A colorful collage of the 2024 25 to Watch, dancers from a breadth of dance styles.

Introducing Our 2024 “25 to Watch”

Electric performances, thought-provoking choreography, buzzy bodies of work—the artists on our annual list of dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies poised for a breakout share an uncanny knack for arresting attention. They’ve been turning heads while turning what’s expected—in a performance, from a career trajectory—on its head. We’re betting we’ll be seeing a lot more of them this year, and for many years to come.

On a dark stage, a female dancer in a warm orange leotard and short skirt leaps beside a lunging male dancer dressed in a short sleeved shirt and fitted pants in the same color. Both look over their front arms, in first arabesque, towards stage right.

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Enduring Impact

When Robert Garland becomes artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem on July 1, he follows in the footsteps of founder Arthur Mitchell and retiring artistic director Virginia Johnson. He’s stepping into an important role: In addition to being a leading classical company that’s toured worldwide, DTH has had a significant impact on the field of dance and the larger American cultural landscape.

A dancer whose arms are encased in an almost skeletal suggestion of enormous wings is seated, their torso nearly touching the ground as they lean forward, wings curving upward and back against the black stage behind them.

7 Must-See Performance Picks Hitting Stages This Month

A long-awaited world premiere, a festival filled with experiments, two New York City mainstays and a trio of new works tackling environmental issues head-on—there are a lot of performances to be excited about this month, and our top picks are just the tip of the iceberg.

Chyrstyn Fentroy poses in tendu effacé devant, standing leg in plié. Her gaze is downturned as her épaulement shifts her torso over her working leg, downstage arm extending elegant and long beside her. She wears a pale purple classical tutu over tights and pointe shoes that match her skin tone.

Boston Ballet Principal Chyrstyn Fentroy Steps Into Her Power

Ballet didn’t take center stage for Boston Ballet principal Chyrstyn Fentroy until she was 18. Her late start, and the tenacity that helped her overcome it, would lead to an illustrious career with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Boston Ballet. With her crisp, clear-as-a-bell technique, radiant stage presence and spellbinding command of an audience, Fentroy’s uncertain beginning is difficult to imagine now.