We recently connected with Elijah Alhadji Gibson and have shared our conversation below.

Elijah, we appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I pretty much grew up surrounded by the arts. My dad was the lead singer in a band, my uncle was an artist, and I was introduced to codified dance techniques at an early age. However, it wasn’t until college that I fell in love with the arts and realized it was a career possibility. Originally, I went to school to study biology and minored in chemistry. After watching a student-run dance production a friend had invited me to, I found out I could get a degree in dance. In the middle of my sophomore year, I changed my major to dance performance and choreography. Under the direction of Dana Nicolay and with the mentorship of the rest of the dance faculty, I was introduced to dance history, dance composition, dance pedagogy, and quite a few different modern dance techniques. I was also fortunate to have worked with several guest artists who exposed me to the many facets of the world of professional dance. Dance in higher education was a catalyst of my artistic journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a dance educator, choreographer, and activist. In 2019, I founded Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater and remain its Artistic Director. I would say that as an educator, I’m known for my ability to blend a traditional approach to class structure and etiquette with adaptability to diverse populations and ranges of experience. As a choreographer, I would say I’m known for creating work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. My activism manifests through my passion for creating work that promotes social consciousness by expressing the breadth and depth of the human condition through dance and storytelling.

Originally from San Diego, California, my introduction to dance was through tap dance at the San Diego Civic Dance Association. Then I attended the San Diego School for the Performing Arts. I studied dance in college and received my Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, with a focus on dance history, somatic studies, and pedagogy.

After a national and international career as a professional dancer, I transitioned to teaching in higher education at the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University. After my time with Shenandoah, I taught at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Sam Houston State University, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston. I’m thrilled to now be on faculty at Texas A&M University.

I feel what sets me apart from others is my versatility.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

One of the most common questions I get asked is: Where do I find my inspiration? It’s usually followed by: “Are you afraid of running out of ideas?” I always say that I will never run out of ideas. We live with the notion that we have autonomy over our own lives, when in fact we are all governed. However, we do have control whether we reject or accept, and how we embrace the cultural boundaries, limitations, and expectations placed upon us by social constructs. I think it is important to share our experiences; only then can we begin to understand each other. I am a storyteller at heart and am most passionate about creating work that addresses the human condition. My inspiration for my creative process stems from personal experiences and current issues, as well as the systems surrounding me. Much of my creative work has reflected the historical ramifications of social injustices, oppression, and discrimination against all peoples and the impact they have had on contemporary social ideas and values. I will always be a champion for equality of all peoples, and this is what drives me every day.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

For those who aren’t familiar with the arts, a good start for them is patronage. Attending performances is crucial for artists. Without our audiences, our existence seems inconsequential. And although ticket sales are great, it’s difficult for a performing arts organization to survive on production revenue alone. If the performing arts received a fraction of the financial support as sports, the results would be world changing. Most importantly, to create an artistic ecosystem, there must be an investment in arts education. In addition to the benefits an arts education has proven to have on our youth, without it, the arts would cease to exist.

Contact Info:

• Website: socialmovementdance.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smcdt_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMCDTh
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smcdt/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMCDT_

Image Credits
Louise Flores Chris Sanchez Claudia Casberian Lynn Lane Kevin Schuster