Interdisciplinary artist, choreographer and filmmaker Jade Charon made this dance film, “Recharge,” while earning her MFA in dance at the University of California, Los Angeles. It was the second video work she created speaking directly to the racial dialogue happening in Black America. “With social media being the catalyst for free viewership of death, calamity, […]

Repertory company directors have a uniquely challenging yet rewarding responsibility when it comes to planning out a season. Without a company namesake to draw from, a troupe’s artistic vision and reputation are cultivated through a collage of choreography contributed by outside artists. Whether reviving beloved classics or bringing in an up-and-coming voice for a world […]

When Kaitlyn Gilliland was an apprentice with New York City Ballet in 2006, choreographer Eliot Feld created Étoile Polaire for her, a 12-minute solo that predicted the person and artist Gilliland would eventually become—a force transitioning gracefully through different realms with a powerful sense of self. After leaving NYCB, Gilliland went on to have a […]

When choreographing a new work, finding the perfect title can be tricky. A title holds the power of a first impression. But the right words to capture the essence of a nonverbal piece of art can be elusive. Dance Magazine asked six choreographers about how they go about titling their works—and how they know when […]

For choreographers, leaving the “emerging” status comes with its own set of ups and downs. Luck, location and access to gatekeepers all factor into how the doors of opportunity open to arrive in that elusive middle place known as “mid-career.” Whether one works a decade to get there or is catapulted there after a quick […]

Starting a new job in any industry right now is intimidating. But in dance, where government restrictions due to the coronavirus crisis have made traditional classes, rehearsals and performances difficult if not impossible, it’s particularly challenging. Many dancers transitioning into new companies this season have not had the start they were expecting. Hannah Fischer is […]

As a choreographer, recognition brings opportunity. However, making a name for yourself comes with certain drawbacks. When audiences and funders have particular expectations, taking your work in a new direction is more than just an artistic risk: It can mean losing favor with the people you need to sustain your work. How can a choreographer […]

During my first year at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, there was a grad student in my ballet class who mystified me. At the end of almost every across-the-floor combination, he’d drop the classical positions and improvise for an additional count of eight, mixing hip-hop swagger with contemporary abandon. In ballet class! As a […]