In Profile: Luctricia Welter sees dance as 'a prayer in movement'

By JAMES DAVIS | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

January 26, 2008

Title: Founding artistic director of Jubilee Dance Theater, Fort Lauderdale, observing its fifth anniversary with more than 200 child and adult students.

Other job experience: Danced with Alvin Ailey in New York, and in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Requiem Variations; coordinated 1998 Miss Black America Pageant.

Other community posts: Member, New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale; coordinator at several area magnet schools and at Hollywood HUGS program.

Awards: J.M. Lexus Family African American Achievers Award, 2007, arts and culture category; Florida State Recognition Award, 2006.

Personal: Age 41. Born in St. Augustine.

Family: Divorced.

Q. How can you couch spiritual ideas in a physical art, like dance?

A. One, you have to have a personal relationship with God in Christ. Two, you're not supposed to be presenting a show. It's a prayer in movement. Something that is explained without words and felt by everyone watching it.

Q. How did you get into your vocation?

A. At Dillard High School, I was too short for basketball and too chubby to run a 50-yard dash, but the school offered dance as a gym credit. Revell Shaw, who is now on my board, was one of the instructors and invited me.

Q. How did you know it was for you?

A. I realized it was my calling much later. It was when I looked around and saw what had happened in my life, and I had nothing to do with making it happen. It was all God.

Q. Favorite part of your work?

A. Teaching my babies, starting at age 3. They're so fresh and new, and their eyes dance before the music even begins. And watching an idea come to life, whether I'm inspired by music or a quote. And actually seeing it performed on a stage is wonderful.

Q. Hardest part?

A. The fight I have sometimes from individuals who think of the arts as a little hobby, as opposed to something that could change lives. I've had kids who came from a house with substance abuse, and when they come into studio, they feel like they've found a safe haven.

Q. What do you do to relax?

A. I like to listen to jazz and go to museums. Or just pick up a book and read.

Q. Favorite pastime?

A. Photography. I have a Nikon D200. I like to take pictures of nature and dancing.