About Daniel Jesse Kaplan
About Daniel Jesse Kaplan
About Daniel Jesse Kaplan
MY PUPPY
MY FRIENDS
MY SIBLINGS
MY PARENTS
Travel
In 2019 I was accepted to two internships in Morocco and in Greece. While out there I decided to take advantage of my location by solo backpacking around most of Europe. Now I'm one of those classic travel nuts.
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My Favorite Moments
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Being homeless in the UK for 2 days
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Waking up to the Korean Embassy knocking on my hostel door in Italy
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Couchsurfing with complete strangers in 8 different countries (feels good to be young and trusting)
Background
My ethnic background, much like my personality, is a chaotic mess. With ancestors descending from Iran, Poland, Afghanistan, Belarus, Israel, and Uzbekistan. I am the genetic manifestation of globalization.
Storytelling
I believe storytelling is all about the desire to better understand humanity. When we create a narrative centered around relatable characters, we are thrust into their reality and forced to accept their perspective. Most people in the world are driven by similar emotions - revealing this through narratives allows us to sympathize with people of all backgrounds.
Awards
Rebranding of 'Jiffy Pop'
Awarded 1st Place out of 15 teams by a panel of six NYC industry professionals for a marketing campaign designed to rebrand a real-life failing company.
Harman Playwriting Contest
Awarded 1st Place out of 25+ entries for "Best One-Act Play" by a Pulitzer Prize Finalist
College Honors
Provost Scholar, Magna Cum Laude
Lip Sync Battles (Baruch College)
2nd place - 2017, 2018
Some connoisseurs of the lip sync art form believe I was robbed of 1st place both years.
The Year of Covid
When all my goals and aspirations were put on hold because of Covid, I impulsively moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to work at a ski resort. It wasn't until I got to CO that I fully processed what should have already been a conscious realization - "I don't know how to ski. What am I doing here?" 2 years later and I struggle to imagine life without the anticipation of a crisp alpine breeze whipping my face on the slopes every winter.
Baking
Junior year of college was a stressful point in my life. I had moved away from my friends, I was overworking myself, and I remember it to be a particularly insufferable winter. One gloomy day when I was in need of some comfort, I had the spontaneous idea to bake a Challah bread. After watching a couple of YouTube tutorials, I was ready to give it a shot. During that first creation, I quickly fell in love with the transformative nature of baking. Kneading the dough. Watching your creation morph. It was all very cathartic.
danieljessekaplan@gmail.com | 609-731-7818