THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: O for Ladell "Mr. OCEAN" Thomas and Anabella Lopez OCHOA
Ladell “Mr. Ocean” Thomas
Biography
A Brooklyn-raised comedian and dancer who specializes in Popping and Waving, Ladell "Mr. Ocean" Thomas is also proficient at Dancehall and Hip Hop. Some of his mentors include Big Mike, Future Ninja and Chris “Shaik'' Mathis. He has danced with Illuminate dance company on TV and performed for/in Bill T. Jones, PBS’ Bare Feet with Mikaela Mallozzi, the NY Philharmonic Bandwagon, Lincoln Center's Restart Stages, Lincoln Center's Centrifugal Force with Buddha Stretch, and It’s Time For Hip Hop in NYC among others. A sought-after dance instructor, Ladell is particularly popular among his students in the art of Popping and Animation technique. As an actor and improvisational comedian, he draws the audience to dive into an ocean full of notes, emotions, and intensity. Follow him on Instagram at @mrocean87.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Natasha Diamond-Walker and headshot courtesy of the artist.
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Biography
A Colombian-Belgian choreographer who excels at narrative ballet, Anabelle Lopez Ochoa creates regularly within the dance field but also for theatre, opera, musical theatre, and dance films. She completed her dance education at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp and, since deciding to focus solely on choreography in 2003, has created works for 73 dance companies around the world. She is also frequently invited to teach, and held the position of Director of the Contemporary Classical Summer program of the School at Jacob’s Pillow for 3 years. During the pandemic of 2020, Lopez Ochoa pioneered remote choreography and premiered dance films online. A total of 23 short dance films are available to stream on her Vimeo page. Follow her on Instagram at @annabellelopezochoa.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Natasha Diamond-Walker and headshot courtesy of the artist.
What made you decide to enter this profession?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
My love for dance and movement, how it makes me feel, and how people react to me doing it is fulfilling beyond words.
Ochoa:
I speak 4 languages fluently, but dance is the only language in which I’m most comfortable and fluent.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
My mom. She was always hesitant about my decision to take dance more seriously, but has and always will support me and believe in my potential for greatness.
Ochoa:
The teachings of Buddhism have been the most life transforming for me.
I can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Food! I love food so much — it is my fuel and also my passion. Any food and desserts can make a rough day that much brighter.
Ochoa:
I can always rely on a chat with friends accompanied with a good glass of wine to cheer up. Or gin & tonic on Saturdays.
I practice self-care by __________.
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Resting. I am always on the go and getting injured, so I have started taking more time to let my body catch up to my training and work outs.
Ochoa:
Going to the gym every day and doing my 7-minute Pilates routine.
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
I want a pet because I love dogs and want to get one so badly. I will get a pomsky, as they are such adorable mini wolves.
Ochoa:
Unfortunately neither, because I’m never home, but one day I’m pretty sure I will have a chihuahua called Lola.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what is your favorite meal?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Cooking! I love making macaroni pie and stew chicken, a Caribbean favorite of mine growing up.
Ochoa:
Eating out. Wasabi and pesto are two flavors that make my palate dance with joy.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Glimpse the future, I want to know if people who do the robot can tricks robots in the future. Also, I'm fine living the past just once.
Ochoa:
The present is the only thing that is real and that I can control a bit. I have no attachment to the past, hence I forget names really quickly. Ouch!
I thrive when I am faced with the unknown, so please, don’t show me any glimpse of what is going to happen in my future.
What is your personal approach to handling challenging people or situations?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Patience and going with the flow. I think if you have two oppositions, no one gets anywhere. If you’re more mutable, it can help the situation greatly.
Ochoa:
1. Breathe.
2. Never take something personally, because everybody deals with their own demons and challenges.
3. Use humor and good spirit.
4. Vocalize with calmness and clarity, and respect your thoughts and needs. Explain why these are essential for you, and really listen to what the other brings to the conversation. Usually, fear and pain are at the root of a lot of arguments.
How has your personal life changed since the pandemic?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
I now work a job that I love and I get to dance and perform. It feels like a more harmonious life; before I was living in busy chaos.
Ochoa:
After five weeks of complete hiatus in which I enjoyed painting my entire home in the colors of the rainbow, I was back at work.
I was very busy during the pandemic, creating and editing dance films, choreographing dances through Zoom, and accepting the sacrifice of complete isolation for two weeks to be able to work in-person.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
My choices are more selective in the works that I want to be a part of, and there’s more of a desire to create my own opportunities.
Ochoa:
I realized two things: art (dance) exists when there is an exchange between a creator and a performer. Secondly, art is completed when there is a clear deadline. That’s when and why the final touches are brought to a work of choreography. Otherwise, artists keep tinkering, changing their minds, and fluffing around the final result.
The glance of the audience is what gives wings to the performer and focus to the artwork.
What is the last show you saw and loved?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Bob Fosse’s Dancin', a Broadway play with dance as the main focus!
Ochoa:
Anna Karenina from Yuri Possokhov performed by the Joffrey Ballet.
What is your pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) ritual?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Watching anime or videos that make me laugh, listening to epic music, and having a doughnut if it’s in the morning.
Ochoa:
None.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
The discovery of how people came up with the concept of the Pop in popping.
Ochoa:
May 29, 1913 for the so-called scandalous premiere of The Rite of Spring in Paris.
I have / have had the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Illuminate dance company and Krumping.
Ochoa:
Flamenco, salsa, and Hip Hop street dance.
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
I recommend The Artist's Way. It is a truly inspiring and motivational book that makes you do the work.
Ochoa:
Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
TV program: Any documentary
Podcast: I listen to The Daily by The New York Times when I’m at the gym. It’s good to be in touch with what is happening in the world and be informed about things outside of the dance bubble.
This city or country is the best place I have ever been to for art: __________.
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
New York. It thrives in so many ways. The cultures are expansive and inspiring.
Ochoa:
Hong Kong , London and Amsterdam.
Which social media app are you most drawn to?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Instagram. I can easily see dance battle footage, dancer opportunities that I wouldn’t see otherwise, and I get to repost funny or inspiring videos.
Ochoa:
Instagram.
What advice do you have for young people in your field?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
Be bold. Be different. Never stop for any reason and be expansive in your creativity.
Ochoa:
Be generous, persevere and commit. You might not see the results instantly, you might not be given the recognition immediately, but it all starts with feeling fulfilled about the hard work you put into your art and craft. Then the success will follow when you are ready and mature for it.
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
By presenting more opportunities to street dancers. I believe a lot of us are overlooked, but also that we have as much of a story to tell as any of the more privileged dancers.
Ochoa:
I believe there’s a platform for everybody. You might need to try different avenues to find that platform and environment that will appreciate your work.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
“Mr. Ocean” Thomas:
I feel like I spread it through my dancing. I always like to show how much I enjoy dance and I feel that people respond positively to that energy.
Ochoa:
I like to combine hard work with playfulness in the studio. Same with my works; I like to create dynamic dramatic stories with a touch of humor and lots of colorful visuals.
And so, on Instagram, I hope to share the vast beauty of what dance can be. I am aware that my work is just a tiny teeny droplet of what dance can offer, but I love being part of that community.
