marInspired ; the storytellers.

10/26/2021

06/06/2020

Part III of Artistic Director Marinda Davis’ interview with company member & The Storytellers Submission Panelist Tommy Scrivens. Check out our prior posts to learn more about this incredible soul.

M : I’ve apologized to you privately but want to also do so publicly. In our first full length show “Breakable” you played a character that had a major story arc & a small but significant piece of that character arc was an angry, frightening villain. That part was given to you because you had the depth & range to play it, but I never thought to discuss it with you in regards to stereotype or race or how it could potentially perpetuate fear & propel a stereotype’s narrative to our audience. I’m sorry. I say this publicly because even seemingly hyperaware allies & those with best intentions can misstep. What would you say to directors, producers, casting, agents, to heighten awareness of casting & to keep the dialogue open ??

T : First of all, Thank YOU for that. That’s a moment I buried deep in my gut. I know you & I know your heart. I know you would NEVER do anything to hurt me. To be honest, there was a moment that it stung. I didn’t want to be looked at that on stage nor did I want to look like that in your eyes. The thing about it is. you also gave me the largest range for one character of anyone in the show. I saw eventually that you gave me those roles based on my range.

As far as words for the people behind the table, I think I’d say to them, listen & open your mind. Black people can play many roles and be as versatile as anyone else can. Look past the stereotype you might place us in. LISTEN to our artistic voice rather than bending or wielding it ; we’re more than what you might see. I also want to say thank you for this platform. Being supported is nice, but sometimes being heard is far greater.

M : What can we do to make dance more inclusive & accessible ?

The most important thing is to educate yourself. We use styles that are African Diaspora based (Tap, Hip Hop, Samba) & don’t give them the same respect as we do ballet and contemporary. Reach outside your bubble & try to provide opportunity to other communities than your own.

06/04/2020

Below is Part 1 of Artistic Director Marinda Davis’ interview with founding company member and The Storytellers Intensive Submission Panelist, the phenomenal Tommy Scrivens. Please check out our prior post to read more about some of Tommy’s amazing career highlights.

M : How did racism effect the experience of your dance training as a child/adolescent ?

T: There wasn’t anything “blatant”. My teacher treated me like family ; her kids called me their big brother. All of the girls and I were friends in school or friends of my brother. These girls were like my extended family. Naturally, they would tease me and sometimes say things that weren’t necessarily “PC”. I learned to ignore the small things because I just assumed those small things weren’t meant with harm. I tried to focus on being in as many classes as I could. It wasn’t until I was in high school that true colors showed. Someone in that extended studio family said to me that if I married a white woman, she’d come to the wedding, but her heart wouldn’t be in it. This struck such a huge chord. I lost faith being seen as family and realized color was an underlying prejudice. I learned in that moment that I needed to be more hyperaware.

M : Representation is so powerful and something that’s deeply important to our company. Growing up, who was powerful for you, personally ?

T : As a child I watched a lot of TV so I got a chance to see dancers like Gregory Hines. People like him fueled my love. But it wasn’t until high school when I watched an Alvin Ailey video (rented from the public library) that my life really started to shift. I thought I was just a tap dancer and that’s all I could really truly excel at. Seeing those beautiful black dancers doing things I’d only ever seen white dancers do completely shifted my perspective and expectation for myself.

If you’re not already, please be sure to follow Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dancers, to know them, is to know the history you dance on. Check in tomorrow for Tommy’s experience with racism as a professional dancer.

10/16/2019

As many know, but some don’t, we lost one of our most vibrant and beautiful storytellers, on Friday. We are devastated and heartbroken but find peace in the thought that he is now dancing above us with a set of sparkling wings, painlessly and without limitation. ✨
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There is a GoFundMe link in our story to help his family with medical bills & service costs. We also invite all of you to attend the Dance for Travis benefit at his home studio on Tuesday night, October 15th, 6pm. There is no better way to celebrate Travi than through dance. 🌹
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Travis, we love and miss you and thank you for blessing our company with your talent, light, and heart. Our hearts will never stop aching at your physical absence but we know we won’t have to look far to find your spirit. It will always lie in the movement. Our bond to you will forever be UNbreakable. 💜

07/31/2018

Don’t miss our Artistic Director, Marinda Davis today on To The Pointe with Kristyn Burtt on Dance Network ! 3pm (PST.)

https://www.dancenetwork.tv/Catalog/FreeMedia/1040/to-the-pointe-marinda-davis

07/31/2018

Red Carpet and reception photos from Katie's Art Project last week in NY !
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Red Carpet Photos By :
Natalie Anne Powers.

