40-year GSU choreography instructor plans to continue inspiring love of dance

by T. Scott Boatright | Office of Communications

She has not only lived a life of dance — she has spent decades teaching others to love a life of dance.

Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, director and choreographer of Grambling State University’s Orchesis Dance Company, is retiring after nearly 40 years in that position.

But the lady known for her exuberant personality will go out “tripping the light fantastic” as Extensions of Excellence Performing Arts Inc. will present “The Choreographer’s Last Dance” at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Strand Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Members of the Orchesis Dance Company will join Legacy Dance in the 13th annual Dance His Praise show in the choreographer’s honor.

“For her, dance is not only an artistic form, it’s a lifestyle,” said Orchesis member Octavia Hill about Maroney-Grigsby. “It’s about life. You have to be on time, every day. You’re going to miss something if you don’t come every day. You miss one day, you feel like you miss a whole week. She has taught us so many things.”

In 1983 Maroney-Grigsby succeeded Virgie Broussard Pradia to become the third artistic director for GSU’s Orchesis Dance Company.

And she brought a lifelong love of dance along with her.

That love came as an elementary school student growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, but it was cemented when an opportunity for Maroney-Grigsby to audition for Norfolk State Dance Theatre that led to meeting nationally renowned master Inez Howard, founder of the National Black College Dance Exchange.

“Inez Howard was the person who opened my eyes,” Maroney-Grigsby said. “I thought I had been dancing until I met her, but she opened up a whole new world of dance for me. She changed my life forever.”

Howard warned Maroney-Grigsby of her limited prospects as a dancer without a change toward a healthier lifestyle, including losing weight. Howard also took Maroney-Grigsby to see a performance of Alvin Ailey’s Dance Company and introduced the young dancer to Dan Wagner at the American Dance Festival in Richmond, Virginia.

It was Wagner who helped Maroney-Grigsby to receive a scholarship to study dance in New York City.

Maroney-Grigsby strengthened her love of dance in the “Big Apple,” improving her skills and knowledge and joining the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, extensively touring the U.S. She also performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, touring in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

She said that’s where she strengthened her love for and commitment to dance, qualities she has passed on to her students over the years.

“Commitment is a big thing for her,” Orchesis member Jasmine Crawford said. “Because in life, you’re going to have to find your commitments. Whatever you’re going to do, you’re going to have to stick with it. You have to stand strong and have self respect.”

In 1983, Maroney-Grigsby left her positions as soloist and assistant artistic director of the Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and also full-time faculty member at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, to head southward to Louisiana to become artistic director of GSU’s Orchesis Dance Company.

It was a move that would make her love of and commitment to dance even stronger. She would go on to receive her bachelor’s degree from GSU and her master’s degree in theatre from Louisiana Tech University. She also served as a longtime dance teacher at both universities.

“I am indebted to so many people like Inez Howard and Dan Wagner,” Maroney-Grigsby said. “They both left lifelong marks on my life and taught me how to do so for the students I’ve taught. Coming to Grambling changed my life and made me stronger than ever.”

Grigsby-Maroney also taught at Louisiana Dance Foundation’s (LDF) Summer Dance Festivals from 1983-2007 and developed numerous award-winning ballets on LDF’S resident dance company, Louisiana Dance Theatre.

She also led Orchesis to performances in Japan and throughout America, from New York to California. Under her guidance, Orchesis has been featured in Proctor and Gamble national TV commercials, live appearances with recording artist Vickie Winans, and with the GSU World-Famed Tiger Marching band in the hit movie “Drumline.”

Grigsby-Maroney continues making an important impact on Orchesis members today.

“I met Ms. Maroney my senior year in high school,” Hill said. “I was interested in dancing in college. I didn’t know where. She came into our class, and she’s funny … full of personality and life. Even though this is her last dance, she doesn’t make it seem like that. Her love of dance is kind of imprinted on all of us. She makes it like that.”

Crawford said Maroney-Grigsby is the fuel that builds the fiery love of dance for Orchesis members.

“Just the energy she gives off is so valuable,” Crawford said. “ We feed off of her energy. Everything she does is just personality. She gives us tips. She tells us stories — I love her stories. She’s just a wonderful being to work with. And her love of dance is very passionate.”

While Saturday’s performance is titled “The Choreographer’s Last Dance,” Maroney-Grigsby said her love and commitment to the art will continue.

“I’m not giving it up,” she said. “I’m just not going to be at Grambling or at Louisiana Tech,” Maroney-Grigsby said. “I’ll still choreograph and still teach classes. ‘The Choreographer’s Last Dance’ was just a hook the producer (Vincent Williams) came up with to catch people’s attention. And it is catchy. But this change will give me a lot more time to do some other things. It’s time to be able to do some of that, too.”

Tickets for Saturday’s performance of “The Choreographer’s Last Dance” will cost $25. To order tickets or to get more information about the performance, call The Strand Ticket Office at 318-226-8555 or go online to thestrandtheatre.com.

Orchesis members performing in the production call the opportunity a chance to honor and show their love for their longtime dancing and life-skills mento.

“Thank you for being there … for inspiring us,” Orchesis member Jada Thompson expressed toward Maroney-Grigsby. “We really appreciate you. We thank you for everything you have done.”