TOSHA PENDERGRAST, A Dancer's Life

Here's a question you may have asked yourself about Tosha Pendergrast: When does she sleep? Mundane, perhaps - but it's a question that comes to mind when you realize that she's always working, whether she's teaching students at Lauri Gregoire's Bellevue Dance Center, choreographing her latest show (Dreamgirls opened just last week at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts, Street Theatre Company's production of In The Heights opens in a couple of weeks), performing onstage (she was among the cavalcade of stars in the Music City Theatre Collective's debut production Showstoppers), doing television appearances (The Dance Network is calling) or just living life with her handsome and charming husband Benjamin Pendergrast (together they are the perfect couple, each devoted to the other)...

We're exhausted just thinking about trying to keep up with her action-packed schedule and her peripatetic lifestyle, but just like everyone else who knows her, we are invigorated and inspired by her confident manner, her superb focus and her amazing creativity and ambition. In fact, it's hard to think of musical theater in Nashville without considering Tosha Pendergrast in the same thought: She's that good and she's that well-respected by her peers. And there is so much charm and commitment to be found in her personality that everyone - anyone! - who knows her, meets her for even the briefest of moments, or brushes up against her at an audition or rehearsal, is almost certain to fall a little bit in love with her.

Which, truth be told, makes her the ideal subject of today's A Dancer's Life. Find out what makes her tick, what drives her to perfection and why she's so happy to be pursuing her art in her hometown.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to Tosha Pendergrast, renaissance woman...

What was your first introduction to dance as an art form? My mom put me in dance classes when I was two and I have never looked back! I very seldom have memories from my childhood, but I remember the times when I was able to be onstage. I remember dancing with Elmo, and I remember this bright satin costume with crazy ruffles...It's all a very colorful blur!

What was your first real job as a dancer? My first REAL job that I got paid for would be for Lifeway. I was in their choir curriculum videos they'd send to all the churches. I started that in elementary school. From there I got a lot of commercial Christian work. I became a Cedarmont Kid. I sang on their CDs and did their sing-along videos. Then I got a job recording and choreographing musicals for Kathie Hill Music...all before the ripe old age of 13! I've basically been working my whole life.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in dance? I don't know that it became an official decision until I had the option of pursuing dance in college. It was something I loved and always had done, so it didn't feel like I would ever do anything else until I had the opportunity to actually study it outside of Nashville...And having a career creating and teaching dance is everything I didn't know I wanted. There is so much gratification and fulfillment outside of performing and I'm blessed to be able to share my love of dance with people.

Who is your dancing idol? Oh geez! This is super hard to answer. I can honestly say I don't have a single idol. But I am a huge fan of many. Bob Fosse immediately comes to mind because I love dancing Fosse myself. Typically, you can see a little Fosse in almost everything I choreograph. I'm all about tap dancing so I love the Nicholas Brothers! I got to meet and talk with Chloe Arnold about tap in Nashville and that was amazing for me. She is a beast! Robert Reed was a big factor in my love for tap and he encouraged me as a dancer at Oklahoma City University [OCU]. He pulled me aside at auditions and told me I had something special. That made my life! I was also able to take class from Frank Hatchett a couple of times and every time, even though the classes were years apart, he called me out and complimented me. When someone of that caliber tells you you've got it, you can't help but to believe them! They have both passed away within the past few years, but those brief moments have shaped me as a dancer.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? I was born and raised here in Nashville (yes, we exist) and I like the opportunities that living here affords me. Although I have connections in NYC and LA, I feel like I can really blossom here and learn and grow in a friendlier environment. I'm a softy. I understand you have to be cut throat sometimes to make it in the business, but I don't operate that way. I am genuinely happy when my friends get gigs and I have no problem recommending people for things that I myself am not able to do, and people do that for me as well. It's give and take all for the love of the art. Also, being able to perform at places that have so much history is an honor.

