Beeman was one of Debbie Allen’s choreographers. He actually introduced me to aerial during my first residency & I was able to do workshops with him.

I moved to Atlanta in 2016 to further my career. I joined Element Circus Troupe, founded & directed by Derrin Moore, and Atlanta Dance Connection, founded & directed by Allyne D. Gartrell and LeVon “Mr. C” Campbell. I am still apart of these amazing organizations. I’ve also taken time to explore different contracts including performing in productions for Royal Caribbean ‘Vision of the Seas’ and performing as a solo aerial ballerina for UniverSoul Circus (this is where I performed my pointe & flying aerial silks routine as shown in the first photo).

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2018, I had bunionectomies on both feet at the same time. I had never had surgery before & I was TERRIFIED. Bunions are hereditary in my family & my mom would ask me time after time if I wanted to have them removed but I was never in pain until I hit my early 20s.

Pins were inserted into my toes, and I was in a wheelchair for several months. I moved home to my mom’s house in New Orleans during recovery so I could have extra help from family.

Physical therapy was TOUGH. I had to learn how to walk again. And all I could think about was dancing. After a few months of PT, I started doing ballet barre again but I had to wear jazz sneakers for a while for support.

One downside from the operation is that I lost some range in my big toes, so my relèvé (rising up to the toes) isn’t as high as it used to be. I’m continuing to push through. It was quite painful at first but now I’ve started to learn more about my body in general. Working out to engage & strengthen different muscle groups has also been very beneficial.

About 1 year later, I started doing pointe again. That was one of my big post-op goals. It’s still a journey & I couldn’t more grateful. It’s taught me so much patience and I’m stronger than ever..

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think what helped to build my reputation was my level of tenacity & professionalism. I was always very shy growing up but performing gave me an alter ego. And I always aim to put my best foot forward & make good of any situation. I’d like to be remembered well; I want people to remember how I made them feel & that I did my job well.

Dance taught me great discipline & has boosted my confidence. It’s allowed me to shine in all areas of my life, and sometimes that’s just simply about you how show up. I put effort into my appearance. One of my mottos is, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” My work ethic is very important to me.

When I take class, I pretend like I’m on stage. I practice how I want to perform. I can be a bit of a perfectionist at times, but I’m learning to breathe more, take risks & allow room for growth as well as mistakes. It’s the same in life. I think about how I can translate all the same thoughts into my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: alyseiadarby.com
• Instagram: @lese_babe
• Facebook: Alyseia Moné Darby
• Youtube: @alyseiadarby6287
• Other: “Humbled Beginnings of a Withering Flower” :a poetic diary written by Alyseia Moné Darby www.etsy.com/shop/PoeticDiaries

Image Credits
Pilla Photos Kyle Bradley Paul Marcus Photos Blue Teel Innovations Fluid Frames TX