dance

Choreographer Justin Peck helped to reimagine 'West Side Story' for the 21st century

5:12am January 10, 2022

by Susan Stamberg

Six decades after the film "West Side Story" premiered, the legendary musical has been reimagined. Choreographer Justin Peck updated the dances of the original story.

Alvin Ailey dancers Solomon Dumas, Samantha Figgins and Belen Indhira Pereyra in Robert Battle's dance "For Four."

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings 2 dances made for the web to the stage

7:22pm December 01, 2021

by Jeff Lunden

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater shifted to streaming presentations online during pandemic. Now, two dances conceived for the web are included in the company's return to in-person performance.

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Arts

Neither the pandemic nor age can keep choreographer Twyla Tharp from her work

1:58pm November 19, 2021

by Terry Gross

Twyla Moves, a documentary by PBS American Masters, tells the story of the legendary choreographer, who got her start performing on subway platforms in the 1960s. Originally broadcast April 8, 2021.

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Left: Shelly C. Lowe, nominee for the chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Right: Maria Rosario Jackson, nominee for the National Endowment for the Arts chair

Arts

Here are the White House's picks to lead the National Arts and Humanities Endowments

5:09pm October 05, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

The White House has announced its nominees for the next Chairs of the National Arts and Humanities Endowments. If confirmed, the NEH pick would become the first Native American to become chair.

Calvin Royal III and Isabella Boylston perform "This Bitter Earth" at the 2018 Vail Dance Festival.

Arts

Dancer Calvin Royal III Takes Center Stage At ABT — And Beyond

5:10pm August 01, 2021

by Alexandra Starr

Royal is only the third Black dancer to be promoted to principal at the American Ballet Theatre — which is even more impressive when you know he didn't begin training in ballet until he was 14.

Faced with limited access to conventional stages, troupes like Contra-Tiempo are taking advantage of striking outdoor spaces at Jacob's Pillow this summer.

Arts

Rising From The Ashes, Jacob's Pillow Welcomes Back Dancers, Audiences

6:02pm July 18, 2021

by Jeff Lunden

Jacob's Pillow had a particularly tough 2020, closed by pandemic and struck by a fire that consumed one of its theaters. This summer the dance center rises from the ashes, literally and figuratively.

How A Bunch Of Boys Changed Ballet Forever

4:26pm June 16, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with director Chana Gazit and dancer Peter Anastos about the new film Ballerina Boys, which details the history of an all-male ballerina troupe founded in the '70s.

An undated photo of choreographer Anna Halprin teaching at her Marin County, Calif. studio.

Arts

Choreographer Anna Halprin, Who Redefined Dance As A Tool For Healing, Dies At 100

7:11pm May 25, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The groundbreaking California-based dancer and choreographer made high art, but also created works that were solidly for the community. She died at age 100.

Arts

Remembering NYC Ballet Principal Dancer Jacques D'Amboise

2:13pm May 14, 2021

by Terry Gross

D'Amboise, who died May 2, began dancing at 7 and joined the New York City Ballet at 15. He later founded the National Dance Institute, which teaches dance to children. Originally broadcast in 1989.

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Arts

Camille A. Brown: How Can We Tap Into Our Creative Expression Through Dance?

8:06am May 14, 2021

For Camille A. Brown, choreography unlocked a new way to understand her power as a dancer. She explains how social dance — and its origins — have allowed her to celebrate her creative identity.

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