#alexpalmer

[ernny2013]

The Cry, Bat Nouveau, Metamorphoses 2015. #batnouveau #thecry #alexpalmer #todmanion #metamorphoses #gothicrock

[seaveradmission]

#12DaysofSeaver: 11 Dancers Twirling Q&A

Alex Palmer is a Pepperdine alumna and one of the current Directors of Dance in Flight. She was generous enough to speak with us about the history and tradition of the show, as well as DIF's exciting future:

1. Can you give us an overview of DIF?

Dance in Flight, the resident dance company at Pepperdine University, embodies the diversity and essence of Seaver College and the liberal arts tradition. For 22 years, Dance in Flight has provided a safe environment for emerging student dancers and choreographers to cultivate creativity, physical expression, and teamwork in a professional performing atmosphere. Dance in Flight is both a dance company and an offering to the community, a chance to polish a craft and create a public celebration. It is one of the largest, most beloved, and well-attended events at Pepperdine. DIF is art and faith in action. The company members come from a variety of dance backgrounds, interests, and fields of study. United by their passion for the art of movement, they are dedicated to presenting an impressive showcase of student artistry. Kelsey Alexander and I direct the program, and Melinda Marchiano is our Student Director this year.

2. Who can participate in DIF? Do you have to trained dancer to be a part of the show?

Any full-time student at Pepperdine is eligible to participate in DIF. We host auditions every September, and potential dancers have the opportunity to audition for any or all styles of dance that we offer. While the majority of our dancers have had some sort of dance background, it is not necessarily required. In fact, the majority of the men in our company this year have never had formal training.

3. How did you first get involved with DIF?

Dance in Flight was actually a large part of my decision to attend Pepperdine as an undergrad. I participated in the program all four years (2006-2010), served as a student choreographer for three years, and as Student Director for two. I have been blessed with the opportunity to continue my work with this amazing company as a director for the company for the last five years. Kelsey Alexander participated as a dancer in the program during her three years at Pepperdine (2011-2013). Additionally she served as a student choreographer for all three years, and as Student Director for two. Kelsey also came back last year to choreograph a piece for our 2014 production. Her passion for this company and immense talent have made it hard for us to let her go following graduation, and I am incredibly happy and lucky to have her directing along side of me this year.

4. Can you tell us more about your current role, and what that entails?

I am a Director of Dance in Flight along with Kelsey Alexander. Our jobs include advising our student committee and student choreographers throughout the audition, rehearsal, and production process, and assembling our creative team made up of both professional and student designers. We work with our choreographers to design and develop the show in its entirety beginning with casting our choreographers, selecting the music and styles of dance, casting the company, developing our master class program, running rehearsals, designing sets, costumes, lighting, and helping piece everything together to create a show. Additionally Kelsey and I choreograph pieces for the show usually for styles that are lacking student choreographers for that particular year.

5. What is this year’s theme and how did you go about choosing that?

This year, Dance in Flight is combining the performing and visual arts. We have challenged our choreographers to draw inspiration for their pieces from a work of art that inspires them, choreograph the subjects, shapes or characters in the piece, choreograph around the mood or tone of the piece, or create their own art through movement. In addition to having dance we are adding a live visual art element by having an artist create a progressive mural that will begin during tech and won't reach completion until the end of the last show on Sunday.

6. What is your favorite part of DIF?

Dance in Flight is an indescribably incredible and unique program that Pepperdine has to offer. DIF provides a place to continue training, it pushes a dancer’s boundaries, exposes dancers to styles that they may have had little to no experience in, it provides a safe space to create and grow as an artist, and DIF creates a family and a place to call home during a student’s time at Pepperdine. It’s hard to pinpoint any one particular thing that I love about DIF the most, but one of my favorite moments is standing at the back of the house to watch the show on Saturday night. It’s an extremely powerful moment in time when I get to reflect on this group’s journey from day one at auditions all the way through the process up to the final performance. To have the opportunity to watch them grow as people and as artists, watch our seniors take their final bow, all of whom I have been blessed to see come in as a freshman and now leave their legacy onto the next group, and to know that all of the passion, hard work, hours spent, and love that went into this production came together and made something important and beautiful. There really isn’t a feeling that matches that.

7. Can you tell us about the DIF Movie and the success you’ve had there?

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Director and Executive Producer on this beautiful project. Dance in Flight: The Film is based on the 20th Anniversary staged production of DIF which took place in February of 2013. Together with Pepperdine University and AKP Film & Media, with additional financial support from a loyal Kickstarter community from across the country, we are in the process of bringing Dance In Flight to the big screen in the new year. We had the opportunity to screen the film for our cast, crew, and their families back in October, and we are currently in the process of submitting the film to festivals all around the world. If you are interested in following the journey of the movie, wanting to find or request screenings, or to receive updates, you can visit our website at www.DIFtheFilm.com.

Synopsis: Through a world of color and fantasy, Dance in Flight: The Film illustrates the true stories of a troupe of dancers and the life changing experiences that have resulted from their one true passion: Dance. Lead by a muse that embodies the spirit of dance, each dancer embarks on a transformational journey spoken through movement, vibrantly leaping between heartfelt reality and surreal self-reflection. Their journey ends with a symbolic discovery of love and friendship that reveals their unique and beautiful individuality. Dance in Flight: The Film is the touching celebration of life’s journey told through the art of movement, a journey with a special message that brings us all together.

8. What advice would you give to any prospective students thinking about applying to Pepperdine, particularly those interested in the arts?

Pepperdine is a wonderful place to explore your creativity, to step out of your comfort zone as an artist, and to ultimately pursue a career in the arts.

I have seen many friends and students, myself included, come to Pepperdine with alternative career goals in mind, and leave with what are now flourishing careers in the dance and entertainment industry. While Pepperdine does not have a dance major (yet), it provides an incomparable opportunity to continue training as a dancer, develop artistry  as a choreographer, and serve as a leader in all aspects of a professional production through the Dance in Flight program, all of this while receiving a high quality liberal arts education. Dance in Flight was created by a group of dancers who were working towards a variety of academic goals, but who could not imagine life without dance. 22 year later, DIF has continued to provide artistic opportunities for dancers both far along and just beginning on their dance journeys.