Intersections Artist: Tappers With Attitude

An Interview

Jacqueline Lawton: What type of artist are you?
Tappers With Attitude: We are a pre-professional youth tap ensemble, focused on tap but also engaged in other forms of body percussion. We consider ourselves not only dancers, but also musicians – a tap dancer is a drummer or percussionist, creating music that can be SEEN, not just heard.

JL: Where were you born? How did you end up where you are now?
TWA: Our dancers are ages 10-18, and the companies directors are in their mid-30s, mid-50s and mid-70’s, so we are intergenerational. Most of the dancers were born in DC area, and have lived most of their lives in this area. The company’s Executive Artistic Director is a native Chicagoan, who moved to this area for love!

JL: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
TWA: Every tap dancer wishes for a couple extra feet, so while we’d probably like to try life as any four-legged creature, we also think it would be a blast to be a millipede!

JL: What is your favorite quote?
TWA: Art is work, it just looks like play!

JL: What is the best advice you have to give?
TWA: Intention alone don’t cut it. You need to walk your talk, honor your elders, give respect and expect it in return, and set an example. Show up on time. Be fully present to those around you. Be generous with your energy. Do something scary every day.

JL: Why did you want to be a part of intersections?
TWA: We loved the idea of creating new work with other artists who share some of the same cultural and artistic background, the same feeling of importance of community, and the traditions that are our legacy … but who, like us, also want to shake it up a little and add some new voices to the mix, too.

JL: What is your personal theme song?
TWA: “Knock On Wood.”

JL: What do you think will be cool about the festival?
TWA: As artists, we are looking forward to making new friends and developing new relationships in the arts community. As performers, we’re hoping to make new “audience friends.” As audience members, we’re looking forward to seeing a whole lot of very interesting work, all brought together under this thematic umbrella.

JL: Finish this sentence: I am an intersection of ...
TWA: We are an intersection of generations, of race and culture, of tradition dance and cutting edge choreography, of dance and musical styles. When these things meet at the crossroads, they generate a palpable energy -- smokin’ hot music that you can see, brand new but somehow still reminding us of times and places we have never been.
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Tappers With Attitude, Coyaba Dance Theater and Urban Artistry
Origins, a joyful collaboration among three top DC dance companies celebrating the heritage and soul of African American dance.

Saturday, Feb 20 at 2:00 PM
Sunday, Feb 21 at 7:00 PM
Lang Theater
Tickets: $15 student / $20 adult
For Audiences of All Ages
http://www.tapperswithattitude.org/