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Tapping into the local dance scene

More students join Tap Happenings at The Shoebox

By Emily Gibb

As part of the Ohio State University Arts Initiative, beginner and experienced dancers can learn and practice tap in the space known as The Shoebox.

Performer and OSU tap instructor Jenai Cutcher is an artist in residence in the newly renovated arts spaces, better known as Arts in the Alley in the South Campus Gateway. After completing an English degree from OSU, Cutcher began her six-year career as a professional dancer in New York City. She returned to OSU to complete her master's in dance and has since stayed as a faculty member, helping to spark a re-growth in tap interest.

"The longer I've been around ... people start to realize that tap is still thriving," Cutcher said.

Karen Bell, dean of the Ohio State College of the Arts and associate vice president of the Arts Initiative, approached Cutcher about the Allied Arts program through the Arts Initiative and becoming an Artist in Residence.

Bell's aim is to keep artists in Columbus, and Arts in the Alley is one way to gain interest in the arts around campus and the Columbus area. She was also instrumental in organizing the OSU Urban Arts Space, located downtown in the former Lazarus Building, Cutcher said.

At The Shoebox, the walls exhibit paintings while the wood floor remains reserved for tappers. Exemplifying artist collaboration, one painter's work was directly inspired by the performance art taking place at the studio. Sarah Weinstock, who exhibited her work in The Shoebox throughout December and January, came up with the idea to paint the bottoms of Cutcher's shoes before she tap danced over the canvas. Currently, through February and March, the walls display the vibrant paintings of Adam Brouillette.

Because of spaces in the area like The Shoebox and the Gateway Film Center (formerly Landmark's Gateway Theatre), students have more opportunities to present their art. Before, the only university-sponsored stage made available to OSU tap students was through the elective classes' end-of-the-quarter performance called the "Informance."

Cutcher began an adult beginner-level tap class last fall and, despite a slow start, Cutcher said interest has picked up this winter. She acquires one new person almost every class. Dancers of all experience levels are welcome to join.

"If you've heard about it, you're the one we want to come," Cutcher said. "It's part of the tap tradition."

For more advanced dancers, Cutcher also runs a class called Tap Happenings. She encourages participants to bring their own choreography or ideas they would like to share or practice. The sessions are designed to be more like a tap lab than a tap class.

"We choose what we do so it's not so much of a teacher-student setting," said Tap Happenings frequenter and senior Jackie Laroche.

Gradute student Justin Ziniel began tap dancing a year and half ago through the elective classes. He enrolled in Cutcher's Tap 2 class this quarter, and also participates in the Adult Beginner Class and Tap Happenings.

"I try to take advantage of the most opportunities I can to tap dance," Ziniel said.

Tap Happenings is every other Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and the beginner class starts at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. For more information, visit www.jamjamproductions.org.

Originally Published: February 24, 2010