Artist Profile Series: Alana O. Rogers

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Alana O. Rogers is a Seattle-based dancer and choreographer who has been commissioned by Velocity Dance Center, Chop Shop Bodies of Work, Seattle International Dance Festival, and more. She has been dancing since childhood and says that, growing up, she was always creating productions with her little sister and neighbors. “Making dances in adulthood was very much an organic step for me; I didn’t have to think about whether or not I wanted to do it because I was already doing it.”

During a 2014 kayaking trip to Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, Alana became fascinated by arctic landscapes, the richness of arctic wildlife, and most importantly, she says, “the feeling of both immense life and immense quiet it allowed.” She spent nearly two years afterwards researching the coldest places on the planet and particularly the northern latitudes of the Arctic. Into Ice, an evening-length dance performance and collaboration with composer Nico Tower, grew from this experience. View Into Ice on vimeo.

Part of the funding for the production came from a GAP award Alana received in 2016, which, she says, “was a career-defining moment in many ways and a sigh of relief!

“It gave weight to the time and resources I had poured into the project,” she explains. “It also gave a sense of worth to the years spent on many prior projects. It has no doubt inspired me to continue to create, despite our current financial climate, as it pertains to art-funding; despite the competition from other deserving, brilliant artists; despite my own self-doubt.”

Asked if she has any advice for aspiring artists, Alana says to “Be patient. Keep applying. It took me several fruitless attempts before I received a GAP award. And seriously have a friend or professional with writing and communication skills provide feedback on your proposal. It is invaluable. I have a degree in writing but I still have my proposals reviewed by my editor and trusted friend Mariko Nagashima (paprseattle.com). […] Creativity is non-linear (thank god) but linear thinking in grant applications certainly helps their readability and accessibility.”

To learn more about Alana’s current projects, check out her website.

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Megan Gallagher is a writer from Redmond, Washington. She’s obsessed with libraries, art and radio, and aspires toward a future career in nonprofit communications and/or arts administration.

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