Somehow Galen Hooks Wrote, Composed, Directed and Choreographed a Dance Film

We’ve known for a while now that Galen Hooks is basically superwoman. She choreographs for huge stars, teaches mesmerizing class videos that go viral and somehow still finds time to give back to the dance community.

But her new short dance film, “Wait for Me,” shows just what a powerhouse talent she is. Featuring a star-studded cast including tapper Melinda Sullivan and “Single Lady” Ashley Everett, the film follows a series of couples who’ve been separated due to war. And Hooks pretty much single-handedly made the gorgeous film come together: she wrote, directed, choreographed, produced and edited it, and composed the haunting music.

We’re in awe of Hooks’ versatility and vision. But for her, the film is all about highlighting the dancers’ versatility. “I really liked showing that these artists are more than dancers,” Hooks told Dance Spirit. “The dance is almost secondary to the expressions. Dancers can be extremely compelling onscreen, without showing off technique. Their charisma alone can bring a lot to a character and I wanted to show that aspect of the artistry.”