This is Kirsten! She is a senior English major with a minor in Film Studies, and she specializes in PR for the Aquadome. Her first experience with the ‘dome was peeking into the windows during her first Truman visit and then going to an open mic night during her first week as a freshman (with a handful of other future Aqua Exec members). Her favorite part of the Aquadome is its pure dedication to both the arts as well as to the beautiful people and communities who thrive thanks to the arts. She sees the ‘dome as a radically special place for fostering friendship, expression, and joy, and she feels quite lucky to be able to be a part of it all. Bonus: she can/will beat you in Super Monkey Ball.

This is Ollie! She is a senior English and Elementary Education double major. Her first experience with the Aqudome was reading her poetry at open mics where she immediately felt the good vibes of the ‘dome. Her favorite part of the Aquadome is how it’s a space for everyone to come together and share their art. Bonus: she is the last remaining Vine star.

This is Josh! He is a senior Psychology the current Aquadome the President. His first experience with the ‘dome was performing at an open mic the first week of his freshman year. Josh’s favorite part of the Aquadome is the open-hearted acceptance of everyone, and it’s very important to him how it’s a space where people are free to express themselves fully. Bonus: he loves making music!

 This is Natalie! She specializes in PR and merch production for the ‘dome, and she’s a senior Creative Writing major with a minor in Fibers. She first visited the ‘dome during Truman week of her freshman year for an open mic night with Kirsten, Josh, TJ, and a few others, and the rest was history. Her favorite part of the Aquadome is the ripple effect of art inspiring more art and all of the beautiful connections made because of that ripple effect. Bonus: she’s a left-handed ~emroiderholic~ 🙂

This is Thomas! He is a senior history major. His first experience with the Aquadome was through TruSlam events back in the mystic days of 2014, when Obama was still president and the ‘dome was in a building with more than one floor. Thomas’s favorite thing about the Aquadome is its sense of community. He loves how everyone who comes to the dome, even semi-regularly, is considered a friend of the organization — everyone’s welcome at any time, at any event. Bonus: he once hiked for four hours on a Moroccan mountain and spent the next three on a bathroom floor dying of dehydration.

This is Blake! He is a Junior Computer Science and Business Administration double major, and he helps the ‘dome keep our numbers straight. He first got involved with the Aquadome because he loves music and wanted to support a local non-profit venue. Blake’s favorite part of the Aquadome is the visiting artists. He has great admiration for them and the art and perspectives they share. Bonus: he has a pet turtle named Lovely.

This is Scout! She is a sophomore Psychology major, and this semester she has started a series of art workshops at the Aquadome. Her first experience with the ‘dome was coming to a show with Jackie (another fantastic member of the Exec Board), and she soon decided that she wanted to join the board as well. Scout’s favorite part about the Aquadome is that we are a community that is very open and easy to get involved with. She considers the ‘dome to be a safe space to explore being “authentically you”, and she loves that it’s a great place to get experience planning events and running a non-profit. She also appreciates that even if you don’t want to get very involved, it is still nice to come to events and be with others that appreciate art, music, poetry, and the works. Bonus: she has seen a sloth give birth.

This is Maple! She is a sophomore Biology major, and this is her first semester on Aqua Exec! Her first experience at the ‘dome was going to shows her freshman year and automatically loving the sense of community and acceptance she felt. She had friends who got involved with the ‘dome first, and after witnessing how they believed in the Aquadome so much that they were willing to do pretty much anything for it, Maple ended up getting involved herself, and she is excited to share that same passion. Her favorite part of the Aquadome is walking into any given event and seeing people from all different areas of life coming together to celebrate music and the arts! Bonus: she was once in a kazoo cover band, The Kazooligans.

This is Ethan! He is a sophomore Political Science major, and he is new to the Aqua Exec Board this semester. His first experience with the ‘dome was coming to open mic nights where he immediately loved the atmosphere and wanted to become a part of the community. His favorite part of the Aquadome is still open mic nights because they are such a fun time and have a special place in his heart. Bonus: he is a metal vocalist and he wants to write a book on political philosophy.

This is Colton! He is a junior Communications major, and he joined the Aqua Exec Board this semester. His first experience with the ‘dome was when a philanthropy event for his fraternity was rained out and needed a home, and the event converged with an open mic at the Aquadome. He was so blown away by the aesthetic and feel of the place that he continued coming to shows and even wrote a news story about us for one of his classes. His favorite part about the Aquadome is its unique atmosphere and personality. Bonus: he spins poi, which are snazzy glowing lights.

This is Marissa! She is a sophomore Agricultural Science and Biology double major with a minor in East Asian Studies, and this is her first semester on the Aqua Exec Board. Her first experience with the Aquadome was attending an event with Jackie. Marissa’s favorite part about the ‘dome is the great community where anyone can be themselves and express who they are. The main reason she wanted to join the Exec Board was to help other people have the same opportunity to find the Aquadome and to have it become a good place for them, too. Bonus: she rides horses, and she is on the Truman equestrian team!

This is Dennis, one of the Aqua Exec Board’s longest-serving members! He is a Kirksville resident who has studied web/graphic design. Some of his first experiences with the Aquadome were performing at open mic nights and helping paint the floors of the ‘dome’s original building (r.i.p. <3) His favorite part about the Aquadome is the companionship. Bonus: he likes to build stuff.

This is Adam! He is a junior Computer Science major with minors in Jazz Studies and Psychology, and this is his first semester on the Aqua Exec Board where he keeps our website looking spiffy. His first experience with the ‘dome was a show he attended thanks to a recommendation from his friend Josh who was active in the DIY scene in St. Louis. Later, Adam realized he wanted to be more involved with the Aquadome and began going to more and more events until he ended up on the Board. His favorite part of the ‘dome is the open mic nights because they’re really casual and have a variety of performers and fun people. Bonus: he owns over 20 board games and he is currently working on designing one of his own!

This is Caroline! She is a junior(ish) Communications major with a Business minor, and this is her first semester on the Aqua Exec Board. Her first experience with the ‘dome was coming to shows her sophomore year where she really enjoyed the sense of community. Additionally, she sees herself doing something with music as a career, so joining the Aquadome felt like a natural step to her. Caroline’s favorite part of the ‘dome is being able to meet people with a huge variety of interests who are united by their passion for art in all of its forms. Bonus: she has been a card-carrying licensed boater for 7 years, but she has never once driven a boat.

This is Ella! She is a sophomore English and Sociology double major, and she has minors in Art and Psychology. She is new to the Aqua Exec Board this semester, and her first experience with the ‘dome was through an Aqua event hosted by TruSlam, Truman’s slam poetry group. Ella’s favorite part about the Aquadome is its magnetism for fascinating humans. Bonus: she once ate a guava whilst zip-lining in Maui!

This is Jackie! She is a junior Computer Science major. Before joining the Aqua Exec Board, she had volunteered at a similar venue in St. Louis called the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center, and when she came to Kirksville she wanted to be around that similar DIY vibe again. After attending her first Aqua show — Finals Fever Reliever her freshman year — she decided she was going to be a part of the magic and showed up to the next meeting! Her favorite part of the ‘dome is the sense of possibility that it lends to anyone and everyone that walks through its doors. Bonus: !!!