The Windmill Arts Center hosted a captivating performance titled Iris, featuring the 2025 ImmerseATL Artist Program cohort. As the lights dimmed and the atmosphere filled with curious silence, the participants presented their creative explorations under the guidance of director Sarah Hillmer and her collaborative co-educators, Anna Bracewell and George Staib.
The immersive experience began with Jazmyn Wright’s spirited entrance as she initiated the show with a handheld spotlight, cheerfully stating, “Hello, I’m Jazmyn Wright, and I’m here to audition for America’s Got Talent. I can sing. I can dance. What do you want me to do? I can do it all!”
Behind her, fellow dancer Georgia Rood led other program participants as they navigated the stage, further immersing the audience in the unfolding narrative.
The performance marked the culmination of a seven-week intensive aimed at acclimating emerging dancers to Atlanta’s contemporary dance environment, making it a significant moment for the seven young artists involved.
Hillmer founded ImmerseATL in 2017 to offer dancers opportunities beyond conventional pathways to success, which often involve joining established companies directly out of high school and advancing through ranks.
“The people making change in the world are many times not those who follow a cookie cutter pathway, and the same is true for dance,” Hillmer observed.
Despite the vibrant artistic scene in Atlanta, many dancers face unique challenges, often piecing together a professional life through a mix of part-time jobs, project engagements, and other employment outside the arts.
Angela Harris, director of Dance Canvas, noted that many emerging artists trained in Atlanta tend to migrate to larger markets like New York or Los Angeles for more lucrative opportunities, often leaving behind a city that struggles with funding for the arts.
Georgia’s funding for the arts matched with Wisconsin at the lowest level in the country in 2023, allocating a mere 14 cents per capita to the arts unlike surrounding states that invest significantly more.
In reaction to these circumstances, Hillmer redesigned the ImmerseATL program, condensing the traditional eight-month season into a focused seven-week summer intensive.
This structure allows participants to gain exposure and experience during a pivotal transitional phase in their lives, alleviating financial uncertainties following their college graduation.
Among the current cohort, notable members include KSU graduates Autumn and Skie Justice, along with Amber Solana, Grace Darden, and Zoe Otto, all navigating their artistic paths amid academic commitments.
Wright and Rood have shared insights about the impact of the program on their artistic journeys.
For many participants, ImmerseATL serves as a platform for exploring autonomy in their careers and redefining success on their own terms.
As the Justice twins prepare for their careers in health sciences while pursuing dance, Solana and Darden are strategically double-majoring, striving to balance their artistic ambitions with other professional pursuits.
As Skie Justice noted, “It was so validating to hear from our guides that it’s okay to do something else. If anything, it’s encouraged.”
This shift in perspective fosters a supportive environment conducive to growth and exploration, allowing participants to cultivate their artistry without compromising their aspirations for stability in other fields.
Wright hopes to explore opportunities in dance across multiple cities, while Rood is eagerly anticipating her return to Atlanta to launch her choreographic career, citing the program as transformative in her approach to creativity.
Throughout Iris, the dancers vividly articulated their journey through various routines that showcased their individual strengths and encouraged audience engagement, embodying the lessons learned during their time in the ImmerseATL program.
Rood’s leadership in the performance spectrum exhibited both a distinct voice and innovative movement vocabulary, resonating with the collaborative spirit central to the ImmerseATL ethos.
Although audiences may wait to see members of the 2025 cohort perform again soon, alumni from previous ImmerseATL programs are actively contributing to Atlanta’s vibrant dance community.
Raianna Brown, founder and director of Komansé Dance Theater, recently premiered a new work in Atlanta, while other alumni such as Knudson and Collins continue to push artistic boundaries through their various projects and collaborations.
Through initiatives like ImmerseATL, Hillmer is fostering an environment where young artists can explore the unique pathways in Atlanta’s contemporary dance scene, supporting their determination to craft a fulfilling career amidst the challenges they face.
Ultimately, the work from this year’s ImmerseATL Artist Program cohort indicates a promising future for contemporary dance in Atlanta, where innovation, collaboration, and creativity thrive in unexpected forms.
image source from：artsatl
