Our Spotlight collection emerged out of the will for audiences and different artists to attach with dancers who they might not know–as a result of the artist is new to the realm, or from a special technology or pocket of the dance scene. The Q&A format lets Seattle dance artists to introduce themselves in their very own phrases, or share the place they’re on this second in time.
Name and pronoun:
Naphtali Ann (she/her)
When did you come to Seattle and why?
During faculty, I had lived in Seattle for a summer season and at all times needed to come back again. Wanting to be nearer to ailing dad and mom in Idaho, I moved to Seattle from Houston in August 2009. Though Houston’s dance scene was vibrant, I used to be excited to discover the rising dance scene in Seattle.
What’s your function in Seattle dance?
I feel this can be a query most likely each Seattle dancer asks themselves regularly. Dancing in my 40s now, private challenges, and post-pandemic life has led me to seek for what I’m actually captivated with and discover pleasure in. I carried out with Karin Stevens Dance firm for 7 years and DanceJenkinsDance for a season again in 2013/2014-with freelance work peppered in there-also performing in myriad festivals. In 2017, I continued freelancing and began presenting work. To keep concerned within the dance group, I recurrently take lessons, equivalent to Dance Undercurrent and attend reveals as properly. I’m freelancing nonetheless but in addition purpose to be making work this subsequent season.
What type of work is your favourite to make/do?
My favourite type of work to make or do is website particular, both out in nature or within the metropolis. I really like improvisational, partnering, and collaborate work as properly.
Tell us about your subsequent efficiency or final efficiency.
Last efficiency I did was in Wade Madsen’s work that was carried out as part of 12 Minutes Max. I’ve additionally been thrilled to be part of collaborating with and in Tabitha Steger’s work referred to as Of.The.Seasons this previous January and April. It’s an “intermingling of culinary and movement arts into a singularly unique performance experience, with pop-ups in different spaces.” We hope to have one thing within the works in October. Of.The.Seasons seems like an exquisite method, particularly for the reason that pandemic, to attach with group by way of incredible meals and distinctive places. My subsequent choreographic initiatives embody a dance movie and a chunk exploring grief.
Tell us about your favourite efficiency that you just’ve seen in Seattle and why you liked it.
It’s so arduous to determine…however most not too long ago Long Playing by Rachael Lincoln and Leslie Seiters. I liked the usage of props in a method that made you are feeling linked to the dancers, in addition to the partnering. And then bringing some viewers members to take a seat on the stage, in direction of the top of the piece, as Rachael and Leslie moved and partnered round them–was so emotional after the isolation of the pandemic and felt so visceral. The piece actually resonated with me and I left feeling impressed.
Photo by Catlyn Griswell.
Recommend three issues!
- Get exterior! Go to the mountains or the water. We are surrounded by a lot magnificent mountaineering to lakes or mountain tops and it’ll assist your psychological well being and actually change your cells.
- Lighthouse Roasters in Fremont! Best espresso and baristas in Seattle!
- Dance conditioning work equivalent to lifting weights, Pilates or Gyrotonics is so vital! Game changer for longevity as a dancer/mover! I extremely suggest Backcountry Pilates or Pivot Movement Studio;)
If folks needed to observe you and your work, what’s the easiest way for them to do this?
Instagram: @naphster