ABBEY STELL
staff writer
Tonight in Smothers Theater is the opening night of Pepperdine’s 16th annual Dance in Flight (DIF) performance.
DIF participants began rehearsing their individual numbers, beginning in October. But for the past few weeks they have been coming together almost every day for several hours at a time, working hard to create and perfect a special and unique performance they are excited to share with guests.
Along with several traditional numbers, such as ballet, hula, hip-hop and jazz, this year’s show also features a few new numbers, including an Irish dance and a belly dance.
“In the past we’ve had an Irish dance, but it’s only been a duo,” said junior Cate Drummond. “This is the first time we’ll actually have an entire company perform it.”
Drummond will be performing in five numbers this year: ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, and belly dancing.
This is the largest company DIF has ever had participate, according to first-time performer junior Jordan Jarvis, who is dancing in the lyrical, modern and hip-hop numbers. Upon embarking with DIF, Jarvis was surprised at the number of talented female dancers on campus.
“Pepperdine has some of the most amazing female dancers,” Jarvis said. “I don’t know of a more amazing and committed group [of people] who aren’t even majoring in dance.”
There are several newcomers to DIF this year, while many veteran members are participating as well.
“Once they start, they can’t stop,” said senior dancer and choreographer Meg Archambault. “It kind of sucks you in.”
Archambault has been involved with DIF for three years and will be performing in five different numbers, including a tap/funk piece she choreographed herself.
Another interesting aspect of this year’s show is that it will have the largest number of male dancers ever to perform in DIF.
“That’s rare, most guys don’t try out,” Archambault said.
Junior Robbieana Leung will be performing for the first time with DIF in the hula number. Leung, who lived in Hawaii for two years, says the hula is a unique dance because it’s very “symbolic through the actions. It’s a story being told through song and dance; every movement portrays the words of the song.”
Still, Leung is “equally impressed by all of the dances,” and wishes she could be a part of all of them, as do many other participants. Jonathan Conway, a freshman and first-year participant, has realized with his experience in the program that “there are so many more aspects of dance.”
“I’ve always done hip-hop but that’s just a minor skill of what it takes to be a good dancer,” Conway said.
Conway also asserts that because of the variety of dances in the show, “anybody can come.”
“It has every kind of dance,” said junior Brittany Burns. “It’s all different cultures coming together — it’s a good expression of how everyone feels.”
Burns, another first-year dancer with DIF, said the most rewarding aspect for her is how it has allowed her to become “close-knit” with the people she works with.
“It’s really like home.” Burns said. “I love going to practice and seeing everybody.”
Jarvis said the most rewarding thing for him has been the friendships he has made, and seeing his peers choreograph something that means so much to them, and then casting members who can find meaning in it for themselves.
“It’s good to get the support of your friends and family in something that you’re passionate about,” Archambault said. “We’ve worked really hard … it’s blood, sweat and tears — literally. But it’s all definitely worth it.”
Tickets have been selling since June 4th and are going quickly. The shows are sure to sell out, so students should buy tickets as soon as possible.
02-07-2008
