PROFile: Advancing through movement
Zorya Arrow, instructor, Department of Theatre and Film, U of W
Photo by Keeley Braunstein-Black 
Currently, their classes are a blended format between in-person and Zoom. The divided attention from juggling multiple stimuli has been a challenge.
“The first week has been wild. I have two students in the room with me on a rotation,” Arrow says. “There is still this feeling of being there together and exploring movement, being curious about it and having fun.”
Arrow was always interested in both movement and theatre. She went directly from high school to the professional program at the School of Contemporary Dancers in a joint program with the U of W.
“When I was studying, I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to go into. I tried to do both. The honours programs are pretty intensive, and I had to pick,” Arrow says.
After receiving a degree in dance with a minor in theatre and film, she completed independent training and workshops, melding the two practices.
They started making work while in school by creating and performing at fundraisers, as well as community and arts events.
Arrow has found her niche and enjoys teaching within it.
“I think it’s the perfect fit,” they say. “Movement with actors and working physical bodies but also engaging emotional spaces I find really exciting.”
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What is your favourite thing about your job?
“I love being in a room and exploring movement with people.”
What is something you’ve learned from your students?
“Engagement of learning, curiosity and question-asking is such an exciting place for me, and it helps me grow as an artist and teacher.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I love to see the people that I love.”
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
“I feel like flying might be low-impact to the people around me and feel so lovely.”
If you could dance in any performance, what would it be?
“With this ability to fly, doing some wild sky show or something.”
Published in Volume 76, Number 15 of The Uniter (January 27, 2022)
