Dance in Flight appears in Smothers Feb. 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is predicted to be the most diverse Smothers has ever seen.
By Peter Celauro
Assistant A&E Editor
Smothers Theatre is nothing if not diverse. From piano concertos to vocal ensembles to theatrical productions, scarcely a day goes by that the venue doesn’t showcase some sort of artistic performance. Taking its vast and varied history into perspective, it could be said that Smothers has seen it all.
Next Thursday, however, the theatre may be in for a surprise. Boasting dance styles ranging from hip hop to ballet to Polish traditional folkdance, Dance in Flight’s “Freedom Is …” promises to be one of the single most diverse performances Smothers has ever held.
Dance in Flight began in 1991. At the time, Pepperdine had no dance program, nor was there a dance division offered by the Fine Arts Department. In the years since then, the non-profit organization has grown into something of an institution, with approximately 50 people participating in the annual performances.
“It started as a fairly small group, and now it’s large,” junior Mahogany Edwards said. “This year we had between 80 and 100 people audition.”
Sorting through the hopefuls was no small task. With 18 different numbers, deciding who would fit into each piece was time-consuming and strenuous.
“It’s done in an orderly fashion to make use of the time,” Edwards said. “If we spent too many minutes on one dance, say hip hop, then we’d never get done. There are so many different genres of dance that we have to look at.”
Dancers weren’t the only people to audition their talents. Each of the dances appearing in this year’s show had to make the cut as well. This meant the choreographer of each piece had to bring her work before a committee, which decided which numbers would stay and which ones would go.
A veteran of the group, junior political science major Chelsea Kasai was part of the committee.
“It’s a long process,” she said. “But it’s worth it. This is probably one of our most diverse years as far as the type of dance.”
Such an extensive range of styles required an extensive amount of practice as well.
Dance in Flight has been rehearsing frequently since October’s rehearsals. Tech week begins next week, which means the group will have even more rehearsals.
“We all put in a lot of hard work and effort, everyone does,” Edwards said. “Including the people behind the scenes. We have the lighting, the people who do our music, publicity, we even have an accountant. We’re pretty organized.”
With such an exciting show in the works, Dance in Flight is optimistic about the turnout.
“We’re expecting a good response,” Kasai said. “I think Pepperdine and the surrounding community are responding … every year it grows a little more.”
Junior political science major Tiaunia Bedell agreed.
“Our advertising people do a good job of making it known,” she said. “Usually the show is sold out.”
Bedell stopped dancing her junior year of high school to make more time for cheerleading and school. “Freedom Is . . .” will be her first return to the art since then.
“I switched to cheer, but I really wanted to get back into dancing,” she said. “It’s going to be fun to perform again. It’s a great outlet of expression.”
Despite the widely varied backgrounds of the performers, most of the group shares her passion for dance, this year especially.
“Dance is freedom in itself. Freedom of movement, freedom of thought, freedom from any barriers,” Kasai said.
“Freedom is to be able to dance as though no one is watching,” she continued. “To pour your heart and soul into something, but at the same time be able to share it with someone.”
Dance in Flight will share “Freedom Is …” at Smothers Theatre Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for Pepperdine students and $10 for adults.
For tickets or information, visit the Smothers Theatre Box Office or call 310-506-4522.
January 30, 2003
