Irish dancing in America has never been given the chance to cultivate the widespread audiences that its offshoot, tap dancing, has enjoyed. Mark Howard from the Chicago and Milwaukee based Trinity Academy of Irish Dancing believes that this is partially due to the competitive nature of Irish dancing.
“Not that competition hasn’t been good for Irish dancing here,” Howard says. In fact, his academy has won seven world titles over the past five years, but that competition has necessitated a host of standards for dancers to meet, which in some ways has restricted the medium’s potential as an art form. “Because the focus has long been on competitions, the entertainment value of Irish dancing may have been overlooked,” he says.
“Not a lot of people know what Irish dancing is. Everyone has heard of the Irish jig, but only a small segment of the American population has a clue what it looks like. During rehearsal for our first performance on the “Tonight Show” [Trinity Dancers have made three appearances in all], crew members on the set reacted as if they had just discovered something new,” Howard says, adding, “I tried to explain that this wasn’t something I made up. Irish dancing has existed for hundreds of years.” The recent “Tonight Show ” appearance represents the latest in a string of successes for Howard’s dancers. During the past two years, Trinity dancers have appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, danced for the Royal Family in Monaco and performed with the Chieftains.
But what will be perhaps the most enduring and widely viewed performance of Irish dance is yet to come, when the movie, Backdraft, which stars Robert De Niro and Kurt Russell is released later this month.
The film will feature six Trinity dancers in a scene that starts with a close-up of the intricate footwork of one of the dancers. By the end of the scene, the dance floor is filled with extras ceili dancing under Howard’s direction.
Howard’s eyes light up with the promise of unexplored possibilities when he discusses his latest project, the Irish Dance Company.
“There are really no progressive avant-garde Irish productions out there. I think there’s also a lot of opportunities to present extended dance dramas, which would be variations on the six-minute dramas we produce for competitions.”
“I eventually want to create an hour-and-a half program that would combine music, lighting and dance on a scale with other famous modern dance companies,” he says. “I want to push this medium to its outer limits. I’ve been approached about choreographing a Broadway production and I’m interested in talking further with Ron Howard, [director of Backdraft] about his new movie, which is about Irish immigrants around the turn of the century.”
“Most dancers are fortunate to compete, and if they’re really lucky, they get to represent their country at the world championships,” Howard says. But he has more ambitious plans for his dancers.” I’d like kids to have more to look back on than a tattered costume and shoes hanging in the closet or some old medals in a drawer. I’d like to take them and Irish dancing around the world.”
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the May 1991 issue of Irish America. ♦
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