What is your dream role as a dancer? If you could dance any role, what would it be and why? My dream role right now is the Leading Player in Pippin, but I would also love to be Velma in Chicago. I like sultry jazz, and, yes: Fosse.

What is the biggest spot on your resume? Biggest in size? That would be Adelphia...I'm sorry...LP Field. I danced in the Billy Graham kids crusade a long time ago with Psalty the Singing Songbook! Or, more recently I danced with Reba McEntire, The Flaming Lips, The All American Rejects, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kelli O'Hara, Vince Gill, and more for Oklahoma's Centennial Celebration at the Oklahoma City Chesapeake Arena with The American Spirit Dance Company. Of course any time you get to meet famous people is fun!

What role/works is your most favorite? I'm going to speak as a choreographer on this one. There have been several productions that have made a positive impact on me...So I have a few favorites! 9 to 5 with Johnny Peppers for Pull-Tight was probably the best environment to create in. I made several lifelong friends through that production and it was my husband's debut on stage!

I felt like I was able to put so many different styles of dance in Addams Family with Circle Players, so I was really proud of that cast and thankful to Brett Myers for letting me go crazy with the choreography.
The most fun I've ever had in a production was The Andrews Brothers with Greg Frey for Gaslight Dinner Theatre, it was definitely more play than work with that cast!

Currently I'm working on Dreamgirls with Matt Hunter for Murfreesboro Center of the Arts and let me tell you, that cast is going in! But I have a feeling In The Heights with Cathy Street for Street Theatre is going to be my favorite show to choreograph. It's definitely more my style than a lot of the musicals I've worked on.

What's the biggest misconception people have about dancers? That it is easy. Sure, somethings come naturally to some people but it takes SOOOO much time and energy to be successful at dancing. Another misconception is the idea that anyone who can dance can teach/choreograph. That is inaccurate. People don't always understand that teaching and creating work is a different process and requires a different skill set. I wish that people understood that not every dancer knows how to do that.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? I would say young Tosha would be played by young Raven. And current Tosha would be played by current Zendaya. And older Tosha would be...Taraji P. Henson! I love her fierce acting skills! But for dancing it'd probably be Debbie Allen!

What's your favorite work created for dancers to perform? I think anything created to push dancers to channel their emotions and really feel a piece is amazing. I can tell when people really love and live in the moment with what they are doing and that transcends time and space for me and really moves me to my core. I've been moved to tears many times by sheer force of emotions I've felt from dancers. I've cried at Ballets, at Broadway shows, at SYTYCD, at my students' recitals, at hip hop, at tap...anything where you can see a dancers spirit is my favorite. And kudos to the people who create that opportunity.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the world of dance, who would you choose and why? Bob Fosse. Michael Jackson. Britney Spears. BOOM! Why? Fosse because of Fosse. Michael Jackson because I believe he truly is one of the greatest artists of all time. Genius. Britney because she has inspired me ever since 1998. I admire her drive, her passion, and her career! She has created an empire and has accomplished so many things and all the haters can say want you want, but she's laughing all the way to the bank!

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own dream...what would you say? Fortunately I am able to work with my students six days a week and I feel like it's my job to inspire them to pursue their dreams every time I see them. The advice I give the most is that it's ok to fail. I would much rather work with someone who commits and gives 150% and falls flat on their face, than someone who shows up and doesn't try because they're afraid to look bad. It's ok not to be the best at everything. I, personally, have never been the most technically advanced dancer. But I leave my heart and my soul every time I get onstage. If you never push yourself to try for a double pirouette because you are afraid you can't do it, then you'll never be able to do it! It seems like an obvious statement, but I see dancers too frequently not try things, yet expect to magically be able to do them. Letting fear dictate your life is no way to flourish and grow. Taking time to learn something means you're gonna mess up occasionally, but if you never try and if you don't give it your all, the only one holding you back is yourself.

To post a comment, you must register and login.