Hiplet is sweeping the nation. Between TedX, Refinery29, Desigual campaigns, Anna Wintour’s #madeforher fundraiser and the plethora of morning show spots, the hybrid dance craze—known for its sassy runway-style walks on pointe and crab-like bent-knee jazzy chassés—has gone viral. Hiplet is the brain child of Homer Hans Bryant, a former Dance Theatre of Harlem principal […]

Since moving from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to New York City in 2008, Dance Theater of Harlem’s Ingrid Silva has used her family’s recipes to energize her throughout the rehearsal day. That means lots of white rice, black beans, chicken and steak. While some consider this too heavy for dancing, for her, the concentrated nutrition […]

In this moment of history, choreographers of all walks of life are addressing racism and violence through dance. But this is not a new trend. For as long as this country has struggled with racial discrimination, dance has been a way to bring community together, a way to share a message and a way to […]

As a reigning ballerina of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ashley Murphy put in her time. A dancer of razor-sharp technique and plush musicality, she first joined the company before its 2004 disbanding—when Arthur Mitchell was in charge—and continued during its rebirth under Virginia Johnson. Murphy served as a bridge between the old and the new. […]

Like other little girls, you fall in love with ballet in a dark theater, and lean over to your mother to ask, “Can I do that?” But then you step into a world where no one resembles you—not the receptionist, your teacher, your classmates or the people in the posters on the wall. You feel […]

Misty Copeland’s well-chronicled journey to becoming the first female African American principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre has helped jumpstart conversations about racial representation in ballet companies. But how Copeland’s success may influence ballet training still remains to be seen. Of course, she’s already helped launch ABT’s Project Plié, which seeks to boost racial and […]

The Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer uses her weekend to work on problem areas.     Salvatto rehearsing in the DTH studios. Photo by Quinn Wharton, Courtesy Pointe.   Gabrielle Salvatto doesn’t let a moment go to waste. She sees every day as an opportunity to get stronger, and even keeps a Pilates reformer in […]

World premieres and stellar festivals fill April’s calendar. Burgess’ dancers in Homage. Photo by Mary Noble Ours, Courtesy Burgess.   DC Dreaming WASHINGTON, DC Science, history and research are the pride of the Smithsonian. Now, the world’s largest museum complex is also gaining a foothold in dance with its first artist in residence, Dana Tai […]