Time, Tap and Tandem: Arianna Smith’s Artistry Leads Her to Community
Arianna Smith (credit Jerri Shafer)
By Lauren Squires, director of Movement Afoot
Arianna Smith, a tap dance instructor, choreographer and performer, is a four-year member of Movement Afoot. She will be performing and will have her choreography (along with Brianna Smith) showcased in Movement Afoot’s upcoming concert The Matter of Time, Sept. 26-27 at the Van Fleet Theatre.
Lauren: How did you get started tap dancing? What has made you want to keep doing it?
Arianna: Tap was one of the first styles I was introduced to, and I have been dancing since the age of three. I continue to tap dance because the art and the community that accompanies it always leaves me inspired. As an African American, I feel closer to my roots because tap dance is so engraved within our history and culture. Anytime I leave a rehearsal or a tap festival, I am reminded how much art brings people and cultures together, creating a safe space for all. There would be times when I was in class with individuals who didn’t even speak English, however, we were all able to communicate with our feet and speak through the rhythm of tap dance.
Lauren: What other forms of dance do you do, and how do those relate to your tap dancing?
Arianna: I do many styles due to my background in competitive dancing, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and ballet. Because I grew up a multifaceted dancer, I try to incorporate my other styles into my tap dancing through choreographed upper body movements and diversity in levels.
Arianna Smith with Movement Afoot (credit Jerri Shafer)
Lauren: Who or what are some of your influences as a tap dancer and choreographer?
Arianna: I have always admired the Nicholas Brothers and how they brought a new aspect to tap dance that incorporated flashy movements which captivated the audience. I also admired these dancers because they were a sibling duo just as me and my sister [Brianna Smith] have always been. My process for choreographing includes getting familiar with the music and imagining what I want the piece to look like visually. Then I determine how I can play with the nuances in the music to bring that vision to life.
Lauren: What is something about tap dance that you wish more people knew?
Arianna: I wish people knew how big of a tap hub there was around the country and that the idea that tap dance is a “dying” art is an all-too-common misconception. Tap dance is alive and well and there are plenty of talented tap dancers in your city.
Brianna Smith, Arianna Smith, and Dean Hulett (credit Marcus Jackson)
Lauren: What question do you get asked most often about your art, and how do you answer?
Arianna: Many people ask me if tap dance is like Irish dancing or they will send me a viral video of someone Irish dancing, thinking it is the same as tap dance—however, they are two different styles of dance!
Lauren: What has your experience been like living, working and creating in Columbus?
Arianna: I have been in Columbus for going on six years now since I went to Ohio State for undergrad and now attend Ohio State for law school. I’ve loved being able to find a dance community here which has also led me to become more connected with other artists, including musicians. I love how much Columbus is growing and how there is always something to do. You can take a pottery class, a dance class or go to Shakespeare in the park. Columbus has evolved so much already and will only continue to grow, bringing more people and more artistry.
You can see Arianna Smith performing with Movement Afoot in The Matter of Time, with shows Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Van Fleet Theatre.
This article is part of a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus campaign. Explore a calendar of events, public art database and artist stories at columbusmakesart.com. To learn more about GCAC grants visit gcac.org.