Pep dance company electrifies Smothers

Karin Sabin
Staff Writer

Ben Young / Photo Editor

The high-energy dance extraordinaire Dance in Flight is putting on its annual show where, this year, there truly is something for everybody.

Performances, which are tonight and tomorrow night at 8 in Smothers Theatre, showcase dance genres ranging from modern, tap, can-can, Tahitian and hip-hop to ballet, jazz, lyrical, country western and martial arts.

Because of last year’s popularity, Dance in Flight has increased the number of performances, beginning Wednesday night this year. Tickets cost $15 or $10 for Pepperdine students with an ID card.

DIF is a dance company in its 11th year at Pepperdine that allows dancers and choreographers to cultivate their talents and creativity in a professional atmosphere. There are 63 dancers and 18 choreographers in the company. This year’s show features 16 musical numbers, culminating in a finale with all 63 dancers on stage. The student dancers come from a variety of backgrounds and majors and range from freshmen to seniors.

To prepare for the show, the students have rehearsed and trained every weekend since September, mentored by Bill Szobody, adjunct faculty for theater and director of Dance in Flight.

Ben Young / Photo Editor

“The show is all about diversity and high energy,” Szobody said. “It’s fast-moving and diverse, with ballet followed by hip-hop. J.S. Bach plays one minute and the next is Usher.”

Szobody began dancing professionally after high school, moving to Chicago to study with Gus Giordano and later training at Louconte School. During his career, Szobody danced with Dancescape, a professional modern company, and on Broadway, performed in the original production of the revival of “Cabaret,” among others. Now in his second year at Pepperdine, Szobody also choreographs school musicals, like this year’s “The Music Man.”

“I am very proud to present the works of 15 student choreographers who have dedicated their time in the middle of their academic studies to create a wonderfully diverse show,” Szobody said.

So what does it take to be a dancer in Dance in Flight?

“Passion and a desire to dance,” Szobody said. “With a little technique thrown in.”

Despite having plenty of “passion and desire” to dance, the company still faces some challenges.

“It’s really hard to find rehearsal space,” Szobody explained. “Also, other faculty members don’t take dance seriously. They think it’s a club or an extracurricular, but it’s not. We’re a company.”

Emily Merrell, a senior advertising major, said she got involved with DIF because dance is her passion. Merrell has been a part of the company for all four years at Pepperdine.

“I love being able to express myself,” Merrell said. “Dance allows you to let all your emotions out and vent.”

This year, Merrell is the lyrical-dance choreographer, designing the five-person dance to “Skin” by Beth Hart.

“Lyrical dance allows you to express yourself,” Merrell said. “It’s very passionate and emotional.”

Merrell’s DIF resume includes performances in the jazz, hip-hop, country-western, lyrical and finale dances.

Senior Annabel Day said she dances because she enjoys “making funny faces at the audience.” The liberal arts major, who serves as the Inter-Club Council representative for DIF, is the company’s primary spokesperson.

She also choreographed the country line dance this year, marking her first year as a choreographer.

“Choreographing was a big leadership role for me,” Day said. “I’m in charge of 17 dancers, responsible for costumes, practice times, everything.”

Dancing has always been a part of Day’s life since the age of 3, she said. Since no dance major is offered at Pepperdine, Day said she saw DIF as the only outlet to dance, and an enjoyable one at that.

“It’s a great way to make new friends, participate in performance and express yourself,” Day said.

Day said she is most excited about the swing number she will perform in during the show. Five couples do flips, turns and tricks dressed in military suits and 1940s-style dresses.

“Dance is exhilarating and fulfilling,” Day said. “It’s a positive way to release energy, and I love to perform and share talents.”

Megan Norris, a senior theater arts major, said dance is a form of free expression.

Now in her third year with the company, Norris said she sees it as “a fun way to get together, meet new friends and, when things are hectic, it’s a nice outlet to dance on weekends.”

Norris choreographed the hokey-pokey dance, a number she describes as “a goofy and fun remix of the hokey pokey in an all-girl hip-hop dance.”

Szobody said he encourages everyone to come out and see their fellow students in the DIF performance.

“You might be eating lunch in the cafeteria next to dancers and have no idea how talented they are,” Szobody said. “You’ll come out of it saying, ‘Wow, I had no idea we had this talent at Pepperdine.’ And you will come to appreciate and broaden your knowledge of the arts.”

In addition to the annual performance, two additional special performances are scheduled for school children brought to Smothers Theatre by the Center for the Arts Guild. The field trip includes a question-and-answer session with the dancers and choreographers after a full performance of the show.

“DIF proudly participates in this program in the hope that it spreads knowledge, creativity and inspiration to young people,” Szobody said.

Norris said she finds that the kids program can have far-reaching effects on audiences, too.

“The kids are entertained, but even more importantly, it shows them that when they grow up, they can do that and pursue it in college,” Norris said.

For more information about Dance in Flight call the Center for the Arts box office at ext. 4522.

02-10-2005