1.      Can you tell us about the American Dance Festival?

Started in 1934, the festival is dedicated to modern dance. It’s about commissioning and presenting companies from around the world and helping commission new work. It’s about training a new generation of dancers, choreographers, and artists. We offer training, programming, and maintain an incredible archive that dates back to the beginning of the festival. The festival has always resided in an university setting—first at Bennington, then Connecticut College, and moved to Duke University in the fall of 1977. It is our 37^th year in Durham. The focus of the ADF is the summer season, running 6.5 weeks each summer, in which we present a season of performances and do multiple educational programs. It is important to note that while biggest focus, we have year-round activities happening, including a January Intensive Program in NYC for students and international exchanges for teachers and musicians.

2.      How did you get involved with ADF?

Growing up, I was a very serious dancer focused on classical ballet. At 16, a book entitled ADF by Jack Anderson came to my doorstep. Ironically, I put it on a bookshelf and forgot about it. Soon after, I went to college and determined a professional dance career was not for me. While home on winter break, a former employer introduced me to arts administration. I went back to school and started focusing on that. I scoured internship listings and eventually found ADF. After my interview, I remembered the book and read it. I worked as an intern in the fall of my senior year and was offered a full-time position in the spring, beginning work before I even completed my degree. I have had a love affair with ADF ever since.

3.      This season features companies from France, Ireland, Israel and South Africa. Why is it important to incorporate international artists into the American Dance Festival? How do you form these partnerships?

The interesting thing is that the festival was established and named in 1934, prior to the explosion of international modern dance. International modern dance really exploded in the 1980s, and what’s beautiful about it is that people create based on their own cultures and experiences. Though there are certainly external influences from our global society, modern dance really is an individual art form. Our goal is to present the widest smorgasbord of creation and range of works, from intimate, raw, and edgy to lyrical, athletic, pure dance. I am privileged in my position to travel and to see as much work as possible.

I was lucky enough to attend the International Exposures Festival in Israel this past year. I consider it one of the most wonderfully organized festivals because you see an astounding density of work in such a short time. After attending these other festivals, I always find one or more things that are incredibly strong that I want to bring to ADF. It’s great fun, but then the hard work of making it happen begins.

4.      Israel’s Vertigo Dance Company opened this season last week with U.S. premiere of Vertigo 20. Why was Noa’s work chosen to kick off this year’s festival?

We brought Vertigo Dance Company two years ago and they presented a stunning work, both visually and athletically. Not only did I think it was very strong, but the piece also resonated deeply with audiences and students who were at the festival. Noa said many students even came to Israel to train after seeing Vertigo’s performance at ADF. When I was in Israel in December [for International Exposures], I saw Vertigo 20 in rehearsal and I knew it was the right piece to bring back. From there, it just became a puzzle of logistics. It all aligned to the opening, which seemed magical. Vertigo 20 is visually striking and deep, but also accessible, which made it the perfect launch to the season.

Bonus: What do audiences have to look forward to for the rest of the season and for the future of ADF in general?

We are lucky in that we have a really loyal, dedicated audience that has been coming since 1977. With that, they’ve grown to learn and admire the artists we love. Of our 24 choreographers and companies this season, 12 have never been to ADF before. We are excited to share old favorites doing incredible work, as well as new artists who have not yet had the opportunity to perform at ADF.​