Rika Yotsumoto ’18
Dance major looked at bodies in motion.
Hometown: Munich, Germany
Thesis advisor: Prof. Victoria Fortuna [dance 2015–]
Thesis: meat of the matter
What it's about: My thesis is a choreographic reinscription of the oneiric experience, as corporeal consciousness viscerally perceived through the lacking body in dream, onto the waking living body.
What it’s really about: Bodies, bodies, bodies. Running bodies, sweating bodies, living bodies.
Cool stuff I did: I became a barista, got into kickboxing, and got to know some amazing dance artists.
Influential book: Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault.
Concept that blew my mind: How discreetly people waste $$$.
Favorite professors: Mariela Szwarcberg Daby [political science 2012–]! The Idea of the State with Peter Steinberger [political science 1977–]! His class was exactly the way I hoped all classes at Reed would be like. I greatly enjoyed the Tragedies of American Diplomacy with Josh Howe [history 2012–]. Jan Mieszkowski [German 1997–]! I almost made a Twitter account just to follow him. Catherine Witt [French 2005–]! Hugh Hochman [French 1999–]!
How Reed changed me: I have felt many intellectual and emotional challenges during my time here and feel that I have grown and learned a lot from that.
What's Next: Sleep and hydrate, binge watch The Office.
Awards, fellowships, grants: Mellon grant for winter/summer opportunities in dance, Career Advancement Fund, Opportunity Grant, Initiative Grant.
Desired superpower: Flying.
Actual superpower: Falling.
Pet peeve: Putting in milk before the powder for cocoa drink.