We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alexander Jones. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Alexander , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am definitely wandering right now and that is perfectly fine with me. I have spent the last 2 years on an Equity Contract at Disney World, now that chapter has concluded, I am refocusing on my company projectALCHEMY and myself as independent dance artist–reconnecting to my research and the “why” behind me making the work I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Alexander Jones. I am founder and artistic director of projectALCHEMY, a downtown St. Pete dance+ company. I received my MFA from Hollins University and BFA from University of South Florida. I’m adjunct at the University of Tampa teaching Dance Partnering and Musical Theatre Dance. I’ve been with Disney as a performer and Equity Dancer since 2007.
Dance is how I learn and navigate the world. Its’s been in my bones since I was born, and nurtured with the help of my family and their love for music.
When I’m not dancing, I’m an avid gamer–helps me to relax.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Grad School. My time at Hollins. I went back to school after starting at the University of Tampa and being told that if I wanted to keep the job I would need a terminal degree. I chosen Hollins University because of their low-residency program–which wouldn’t take me away from my life in Tampa, and because it was a chance for me to study abroad in Germany–I had never been to Europe and this was my chance. I did not expect it to be such a life changing experience down to how I natural operate on a day to day basis.
That time in my life brought me closer to my heritage and my deep connection to family and roots in Walterboro, South Carolina. Identity matters so much to me. I masked a lot about myself–being black, queer, polyamorous–and lot of that came to the forefront. And not, just outside of the studio but in the studio as well. How I make work is deeply tied to my identity and (re)shaped how I choreograph and collaborate on dance experiences.
I need the rupture to be who I am now.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Jeffery Bullock, Chair at Hollins, spoke about failure. That it’s need to keep going. And that stuck with me.
Sometimes failure illuminates a missing technique or thing I need to do the task at hand. Sometimes it informing me of other possibilities that can be made here–two or more things can be true. Sometimes it is screaming at me that this moment in time is not meant for me or doesn’t serve me, and I need to move on.
Failure is a tool. I tool that I use in the studio to make dances and a tool outside of the studio to survive.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d like to think so. I’m an introvert that can extrovert when needed but not for long periods of time. I strive to be honest at all times and with everyone. I’m a mysterious person, I think, and that shows in how much people know about me and what I’m doing, especially on social media. I’m curious and I believe in magic and practice it everyday whether people are watching or not.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Working to build a better structural and stable dance ecosystem in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area with all the great dance artists in the area. Dance and moving is so needed to survive. Embodiment is how we process. It’s why I make work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.projectalchemy.dance
- Instagram: @projectalchemy.dance