07/31/2018

marInspired World of Dance Watching Party ! Thanks to everyone at Power Pak and STARPOWER who joined us for our special night ! 💜
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Marinda Davis

07/31/2018

Few things have spoken to us more about the hope and progress that remains in our country, than THIS night. Thank you to all the beautiful children and their remarkable parents for embracing us and teaching your children that LOVE is LOVE is LOVE is LOVE ! I still choke up when I think about the outpouring of love, acceptance, and pride that was in that room that night. 🌈

Power Pak World of Dance

07/31/2018

World of Dance Qualifiers !
“If you didn’t like it, you’re just scared.” - JLo
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91.3 !!! And a standing 0 from JLo !!!

07/31/2018

Our company had the privilege of dancing “give.me.LOVE.” at Katie’s Art Project last week in NY. A non for profit headed by the amazing Stephanie Klemons, the organization was inspired by the loss of Stephanie’s childhood best friend, Katie, to Leukemia. Katie’s Art Project connects terminally ill children with established artists through collaborative programs to create a lasting legacy through art.

For this incredible event, half our cast travelled from LA, one from Florida, one from Portland, and the other 2 joined us in NY. They danced their hearts out for an amazing cause and we couldn’t be prouder.

Thank you to Emily Brown for being a rockstar and jumping in the day of due to an injury ! Thank you to Think Tank for your collaborative efforts. Thank you to Lorinda Haver for coming to the rescue with a costume in an Uber 3 hours before showtime. Thank you to Charlene, & for your expertise. Thank you to the genius that is for curating the beautiful artwork and space surrounding us. Thanks to for EVERYthing. Thank you to Steph for your beautiful heart, mission, and your belief in us. Thank you to our Artistic Director and choreographer Marinda Davis. And finally, thank you to our incredible storytellers for donating your time and talent to this beautiful cause.

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05/29/2018

: marInspired’s episodes won’t air until July, but until then, be sure to check out all the incredible talent weekly on Season 2 of NBC’s World of Dance !
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05/25/2018

TONIGHT’S THE BIG NIGHT !!!!!

Tune in to The CW 8pm/7c to watch our Artistic Director, Marinda Davis’ remarkable story and our company’s process and journey to bring “UNbreakable” to NY.

Marinda Davis. Wayfarer Entertainment SoulPancake

05/25/2018

Some of our amazing storytellers reunited for the LA premiere event at The Grove ! So much of our show, “UNbreakable” and its process are shown in the documentary ; we can’t wait for every one to take in these dancers’ hard work and amazing gifts. DON’T MISS THIS ! Today, Friday, May 25th 8/7c on The CW !
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The CW SoulPancake Justin Baldoni Marinda Davis Wayfarer Entertainment

05/25/2018

Check out this awesome article by Kristyn Burtt on Dance Network about our Artistic Director, Marinda Davis !

Tonight’s the BIG night !!! Today (as in Friday) 8pm/7c on the CW !!!

Learn the incredible story of how Julianne Hough brought Marinda Davis’ work to ‘DWTS.’

05/24/2018

Check this amazing article on BroadwayWorld featuring Artistic Director Marinda Davis and our incredible company and show, “UNbreakable.”

Be sure to tune in THIS Friday (tomorrow), May 25th on The CW to watch, “My Last Days.”

https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/MY-LAST-DAYS-An-Uplifting-Docuseries-Created-by-JANE-THE-VIRGIN-Star-Justin-Baldoni-Returns-to-The-CW-525-20180521

MY LAST DAYS, an uplifting documentary series about life as told by courageous people living with a terminal illness, will return for its second installment as a three-night special event, Friday, May 25 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT), Friday, June 1 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT), and Friday, June 8 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT),...

05/23/2018

5 incredible stories, one of them, our artistic director .... Marinda Davis ! 3 day countdown !

Friday, May 25th 8/7c on The CW