Ellenore Scott, Choreographer, Director, and Content Creator, Shares Her Lifelong Relationship with Dance

I can’t stop dancing. I mean that physically and metaphorically. And maybe spiritually, too. I tell anyone who will listen that I’ve been dancing since before I was born, which is 100 percent true.

My mother, Michelle Ramos, was a dancer herself, and swears that once I heard the music start for whatever show she was performing in, she would feel me ball up tight in her stomach, ready for the thrashing to begin. Apparently, she danced so full-out that people thought I was a pillow stuffed in her costume. No! No, I was in there dancing too! In fact, my father was also a dancer, so naturally it’s in my blood. Dance is pas de bourrée-ing up and down my veins as you read this.

Later on in life, I would discover that I loved making dances rather than performing them, but that doesn’t stop me from turning on my favorite playlist and busting a move while I clean my apartment. For me, inspiration can strike at any moment. I apologize to all the commuters who have to witness me dance while on the 1 train in New York City, or while in line for an iced coffee, or while grabbing drinks at intermission during a Broadway musical. I literally cannot stop dancing.

I really try to keep a childlike joy in my approach. Even during those hectic months last year when I was working as the principal choreographer on both Mr. Saturday Night and the revival of Funny Girl—two Broadway shows that opened within three days of each other—even then, as I was sprinting the 11 blocks between the August Wilson and the Nederlander, shoving a tomato-and-cheese Pret sandwich into my face, I never forgot how wonderful a life full of dance can be.

Every job I take on is a way for me to learn more about dance, movement, and my relationship to them. Dance is truly the longest and most stable relationship I’ve ever had. She has been there for me during my highest of highs and my lowest of lows. She can make me cry or make me laugh, and I truly feel like I was put on this earth to learn as much as I can from her. For that, I am forever grateful. I cannot stop learning, I cannot stop moving, and I cannot stop dancing. That is why I dance. Periodt.