Our Spotlight sequence emerged out of the need for audiences and different artists to attach with dancers who they could not know–as a result of the artist is new to the world, or from a distinct era 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.
Photo by Marcia Davis
Name and pronoun:
Leah J Russell, She/They
What’s your position in Seattle dance?
I’m a dancer, choreographer, rising educator, and ceaselessly devoted scholar. I’ve been freelance performing constantly since 2017, dancing with Khambatta Dance Company since 2019, and simply began working with Dance Undercurrent. Taking class constantly is vital to me each by way of coaching and constructing a way of group. I at all times really feel so impressed by the opposite dancers within the room. Watching individuals develop, take dangers, and individualize choreography with their very own inventive selections by no means will get outdated. I occupy quite a lot of motion worlds from modern dance to bouldering, to fireplace spinning and ecstatic dance, and attempt to encourage as a lot crossover as attainable wherever there’s curiosity. What I’m presently working in the direction of is creating occasions that encourage movers of all totally different backgrounds and ranges to return collectively, be taught, develop, and share in order that we will proceed to develop our abilities, pleasure, and group. Stay tuned!
What type of work is your favourite to make/do?
I get pleasure from work that’s athletic, emotional, and pushes the sides of my bodily skills. I’m actually excited by work that’s simply exterior my consolation zone, one thing that I’ve to develop into a bit bit in order that I get that satisfaction of noticing measurable progress. Coming from a background in theater, it’s unsurprising that I actually relish dramatic work that lets you lose your self. Dance is such a novel house the place we’ve the chance to remodel ourselves into characters, animals, the weather, mystical beings, and even summary states of being. In my very own work, I discover that I have a tendency to start out with making a story arch, a particular journey that I need to take the viewers on and use that as a framework. I usually use the exploration of characters, animals or other-worldly entities (i.e. aliens, figures from fable/lore) to information my improvisation observe when creating a chunk.
Tell us about your subsequent efficiency.
My subsequent efficiency is in June for the Seattle International Dance Festival. I’ll be performing with Khambatta Dance Company on June 11 and 18, and I’ll be performing my very own new solo work referred to as Awakened on June 13. I’m notably excited to share this piece. I don’t need to spoil an excessive amount of however it’s an idea and bodily journey that I’ve been growing for just a few months and really a lot exemplifies the type of darkish, theatrical, athletic, and emotional dance that the majority intrigues me and I’m wanting ahead to sharing this story and creature I’ve been constructing.
Photo by Marcia Davis
What do you carry to the rehearsal room?
It’s at all times vital to me to attempt to carry my greatest self to rehearsal, class, or any dance house I enter. My objective is at all times to be variety, open, beneficiant, and curious. I firmly imagine dance at the start is an expression of the enjoyment of being and I would like dance areas that I occupy to be locations the place individuals really feel supported, cared for, uplifted, and impressed. I attempt to be everybody’s #1 hype lady and have a good time progress, dangers, and inventive selections. I additionally attempt my greatest to carry my lowest lunges and most open hips as that is my signature trait.
What are some media that you just love or which are influencing you proper now?
Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns by Andrea Gibson – An wonderful e book of poetry by a queer writer. Anytime I really feel a bit low on inspiration, I can simply open up that e book and get an emotional gut-punched of inventive vitality.
Everything Everywhere All At Once – If you haven’t seen this film, you could. Stephanie Hsu’s physicality shift as Jobu Tupaki makes me giddy with delight.
The Last Of Us – I assumed I couldn’t deal with one other post-apocalyptic present however this one is so effectively carried out. Amazing writing and performing.
Photo by Marcia Davis
Recommend three issues!
I’ve been a loyal follower of those three courses for some time and I actually can’t suggest them sufficient:
Wade Madsen’s Modern class Monday nights 7-8:30pm at Nod Theater (eXit SPACE)
Alicia Mullikin’s Contemporary class Tuesday nights 7:30-9pm at Nod Theater (eXit SPACE)
Undercurrent – Advanced Floorwork with Hilary Gruman Wednesday mornings 9:30-11:15am at Fremont Abbey
If individuals needed to comply with you and your work, what’s one of the simplest ways for them to do this?
You can comply with me on Instagram @leahjmoves. Website is beneath development and coming very quickly!
Please come to my new donation-based class, Creative Conditioning at Fremont Abbey Arts Center on Mondays 9-10:15am beginning May 1st! Open to all ranges, we’ll circulate by means of enjoyable and difficult sequences that can enhance energy, flexibility and coordination.