From breaking barriers to making history, the performing arts continue to be a platform for resilience, inclusion, and impact.
Penn State’s 53rd THON shattered records, raising $17.7 million for childhood cancer research, as 700 student dancers stood for 46 hours in a moving display of perseverance and community. Meanwhile, Texas Ballet Theater makes history with International Woman, its first all-female choreographed production in over 20 years, spotlighting gender disparities in ballet while celebrating visionary artists. Similarly, Jennifer Jones, the first Black Rockette in 62 years, reflects on her trailblazing journey in her upcoming book, Becoming Spectacular, sharing her experiences from the 1988 Super Bowl halftime show to confronting systemic challenges in the performing arts.
All of these stories and more are right at your fingertips, all you have to do is scroll!
Amelia Rudolph’s epiphany while hiking in Yosemite led her to merge her passions for dance and climbing, creating Bandaloop, a pioneering vertical dance company that blends contemporary movement with climbing techniques on natural and urban landscapes. Now under artistic director Melecio Estrella, Bandaloop brings its gravity-defying choreography and ecological ethos to Broadway’s Redwood, continuing its mission to connect art, nature, and activism.
Penn State’s 53rd THON raised a record-breaking $17.7 million for childhood cancer research and family support, with 700 student dancers standing and dancing for 46 hours straight to benefit Four Diamonds charity. The event, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, celebrated survivors like 13-year-old Kionne Abrams while uniting thousands in a powerful display of hope, resilience, and community.
For the first time in its 60-year history, Texas Ballet Theater is presenting International Woman, a mixed-repertoire production entirely choreographed by women, featuring six works, including
newly commissioned pieces—the first by women in over 20 years. The groundbreaking program highlights ongoing gender disparities in ballet choreography while celebrating female voices, with contributions from renowned artists like Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Martha Graham, as well as local talents inspired by Graham’s iconic Lamentation.
Miriam Miller, recently promoted to principal dancer at New York City Ballet, captivates audiences not just with her striking physique and fluid movement but with an innate presence that feels both resolute and effortless. As she prepares for her debut in "Swan Lake," Miller reflects on her journey—balancing technical mastery with personal growth, embracing the confidence to dance freely, and ultimately fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Jennifer Jones, the first Black Rockette in 62 years, reflects on her groundbreaking journey in her upcoming book, Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette, releasing February 18, 2025. She shares her experience debuting at the 1988 Super Bowl halftime show, the industry's racial barriers, and her realization of the deep-rooted systemic challenges within the performing arts.
If You’re Around This Weekend
New York City Ballet’s full-length production of Swan Lake, choreographed by Peter Martins and inspired by the classic staging of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, showcases the company’s mastery of complex choreography at exhilarating tempos. Performances take place on Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 2, at 3 p.m.
If You Feel Like Watching
Portland’s renowned Jefferson Dancers are celebrating their 49th season by performing at the National High School Dance Festival in Pittsburgh through March 2. Representing Jefferson High School, they will showcase three original pieces to an international audience of students and performers.
If You Feel Like Listening
On episode 210 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast revisits the important topic of winning and losing in dance. Joined by IDA judge Robb Gibbs and mindset coach Emily Williams, the discussion explores how dancers can prepare for both outcomes and handle them with grace.
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