“Should I watch it to get a sense of what happened, or should I go with my own vision and understanding of the culture?” That’s what choreographer Camille A. Brown was wondering in June, when she started work on the Broadway revival of the Antilles-themed musical Once on This Island. The 1990 show, directed originally […]

When we’re talking about the history of black dancers in ballet, three names typically pop up: Raven Wilkinson at Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Janet Collins at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Arthur Mitchell at New York City Ballet. But in the 1930s through 50s, there was a largely overlooked hot spot for black ballet […]

You know Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet. But other than those staples, you may not think of Philadelphia as a huge dance hub. We’re here to prove that Philly is filled with underrated dance talent—and these six companies are just the start. Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers Founded by Taiwan native Kun-Yang Lin, KYL/D uses eastern philosophies like Buddhism […]

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 […]

Just how expensive would it be to surprise your friends with 10 lords-a-leaping for the holidays? If the performers are men from Pennsylvania Ballet, it would cost exactly $5,508.70. While it would be much easier (and cheaper) to catch a run of PA Ballet’s Nutcracker, the high price tag is reason for dancers to celebrate. Why? Over […]