The Dance Edit

Though top ballet schools are proactively hiring Black teachers, true inclusivity will require more work. As we look to a better future for ballet, we should consider its troubling emotional demands. The fate of "SYTYCD" remains unclear, but the show's impact on the dance world is undeniable. American Ballet Theatre soloist Gabe Stone Shayer joins to discuss how racism has shaped his career, and creating work that honors Black culture.

Chronic underfunding is making it even more difficult for Black dance organizations and artists to recover from the pandemic. The #QueertheBallet movement aims to empower queer female and nonbinary performers. "Framing Britney Spears" reveals how much of Spears' identity is wrapped up in her dancing body. Multifaceted dance artist Martha Nichols joins to discuss the importance of sitting with our discomfort and why we need to ask better questions.

Bria Bacon's open letters to "Dance Magazine," our sister publication, lay bare our own organization's failings. The Paris Opéra's diversity report reveals few surprises, but much work to be done. Young dancers are having honest conversations about ballet's deep-seated problems on TikTok. The Weeknd's Super Bowl halftime show prompts mixed reactions from the dance community. Dancer and educator Tamisha Guy joins to talk about financial literacy for dancers and how to make the dance world a...

Dancer Chanel DaSilva's testimony underscores the need to confront sexual misconduct in dance education. Controversies involving "The Bachelor" and ChloexHalle's Chloe Bailey reveal the policing of Black women's dancing bodies. Gymnast Nia Dennis' viral floor routines offer a compellingly dance-driven approach to gymnastics. Tiffany Rea-Fisher, artistic director of Elisa Monte Dance, joins to discuss the importance of dancer voices inside and outside the studio.

As dance institutions begin to address systemic racism, we need a better metric to measure their progress. An epic oral history of COVID at "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" reveals the harmfulness of just-dance-through-it culture. The dance world is very, very good at creating Bernie Sanders memes. Multi-disciplinary maker Trey McIntyre joins to discuss his innovative digital dance venture, FLTPK.

As we enter a new political era, the hosts discuss why government support of the arts is a must, how the Biden administration might best help the arts world, and the pros and cons of New York State's arts revival plan. Harry Styles' choreographer reveals the dance inspirations for the "Treat People With Kindness" video. Erin Pride, host of The Dance Boss Podcast, joins to discuss strategies for online "dancepreneurs."

Figure skater Elladj Baldé's viral videos play on the complex relationship between dance and skating. The entertainment industry continues to undervalue its dance artists. Actor Mads Mikkelsen revisits his professional dance past for the film "Another Round." Commercial dance standout Dana Wilson, host of the podcast "Words That Move Me," joins to discuss the lessons the dance world has (hopefully) learned from 2020.

"Tiny Pretty Things" and "On Pointe" present starkly different pictures of ballet. Point Park University is developing a mental health program for dance students. A COVID-created "great cultural depression" looms, but as we begin 2021, there's reason for hope. Multi-hyphenate talent Jared Grimes joins to talk about choreographing the Encores! revival of "The Tap Dance Kid."

Happy new year, dance friends. In this special holiday episode, we revisit three of our favorite voice memos from 2020: messages from Phil Chan, Silas Farley, and Denise Saunders Thompson. (Next week, we'll be back to our regular format.)

Happy holidays, dance friends. In this special episode, we revisit three of our favorite voice memos from the past year: messages from Omari Wiles, Ephrat Asherie, and Stella Abrera and Sascha Radetsky. Next week, we'll have the second part of our 2020 retrospective.

The dance world pays tribute to legend Ann Reinking after her death at age 71. Dancer Chloé Lopes Gomes' allegations of racism at Staatsballett Berlin reveal the depth of ballet's inequities. TikTok's #Ratatousical is getting an IRL performance. Kim Bears-Bailey, Philadanco's new artistic director, joins to discuss how she'll honor and build on founder Joan Myers Brown's legacy.

Breaking will be in the 2024 Olympics, reigniting debates about whether dance is a sport. 10 years after the premiere of "Black Swan," dance artists are still feeling a lot of feelings about the film. David Hallberg's journey to the helm of The Australian Ballet reveals the precariousness of dancer identity. NCCAkron leader Christy Bolingbroke joins to discuss evolving our thinking about the business side of dance.

The Met Opera's offer of pandemic paychecks in exchange for longer-term pay cuts raises eyebrows. Public health concerns push dance companies to reimagine "The Nutcracker." COVID might be shifting dance away from larger cities. Disabled dancer and choreographer Alice Sheppard joins to discuss access as a creative force and building a more just future for the arts.

In our short but sweet Thanksgiving week special, the hosts talk about the dance events and trends that helped them survive 2020. Happy Thanksgiving, dance friends!

Two essential articles by Black artists propose ways for dance to work toward equity. The pandemic edition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will include a surprising amount of dance. TikTok's crowdsourced "Ratatouille" musical just might be the future of Broadway. Martha Graham principal Lloyd Knight joins to discuss the power of dancer voices and his upcoming online performance, InterMission.

Dancing broke out across the country both before and after Joe Biden's election victory. Choreographer JaQuel Knight hopes to revolutionize commercial dance via copyright protection. Musicals are once again the toast of Hollywood. In our first interview, we get (way) into it with choreographer and artistic director Kyle Abraham.

The hosts recommend dance content that's helped them avoid and/or process their election feelings. Staatsballett Berlin mounts a (short-lived) COVID adaptation of "Giselle." Choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie leaves a message for the dance community.

#JoyToThePolls brings dance to people waiting in voting lines, while raising awareness about voter suppression. Critiques of Kamala Harris' campaign-trail dancing illustrate poisonous double standards. This year's series of crises is forging dancer-activists. Choreographer, teacher, and advocate Cat Cogliandro leaves a message for the dance community.

This year's Tony nominations raise questions about how the awards might better reflect the evolving theater industry. Dr. Wendy Ziecheck helps dance companies work safely through quarantine. Two ballet companies pioneer two very different pandemic performance models. Choreographer and educator Sidra Bell leaves a message for the dance community.

The extension of Broadway's shutdown forces dancers to make difficult choices, and prompts some venues to ask whether they should be allowed to reopen earlier. Confronting racism regularly in their creative work can have a profound effect on Black dancers' mental health. Ballerina Kathryn Morgan reveals she left a top ballet company following a series of weight-based casting decisions. Tap icon Dormeshia leaves a voice message for the dance community.