Respondent: Gabrielle Gambino (Founder and Director)
Name of Company: Roots Dance Project
Name of Show: 7 Deadly Sins
“Roots' process is a pretty unconventional one. All the artists are scattered around the country. The choreographers set up dates and cities to meet in and create original works. We then meet in Atlanta the week before the festival begins and piece the show together.”
1. Why should anybody see your show?
The show 7 Deadly Sins will not only have killer music and beautiful dancers but will also make you feel connected and contemplative of how it relates to your life. It's sexy and tragic and who doesn't love a little drama?
2. Why Atlanta?
I am an ATL-ian. I love this city and all of it's eclectic pockets. It's the perfect weird place to attend and participate in a Fringe Festival!
3. What inspired you to create this?
All of our shows are a collaborative effort. Roots Artists ran through a bunch of ideas before landing on 7 Deadly Sins. We still wanted to create a show that moved our audience but with a darker and sexier theme.
4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this? Roots' process is a pretty unconventional one. All the artists are scattered around the country. The choreographers set up dates and cities to meet in and create original works, all the while staying in contact to make sure the show can come together seamlessly. We then meet in Atlanta the week before the festival begins and piece the show together.
5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
I have learned that the second time putting together a production is much easier! I learned so much from Fringe 2015 that this process has been a much more comfortable one.
6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and NeNe Leakes roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?
I'm going to have to go with Jane Fonda again. She is just a bad ass and I want to hang out with her after the show!
7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)
I am cocktail kind of girl so I am going to give you my favorite bar that has my favorite bartender, Bookhouse. I never order off of the menu yet every drink I have is amazing and different. It's always beautifully garnished and in an interesting glass. While I have gotten better at guessing what's in each of these cocktails I still find one or two ingredients I am unfamiliar with. They are always delicious and different.
(Editor’s note: as a nerd/booze snob, this is an excellent choice.)
8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?
I would still want all of my family and friends to attend our show. We may not be PG but PG-13 seems like an acceptable rating.
9. Will your show save mankind?
It sure won't! But when mankind is going down the gutter I will remember the good times of dancing at the Atlanta Fringe Festival.
10. Oh boy! A mysterious benefactor gave you a million dollars after your first show! What do you do?
Get a non-profit status, give all of my artists a big cut, build or buy a studio space, and truly get Roots Dance Project up and running. Also quit my day job.
11. Describe your show in three words.
Dark, Contemplative, Beautiful
For more information about Roots Dance Project visit their website, Facebook and Instagram.
