Tapestry Dance Company Brings Back Tap's Golden Age

Stacie Strong | Sep 27, 2008 | 0

As much as we love all the new things that are happening in tap, a huge number of us love classic tap, too - Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly and all the great dancers of tap's golden age.  One of the country's most accomplished tap ensembles - Tapestry Dance Company, out of Austin, Texas - has taken a page out of the history books to present an exciting revisitation of some of Hollywood's and vaudeville's best-loved tap repertoire.  We spoke with Acia Gray, the Executive/Artistic Director of Tapestry, about her salute to the great moments in tap history as well as her upcoming multi-form production for her Texas audiences.  

Here's a clip of some of the fantastic tapping from "Souls of Our Feet" - see if you can spot your favorite movie moment, three dimensionalized and in real time!

Tapestry Dance Company was founded by rhythm tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet/jazz artist Deirdre Strand in 1989 to produce multi-form dance performances and educate audiences and dancers about the possibilities in dance.  Over the past 18 years, Tapestry has toured throughout the US and abroad, including trips to Cyprus, Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland and Canada.  Acia Gray has long been one of tap dance's most accomplished dancers, and was just recently named President of the International Tap Association. She graciously made time to speak with us about what's in store for Tapestry this season.  

SS:  So, I hear you have a couple of shows coming up.  What have you got in the works?
AG:  After our encore performance here locally of "The Souls of Our Feet II" (prior to kicking off our 2008-2009 tour, which starts in Washington State), we'll be premiering "From Head to Toe," which will take the company back to its modern dance roots.  Utilizing tap, body percussion, modern and vocals, the concert will take the audience on a journey through each dancer's unique personality as well as a look into the collaborative playfulness of the company itself.

SS:  How did you come up with the idea of doing these two shows?
AG:  "The Souls of Our Feet" involved a conscious effort to pay tribute to those incredible masters and proteges of the form that I have been blessed to work with over the past 25 years. "From Head to Toe" involves a revisiting of the storyline-based concerts that the company is so known for - showcasing the dancers' multi-form talents while leaving the audience feeling included and touched - to include and touch the world itself.

SS: Why did you want to do these shows now, particularly "The Souls of Our Feet," which is particularly heavy on straight-up tap skills?
AG: "Souls of Our Feet" coincided with the launch of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Initiative, so it was just perfect timing.  During my career, I've had the chance to work with many of the great masters.  Since they are and were a precious community that is fading fast (Honi Coles, Steve Condos, Buster Brown, Eddie Brown, Donald O'Connor, Jimmy Slyde and many, many more), I felt compelled to reach out to those younger dancers - primarily those who are in my company - who didn't have a chance to work directly with them.  I can still hear the voices of each master teaching and telling stories in their own unique voices (whether by tap shoes or vocal), and that direct connection is priceless and worthy of passing on.  However, I also feel it is not a coincidence that tap dancing has become once again popular - the current political and economic realities of today reflect what was going on in The Great Depression, to some extent.  People are hungry for an escape and a connection to what makes this country great and what we can be proud of as indigenous and original.

SS: What was the process of creating the dances for "The Souls of Our Feet" like?
AG: Many of the works were taken from my personal repertoire - again directly from one of the masters:  The Coles Stroll, The Chair Dance, Eddie's B.S. Chorus, The Coles & Atkins Softshoe, Laura - by Buster Brown and Main Stem - one of my original works.  Others were set by the original choreographers with funding from the NEA, including works by Arthur Duncan, Brenda Bufalino (in tribute to The American Tap Dance Orchestra), Jeni LeGon, Sarah Petronio, Harold Cromer (of "Stump & Stumpy")  and Dianne Walker, as well as a work of Leon Collin's staged by myself.  However, a large portion of the work is hours upon hours of watching archival footage.  That's been a painstakingly difficult process, but it has proved to be incredibly worth the effort.  What is so wonderful about this process is that segments of original filmed dance footage is utilized within the show and then transitioned into a three dimensional vision that's rarely been seen before.  Witnessing the "Moses Supposes" dance from Singin' in the Rain or "The Jukebox Dance" of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire will give you chills.  I'm amazed at the process that I set for the dancers has worked so well.  I told them not to try to BE the legend, but instead to soak up their rhythms and their time and let the souls/soles arrive within you.  With this freedom, the physical appearance of the Tapestry dancers have truly arrived in a very authentic representation that doesn't come off as imitation.  

SS: How does this show work to your dancers' strengths?
AG: It's funny - I couldn't have done this show if I didn't have the company I currently have.  I truly believe I have some of the strongest tap dancers working in the field, and I sculpted the show not only around my vision but around all of their unique talents and strengths.

SS: What was the biggest challenge in creating this show?
AG:  Money.  I'm still not sure how we have and are continuing to do it.  I suppose it's truly fate and meant to happen.  I also think the physical stamina it takes for the dancers to pull off a two hour non-stop, fast costume change production and keep injuries to a minimum is a major challenge.  Money has a major thread in this Tapestry offering and unfortunately there is never enough money to financially support active understudies.  Thus, cross casting is necessary throughout the show.  

SS:  What has the audience response to "Souls of our Feet" been like?
AG: "Souls of Our Feet" (the original) has had a tremendous response around the country - I believe the nostalgic flashback of the film clips and seeing those works in three dimension (as mentioned before) is a real treat to most audiences.  Others are amazed at the ingenuity of the contemporary works of the second half of the show.  Many people have no idea what concert tap dance is - let alone what's out there.  "Souls of Our Feet II" brings not only three of the original Souls back to the stage, but re-introduces more of the work of the women in film and additional contemporary tributes: i.e., The American Tap Dance Orchestra.  This performance only had its debut this past spring, so we're looking forward to our first tour engagement this October with special guest artist, Arthur Duncan.  I think there's so many levels within both concerts that everyone in the audience will gravitate to their own unique inner rhythms whether reflected in film (remembering a favorite movie for instance) or stage.

SS:  Will Tapestry be returning to its mixed format in the future, or does this mark a turn towards a more tap-heavy concentration?
AG:  The company's board of directors has recently shifted the focus of marketing to the fact that we are strong tap dancers with a foundation in other forms of dance.  "From Head to Toe" will be a return to our original roots, but always with tap included.  Every season will have one of our multi-form offerings.  For example, last season we premiered "Footprints," which utilized East Indian dance and had world music as a focus.

SS: Is there anything else you want to say about the show?  
AG: Not really, other than to say people should check out our website at http://web.mac.com/soulsfeet/Site/Welcome.html!

Many thanks to Acia for taking the time to speak with us and tell us about what she and her talented troupe of dancers are up to!  Look for "Souls of Our Feet II" to come to a theatre near you - and if it doesn't - ask for it!  It sounds like an experience that is not to be missed.

We'll leave you with a clip of "Footprints," one of Tapestry's multi-form offerings.  Enjoy!

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Jazz, Tap, Modern, Teacher, Enthusiast, Performance (all tags)