With its massive ups (live shows back in theaters!) and massive downs (COVID-19 cases and supply-chain issues canceling far too many of those shows), 2021 has truly been a year like no other. Throughout it all, Dance Magazine has worked to cover the trends, the changes and the inspirations that have kept us going. Here […]
From Billy Elliot to Bernardo: David Alvarez’s Journey to “West Side Story”
It was clear to anyone who saw David Alvarez in the musical Billy Elliot more than a decade ago that there was something remarkable about this teenager debuting on Broadway. Even at 14, he had a gravitas beyond his years. His dancing was both expressive and explosive—it said something about the character’s inner life, and […]
12 Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Dancer
As rewarding as it is to see the excitement on someone’s face when they unwrap the holiday gift you’ve given them, finding that gift can be stressful. When you’re shopping for someone who spends most of their days in the studio, gift giving can feel like even more of a challenge. Whether you’re looking for […]
Our Favorite #FosseChallenge TikToks
Some things—like Fosse’s iconic choreography—never go out of style. One of the latest trends to take over TikTok is the #FosseChallenge, where everyone from pro dancers to amateurs are taking a stab at moves from Sweet Charity‘s “Rich Man’s Frug.” Even some original Fosse performers have been getting in on the action. In what seems […]
What Copyright Protections Do Choreographers Have Over Their Work?
When choreography is created, is it protected by copyright? Yes and no. JaQuel Knight is facing this question today in his journey to copyright his iconic choreographic work with artists like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. Thanks to U.S. copyright law, the process has not been easy. Through a partnership with the Dance Notation Bureau, […]
What Makes a TikTok Dance Go Viral?
Kara Leigh Cannella, a senior dance major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, was scrolling through TikTok one day this fall, when she came across a sound that caught her attention. It was a 15-second clip called “HOOPLA,” by the user known as @kyleyoumadethat, and it instantly made her want to dance. She […]
12 Childhood Pics and Videos That Prove These Stars Were Born to Dance
When you hear names like Maria Kochetkova, Sutton Foster and Robbie Fairchild, you immediately picture flashes of them as the fully-formed, phenomenal performers they are today. But even when they were kids, they had a glimmer of their future star power, giving a glimpse of what was to come. Thankfully for Instagram, we’ve got the […]
Learn Center Stage's Iconic Jazz Choreo From Susan Stroman Herself
If you’ve ever wanted to master the iconic jazz-class combo from Center Stage, now’s your chance. In celebration of the movie’s 20th anniversary, choreographer Susan Stroman is teaming up with Broadway Dance Center and Open Jar Studios to lead a tutorial on the infectious “Higher Ground” routine for the first time ever. Join Stroman, a […]
“P-Valley” Star Brandee Evans Brings Legit Dance Chops to the Show
Brandee Evans owes her dance career to one triple pirouette she turned as a high school senior. The actress and dancer was auditioning for the University of Memphis dance team. A full scholarship was on the line, and without it, she couldn’t afford the university. Evans spent hours practicing on the concrete floor of her […]
These Two New Dance-Filled Flicks Are Getting Us Into the Holiday Spirit
Who couldn’t use a little extra holiday cheer this year? Netflix is stepping in with a double dose of heartwarming, dance-powered programs this November that celebrate the season. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey First up is movie-musical Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, dropping November 13. This new family flick is a fantastical journey, following a […]