Guest Post: Dancers Connecting to Their Faith and Enriching Their World (January 13, 2009)

Click Here for Dance Writings Review of Dance Addeum in Malaysia (Nov. 2008)

Click Here for Original Blog Article in "DanceHunter" DanceHunter N. Wozny's musings on dance, theater, and other things that move This piece in The Houston Chronicle is a result of many rich conversations with Randall Flinn on the subject of dance and faith. As a lapsed atheist (who knows what that is) I started with a good dose of suspicion and ended with a sense of respect. My gracious thanks to Flinn for being so available to help me understand his process. LIBERA — THE JOY OF BELIEVING Randall Flinn may have named his company Ad Deum, Latin for "To God," but don't expect his performances to feature choir-robed dancers re-enacting Bible stories. Flinn's combination of faith and choreography is much larger than that. "I create work from a biblical point of view, which encompasses a huge realm in the human experience," he explains. "In fact, I consider the Bible itself to be a work of art." Flinn, an ordained minister and 25-year member of Turning Point Ministries, keeps his churchgoing life and dance-making life separate, aside from an occasional Christmas show. "I know that there are some ... that would find it a lot simpler to box the mission of Ad Deum into a certain classification, be it liturgical, evangelical or Christian art," Flinn says. "The artist who believes in God should be making important contributions to the whole of life, not just a religious component." Flinn's pieces resemble typical modern dances. Instead of Christian music, he prefers using popular, classical and world music. His dancers come from many religious traditions, including non-Christian ones. "Often, dancers are drawn to us because of what we stand for," says Flinn, who formed Ad Deum in 2000. "But there's no specific denomination or church that we attend together." Ad Deum member Bethany Brantley, who trained in a Christian dance studio in College Station, found a spiritual and artistic home in the company. "It's so rewarding for me to be able to express my beliefs through dancing," says Brantley, 19. "I am privileged to be able to dance pieces with these amazingly positive messages." Flinn, 50, and his dancers do pray together. Group blessings start rehearsals. "We pray for family members, healing an injury, whatever is on our minds," Flinn says. The troupe also prays before it performs. "As an artist who believes in God, I also believe that the world is the stage that God sets before me to offer and serve with the gift that has been entrusted to me, which happens to be dance." Flinn admits that religion and art can be a volatile mix. "In politics it's considered fair game to talk about your faith; in art, not so much," he says. "It's almost considered taboo in the art world to include your faith in the creative process." Flinn, who cites many biblical references to artists and creativity, likes to remind people that art and religion have a long history together. "J.S. Bach, one of the world's greatest artists, signed every composition with these words, 'solo deo gloria,' (to the glory of God). He saw himself as God's artistic servant, and he gave the world his blessing. That's what I hope to do as well," Flinn says.

