written by Elaina Pires
WEEK 1
The first week interning at the ADF was a whirlwind of orientation activities mixed with learning about the Executive Office and how the ADF works. Being placed in the Executive Office was something I looked forward to – because I could better understand how the Director and Co-Director ran the festival day-to-day. Every morning, during orientation, all arts administrative interns met for a few hours to hear various permanent staff members speak about their positions and what role they play in the ADF. The second half of the day was spent in each intern’s individual offices, where we learned about our specific jobs once the festival got started.
Lots of time was spent getting to know the other interns – there were interns from all across the United States: Wyoming, Utah, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, and more. It was amazing to see how well-known this festival is throughout our country. The interns were treated to a fantastic dinner, and we also participated in an intern scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt was designed to help everyone find their way through the city to locations that our jobs would require to go throughout our time at ADF. While the week was pretty laid back, we were told to brace ourselves for when the students start arriving.
WEEK 2
As an executive intern, my first big task was to set up the townhouse apartments for the International Choreographers in Residence (ICRs). My fellow intern, staff assistants, and I were responsible for preparing all the townhouses and stocking with supplies the ICRs may need during their stay. This task was more or less on-going throughout the remaining weeks.
Throughout the second week, my office was busy with picking up the ICRs from the airport and helping them get settled. Meeting each ICR was a completely different experience, and it was interesting to get to know dancers from so many different countries. I had the chance to meet and befriend choreographers from Argentina, China, Russia, Germany, and India.
This week was also the opening weekend of the festival. The African American Dance Ensemble performed three nights and they put on a spectacular show. The live music and energy was so compelling, it had people on their feet by the end of the show.
WEEK 3
With the first full week of classes in full swing, the energy started to pick up around the campus. I decided to take Ming-Lung Yang’s 8:00am – 10:00am technique class, held in the spacious and beautiful Ark. Dancing that early was a difficult adjustment, but so worth it. North Carolina is hot and humid – it provides for a great, but very sweaty, dance class!
Three companies performed this week: Monica Bill Barnes & Company and Kate Weare Company shared a program the first half of the week. Their performances were absolutely spell-binding. Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, an Israeli based company, performed the second half of the week. Their choreography is truly spectacular, and with elaborate and zany costuming and set it definitely tied into ADF’s theme this year “What Is Dance Theater?”
We had our first intern seminar this week. Emil Kang, Executive Director of the Arts for UNC, came in to talk to us about the importance of networking and making a great connection, he had a very compelling story about how he worked his way through arts administration.
The week ended with a small get together for one of the ICRs birthdays, where I got to try some home cooked Russian cuisine.
WEEK 4
Going into week four, I was almost halfway through the program. I was warned that this week was going to be the most hectic and tiring of all. Students from the Open World program (all Russian choreographers and dancers) arrived, and we welcomed them in a similar fashion as the ICRs.
I had the pleasure of seeing RUBBERBANDance of Canada and Dendy Dance Theater this week. This week’s seminar was with Catherine Miller, one of Mark Dendy’s company members, and the Associate Artistic Director of the company. She spoke to the interns from a different point of view about the dance world – being a dancer and trying to make it, and what to do once you have made it.
Dancing for the Camera also took place this week, and I had the chance to work at the screenings and watch almost every film that was screened at ADF. I had the privilege of meeting choreographer and Scripps/ADF award recipient Laura Dean, as I was asked to bring her to the Screendance Network Journal Launch. This journal is the first of its kind – written by scholars of film and video dance. It’s incredible how much goes on in one summer at the festival! So many things new or up-and-coming and being here provided me the opportunity to be there first to see!
I worked at two VIP dinners this week; both held at the Director’s home. There was a dinner held for the Critics Conference and Open World students, and a dinner following the ADF/Scripps ceremony, which was in honor of Martha Clarke, recipient of the 2010 Scripps/ADF award. Through these events, I had the opportunity to meet the attendees at the parties, and connect with dance greats!
WEEK 5
After getting over the craziness from the week before, I enjoyed a much more relaxing week with performances by Eiko & Koma and Pilobolus. The Open World students had been preparing a newly choreographed work that my fellow intern and I helped to facilitate and produce. We created posters to hang around campus, formatted and printed programs, and organized performance space.
Over the 4th of July weekend, we took a van to Wrightsville beach with all of the ICRs and Open Worlders. Some of them had never seen a beach before in their lives. I can’t believe how much one can take for granted! I was told by and ICR that this was the best day she ever had, would never have the chance to see a beach again.
Sunday evening, we wrapped up the week with a party for the school’s Dean, Donna Faye Burchfield, to celebrate her achievements at the ADF and to wish her good luck as she leaves the ADF for new adventures.
WEEK 6
During week six, Martha Clarke’s company and Brenda Angiel Aerial Dance Company performed. I got the chance to help out the Performances offices and pick up Brenda’s company from the airport, allowing me to meet all the dancers and musicians.
I helped host the Musician and Faculty thank you dinner, and continued to facilitate the stay of VIPs who were visiting.
Friday night, I sat down for pizza with several interns and one of the development associates to share our thoughts on a possible alumni network, and what we as interns would like to see happen after we leave the ADF. I am pleased to know the ADF cares and values what we have to say – they take into account our thoughts and opinions and actually consider them. I feel not only that I matter here, but that I am important.
The week closed with a showing by the ICRs. The work they produced in such a short amount of time was impressive, and I took a lot of pride in helping to facilitate such a great program.
WEEK 7
Week seven was our last big week. Rosie Herrera’s company performed this week, which was by far my favorite performance of the season! The interns had a morning seminar with Rosie, and I had the chance to ask her a few questions about her work. I couldn’t believe I had the chance to talk one-on-one with an ADF choreographer and performer.
I worked at two dinners, again at the Director’s home. One for the ICRs and Past/Forward choreographers – I was able to mingle and connect with these choreographer’s talk about my favorite thing in the world – dance. The second dinner was held for Yang Meiqi, the recipient of the Balasaraswati/Joy Ann Dewey Beinecke Endowed Chair for Distinguished Teaching award. This woman risked her life to bring modern dance to China, and succeeded.
Paul Taylor Company performed this week with two programs. A highlight of the week was sitting in a conversation between Paul Taylor and director, Charles Reinhart. It was such an amazing experience to hear Paul Taylor’s thoughts and have him sitting right in front of me!
WEEK 8
As the festival wraped up, my last week was very low key. The Past/Forward performance was wonderful, and it was incredible to see all the hard work that the ADF students had put into the show.
Since work around the office started slowing down, I had the opportunity to reflect on my summer. It is amazing how quickly I built such strong relationships with my coworkers and with students at the festival. Although I was excited to return home, a part of me knew that I would really miss being at the ADF. I learned so much about myself and about the festival, and the experiences I had at the ADF are invaluable. I would absolutely recommend this internship to anyone who is looking to challenge themselves and open themselves up to new experiences and become part of a really hardworking and dedicated community!
Elaina Pires served as an ADF Executive Office Intern during the 2010 season.
Journal from a Box Office Intern
