Ep. 117- Marinda Davis
Questions asked in this episode:
Marinda’s transition into adulthood and her insight around her progression into post secondary (3:00)
What was the biggest thing that you took away from your post secondary? (4:52)
Would you say that the feeling of always wanting a challenge is more or less apart of your personality? (6:14)
What was the process like for you as you transitioned out of post secondary and into the professional world? (6:49)
Was your plan always to jump into choreography and be the artistic director of your own company? (7:31)
Marinda’s story around the health struggles with her body starting to break down throughout her life (10:14)
Was there ever a point when you felt that you had to stop or ease off of dance due to the physical aspect of it? How did you manage this? (14:00)
What does that look like when you are on jobs or on set and you have this unpredictable trauma? (15:59)
The 8 different diseases and health complications that affect Marinda’s body (17:36)
How do you navigate the line of “this is an actual reality for me though it does not define me?” (19:26)
How do you work with the process, especially in the dance studio, surrounding the idea that your body was physically changing? Did this affect your self talk or were you able to departmentalize that? (23:24)
What are some of the things that have worked really well for you in the process of getting to know the inside you? (26:14)
What did you gravitate to as the self realization that this is what it is now? (27:57)
What was the experience for you and what was the biggest take away of creating the film for the series “My Last Days?” (30:00)
Knowing that the Ace Awards has brought the many opportunities within the dance industry, how have you worked through exploring the artistry and being able to maintain authentic and integral work? (34:46)
Knowing that you have had this journey of physicality and working through the mental process, what is a piece of advice that you would love to pass on to the upcoming generation of professional dancers? (39:27)
Originally from Florida, Marinda’s dance training began at the young age of two. Between her training at Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy, Blake High School of the Arts, and regional musical theater, it was during these pivotal years that Davis' signature style gained its eclectic roots. Touring with conventions from age 15, it was on the circuit that Davis began to spread her wings working as assistant to Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Ray Leeper, Dennis Caspary, & Lisa Allain. At 18, Marinda relocated to NY to attend Marymount Manhattan College on scholarship where she obtained a BA in Dance with a Musical Theater minor. Simultaneously, she trained extensively at BDC studying with her mentor, Sheila Barker. Marinda danced professionally with Sting, 98 Degrees, & was a founding & principal dancer for Anthony Morigerato's, AMDP, NY. Choreographing for the world's top studios & known as an inspiring, life changing teacher, you’ll often find Marinda on the convention circuit inspiring countless dancers. Marinda is the artistic director of her company, marInspired ; the storytellers, founded in 2009. She’s presented work at the Joyce, YCF, Club Jeté & The Giving Tree. In 2010, Dance.com recognized her as a Top 10 Young American Choreographer 25 & Under. In 2012, she premiered marInspired’s first full length NY show, Breakable enjoying a sold out run at Salvatore Capezio Theater. This same year, Marinda received her 1st Capezio ACE Award nomination. Marinda is on faculty at EDGE, BDC, Peridance & WILD. She’s the choreographer for Starpower's Power Pak & resident choreographer for Marked Dance Project. She recently choreographed Frankie Z’s videos, Hello & Faith. Now based in LA, Marinda was nominated for her 2nd Capezio ACE Award in 2015 & received 2nd runner up & funding for UNbreakable, the company’s 2nd full-length show. They previewed at Dancerpalooza and premiered their full show at the El Portal in 2016. In 2017, Marinda brought UNbreakable to NY’s Symphony Space. Marinda recently choreographed a piece for Dancing With The Stars' finale starring Julianne Hough. Marinda’s powerful story is the subject of the docuseries My Last Days premiering on the CW.
