" ...a disturbingly beautiful solo by the captivating and long-limbed Jessica Thomas. She hypnotized us with her unfaltering gaze, at times jerky movement and moments of statue-stillness. When she gulped for breath you could physically see it radiate throughout her entire body. Her movements weren’t guided by gestures and storylines, but by some deeper need to move. This need had her running, tripping, falling, and then freezing in some contorted pose. It seemed as if time stood still as she slowly uncurled one toe at a time after a back shoulder roll. The recycling instrumental recording she used only added to the hypnotic mood." ~Kddance 

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"There is something to be said about a solo danced almost entirely in silence—it creates immediate suspense.  It certainly worked that way for Jessica Thomas in Heima. She first appears near the rear of the stage, clad in baggy dark grey pants and two layers of shirts, one hand to her chest. Her face is not made up, her hair slides down over her eyes, but it is her gaze, steady and concentrated, that is at the heart and soul of the dance. She makes simple gestures like tilting her head back, or sliding a hand over her chest, then rests by holding a pose and looking steadily forward. She is involved in some private, emotional exploration that we are witnessing from a distance, fascinated and with respect. From time to time she pitches forward or whirls around with a sudden burst of energy, only to gather herself and repeat the earlier gestures."   ~Theatre Jones

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"...a visceral piece that offered beautiful moments of imagery. In one moment Thomas lies on her back with her head and limbs floating above her, moving as weightless as seaweed swaying gently at the bottom of the sea. Suddenly the waters turn rough and her movements become more violent, yet not at the sake of grace. In another moment nearer to the end of the piece, she stands facing the audience opening and closing her mouth as a direct reaction of her gut (literally)."   ~Julia Huddleston

 

"Thomas’ choreography is nothing less than organic, and as a performer, she gives 100 percent of herself to her audience. While the motivation behind the work as a whole may not be crystal clear to the audience, there is no denying that each movement has its place in her body, on the stage, and in that moment. One audience member said that she felt as though she were taking the journey with the dancer, feeling each movement. For others, it was like being a voyeur, watching with guilt at the very private moments of this individual."   ~Theatre Jones

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"Thomas' Heima, performed mostly without music, was the night's most intense offering, though the dancer-choreographer has added more colors to her inwardly turning signature piece. Heima was distinguished by awkward upper body contortions as Thomas created an almost anti-dance." ~Dallas Morning News

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"The most entertaining musical performance award goes to David Bacon in his collaborations with dancer Jessica Thomas. As Thomas ran, skipped, hopped, and shook, Bacon cracked glowsticks, ripped paper, and even bounced on a mini trampoline for their collaborations in Chance Divided by 2 - #1 and Chance Divided by 2- #2. Their whimsical partnership provoked a bundle of comedic exchanges and lighthearted play." ~Theatre Jones

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