Click Here for Original Blog Article Freelance writer LeAnne Benfield Martin, a member of ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors), has both a B.A. and an M.A. in English. She has written hundreds of articles that have appeared in many Christian magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, Today’s Christian, The Lookout, HomeLife, Christian Single and others. Many of her articles also appear on several websites and on www.Crosswalk.com. LeAnne has written about a variety of topics through the years, but she especially loves to write about the arts. In September 2006, she started a blog called Christians in the Arts. Each week on Monday and Thursday, she features artists working professionally in a variety of fields as well as art experts, enthusiasts, and educators. LeAnne’s purpose for the blog is to encourage artists who are Christians struggling to integrate their faith with their art. She also wants to help other Christians understand the value of the arts in their own lives and in becoming more involved in the arts to help reach the world for Christ.  Part 1 of 3:  Monday, September 01, 2008 Randall Flinn: Dance Ad Deum Randall Flinn is founder and director of Dance Ad Deum. Flinn began his dance training in Houston over 25 years ago with Glenn Hunsucker, Camille Long Hill, Dina Vail, and Patsy Swayze. His most recent modern dance influences have come from studies with The Limon Company and Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with Martha Graham. He has taught and choreographed locally as a guest artist for the Houston Ballet Academy, The Episcopal High School, Houston Met Dance Company, Joan Karff Dance Company, The High School for Performing Arts and North Harris Performing Arts Dance Company. He was selected as a guest choreographer for Houston's Dance Salad 1999, Dance Houston 2006, and Texas Weekend of Contemporary Dance 2007. Nationally, he has served as guest faculty and choreographers for Cirque Du Soleil--Alegria, Ballet Magnificat, Belhaven College, Friends University, Project Dance NYC, LA, and Sydney, Australia, Hillsong, Australia, and Dance Revolution Conventions. Having lived throughout Europe and Asia for ten years, Mr. Flinn has also been a guest artist for Hong Kong Ballet, City Contemporary--Hong Kong, Guanzhou Modern Dance Company--China, Xaris Danz Europe and Youth With a Mission International Schools of the Arts. LeAnne: What is Dance Ad Deum? Where did the name come from? Randall: Ad Deum means "unto God" in Latin. Ad Deum is a professional contemporary (modern, neo classic) dance company based in Houston, Texas. The company began in January 2000, birthed by an ongoing passion for some years to establish a professional dance work where dance artists of Christian faith could fully integrate and pursue their vocational calling with excellence in an environment where their faith could also freely be expressed. Dancers have moved here to Texas from all around the globe to pursue their passion for their faith and their dancing. I still stand amazed! Not that long ago, professional dance and Christian faith did not fare well among the Christian community nor within the mainstream community of the arts. The church (well, parts of it) was open to liturgical or praise dance offerings by well meaning worshippers. However professional presentations of dance by highly skilled dance artists who truly were seeking to honor God and bless mankind were rare to find. Well, a new day has dawned and a multitude of very high-caliber and Christ-centered dancers have come into the Kingdom for such a time as this. They are out there all over the world engaging, influencing and impacting the church and the mainstream culture. To this I say, "Praise God--finally!" LM: What is Dance Ad Deum working on now? RF: More than I care to think about--that is what we are working on now! Next big performance is Texas Weekend of Contemporary Dance in Houston at the Miller Theatre on September 12/13. We are premiering a new work by Mr. Steve Rooks, former ten-year Principal Dancer with Martha Graham. Steve is a fellow believer-artist who is also working as the Lord's Daniel in the midst of Babylon, so to speak. His life and work as a follower of Christ is that of a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. [Note: To read LeAnne's interview with Steve Rooks last year, click here and here.]  Ad Deum has a full touring season both nationally and internationally. In November, we make the long journey to Malaysia to work with both the church and the mainstream dance culture. LM: How has your faith affected or impacted your passion for dance? RF: I believe my faith and a true understanding of a biblical worldview of the arts opens my life to the limitless possibilities of the glorious freedom of the children of God. I have come to understand a relevant and redemptive revelation of a New Testament priestly-artist--one that seeks to bless the Lord and serves the culture around him as the Lord's servant. No need to be religious here in this position and calling. The freedom comes in resting in the relationship and calling and understanding the cultural mandate and claiming the truth that God's artists can take up their towels and basins and wash the feet of this world with art that resonates with glory and honor. On Thursday, the conclusion of my interview with Randall Flinn. Posted by LeAnne Benfield Martin at 9:15 PM 0 comments Labels: dance, Dance Ad Deum, Randall Flinn, Steve Rooks   PART 2 of 3:  Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Randall Flinn, Part 2 This week I'm featuring Randall Flinn, Founder and Director of Dance Ad Deum. LeAnne: Have you faced challenges from the world because of your faith? Randall: Surely at times, but that is to be expected and rejoiced over. For the most part I have found that when we are true and comfortable and "real" in our own skin as Believers working in the arts, and when we have something significant to contribute that is not propaganda for our cause, we then gain many listening ears and hearts. And the applause ain't bad either! LM: Have you faced challenges from the church because of your art? RF: Would you be shocked if I told you sometimes this is the greatest warfare of all--where we strain at gnats and swallow camels? Praise God for those churches and pastors and Christian leaders who "get it" when it comes to the arts as good gifts of God to be celebrated and stewarded and offered not only to the "holy house" but also to those in the outer court. LM: What would you say to encourage other artists who are trying to live their faith and their art in the world? RF: Don't stop. Pray, weep, persevere. He who began a good work is faithful to complete it! And network--not for vanity or self-promotion but for the life-giving fellowship of other Believers who are wired just the way you are! The Lord still needs His Joseph in Egypt and His Esther in Persia and all the Daniels in Babylon He can get. No, it's not the church or missions organization--it's the world, but you can still be God's priest and servant and wash many feet in that very place. Remember, there is a mighty spirit and He dances with us and over us. Here is my offering on that truth. Posted by LeAnne Benfield Martin at 8:56 PM 0 comments Labels: dance, Dance Ad Deum, Randall Flinn