One of Dance Magazine‘s 2020 “25 to Watch,” choreographer Jay Carlon has brought his transporting theatricality to film. In “BAGGAGE,” he shares the story of his parents’ immigration to the U.S. from the Philippines. The sound design by Alex Wand (who also composed and performs the music) includes interview recordings and voice messages from Carlon’s […]

When even a blink of the eyes is musical, you know the details of a work have been thoroughly thought through. In Madison Elliott’s “Empty Vessel,” directed by Taylor Yocum and set to Hobo Johnson’s “February 15th,” the camera only catches movement from the waist up, but every body part seen is strategically engaged—and every […]

Looking for a lesson on self-expression? Seven-year-old Adeline Kerry Cruz serves it up straight with her gripping performance in this film, titled “Sit Still.” Choreographed by krumper Russell “Gutta” Ferguson (Season 6 winner of “So You Think You Can Dance”) and directed by Vincent René-Lortie, the work captures the frustration, loneliness and vulnerability that just […]

Twyla Tharp is well-known for being a singularly no-nonsense artist. In this clip, you can see just how matter-of-factly she spoke about her own choreography even back in her 30s: She talks through each gesture of a phrase in the “Black Bottom Stomp” from her classic Eight Jelly Rolls, describing her step inspirations—from “shame on […]

The past year’s worth of pandemic-influenced art has convinced many dance artists to try their hands at filmmaking for the first time—and subsequently find out they have a knack for it. But what does it take to make a career out of dance filmmaking? The answer isn’t simple, but the necessary skills are, luckily, ones […]

As most theaters across the world remain closed, London’s contemporary dance hub Sadler’s Wells and cultural broadcaster BBC Arts have come together to produce a day-long digital dance festival on January 28. Dancing Nation will showcase 15 new and beloved works by world-class, U.K.-based companies and choreographers over three hour-long, pre-recorded segments. Highlights will include […]

What is it like to live in the world of dance power couple Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber? For this video, director/editor Adi Halfin handed the pair a camera to capture their relationship and life together both through documentary-style footage and improvised dance. The resulting footage is set to Asaf Avidan’s “Lost Horse.” This […]

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 […]