Yesterday we got to meet Jennifer Huffman, a dancer with Diavolo Dance Theater, and we learned that she thinks ice cream sandwiches are a healthy snack. Wait, you don't think they are? Shhh...don't tell Jennifer!

Today we're going back in to learn more about Shauna Martinez, Rehearsal Director, and Brandon Grimm, another dancer with the company.

Shauna Martinez - Rehearsal Director

1. How do you explain what you do to people that have never seen a performance or a photograph of your work?

Acrobatic dance company, flying and flipping off of very large structures similar to Cirque

2. What style of dance is your favorite to watch?

Contemporary/ modern

3.Who is your artistic icon?

Sabrina Vasquez

4. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

Ultrasound technician or something with exercise science/ massage therapy

5. Have you ever broken anything while performing?

Not broken, sprained yes.

6. If you can incorporated and object or structure into a performance what would it be and why?

hmmm... the challenge of performing on a revolving field would be interesting.

7. Diavolo: Fearful Symmetries is described as being inspired by surrealism. Are you influenced by any surrealist artists?

Jacques is pretty surreal at times... my spectrum of influence is very large.

8. How does nature impact your artistic process?

Weather influences the style or dynamic of my movement. 

9. Do you have a personal way that you try to live a more sustainable life?

Working with purpose, and finding moments and places of relaxation and rejuvenation. Lots of laughing and great friends!

10. What is your favorite healthy snack?

Love orange juice! Roasted pepper hummus with pita bread

Photo by Kristi Khans

Brandon Grimm - Dancer

1. How do you explain what you do to people that have never seen a performance or a photograph of your work?

We are an acrobatic dance company that uses really large set pieces and structures. We play a lot with shapes within a space and movement patters in, on, and around the structures and stage. We are mostly closely compared to Cirque du Soliel, but on a much smaller scale.

2. What style of dance is your favorite to watch?

Anything highly synchronized with pattern and formation changes. Cedar Lake's "Violet Kid" does an amazing job at this. I highly recommend it! 

3.Who is your artistic icon?

Coming from a Fashion design background, I'm really inspired by art deco designers such as Erté, as well as works from Alfonse Mucha and the Art Nouvear era.

4. Is there any part of Fearful Symmetries that you thought would be impossible to perform?

The entire thing... After being given a video to study my track, of an almost 30 minute piece, it was really confusing to map my character. It became easier once we were in rehearsals, physically on the structure.

5. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

Funny enough, I actually resigned from a high profile fashion design position to pursue my life as a professional dancer. I made it 51 weeks (1 week shy of a year) in that corporate job and realized I wasn't happy sitting in front of a desk wasting 15 years of training and performing as a dancer. So I quit...

6. Have you ever broken anything while performing?

Never while Performing, no... But I did step on a screw (used to secure taps to tap shoes) in the middle of a piece. Luckily those screws are short and the sole in my jazz shoe was thick. No toes were injured...

7. If you can incorporated and object or structure into a performance what would it be and why?

I'd have to say... Paint... But I'd like to do it on large ramp, similar to a photographer's seamless paper, but something we could run up and splash around in. 

8. Diavolo: Fearful Symmetries is described as being inspired by surrealism. Are you influenced by any surrealist artists?

Surrealist artists, not so much. But currently I have an obsession with sculptor Richard McDonald. His workmanship in itself is surreal in the nature that, it's unfathomable how much life, detail, and character he puts into each work. His main focus is on the human form: physical artists and athletes in dance, gymnastics, and circus Arts. And as a dancer and performer, I am always inspired by the human form.

9. How does nature impact your artistic process?

I love nature! My favorite getaway is Alaska. Pristine, untouched terrain, covered in trees, glaciers, waterfall, and animals has always inspired me artistically. Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright is always taking inspiration from surrounding terrain and blending his architecture beautifully. Whether its allowing a natural creek to flow undisturbed though the middle of a house, or building a home directly over a waterfall I aspire to work as seamlessly with nature as Wright. I prefer not to disturb nature; but embrace is beauty and strength for inspiration.

10. Do you have a personal way that you try to live a more sustainable life?

Sadly, I don't live as sustainably as I would like as it's extremely expensive. I would love to have a fully solar home that relies not on an electric company, but soley on the power of the sun. In the mean time though, I have a reusable plastic Starbucks cup that I get refilled everyday. :-)

11. What is your favorite healthy snack?

Fresh cut mango... 

Thanks Shauna and Brandon! Check back in with us tomorrow as we finish up our Q&A with Diavolo Dance Theater just in time for their first show on Friday, May 11! They'll be performing on Saturday, May 12 as well. Tickets to both shows are only $10, and from the looks of these photos it's going to be quite a show!