Apr 13 – 15, 2023
Thu – Sat | 8pm

Six World Premiere Commissions embody the future of tap dance, running the gamut from classic hoofing to hip-hop and interpreting musical styles ranging from live jazz to house music. 

Brinae Ali and Gerson Lanza perform their Hoofer’s Memory Lab trio, featuring Ali on vocals with a live band. Caleb Teicher and Naomi Funaki choreograph Little Things to the strains of a toy piano. Interlaced by Jared Alexander and Tomoe “Beasty” Carr spotlights dub, house, and Latin styles. Amanda Castro and Ayodele Casel create a powerful women’s quintet. Michelle Dorrance crafts a smooth solo to Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” for Dario Natarelli. And Casel expands Where We Dwell, her 2021 Fall for Dance Commission created with director Torya Beard and musician Crystal Monee Hall, that The New York Times called “a kaleidoscope of vibrant dancing bodies.”

“A tap dancer and choreographer of extraordinary depth”
—The New York Times

2023 Doris Duke Artist Award winner Ayodele Casel is one of the world’s great tap talents, beloved for her musicality, strength, and fluid, generous style. As the second featured artist-curator in our Artists at the Center series, Casel has curated this one-of-a-kind evening to reflect the diversity, power, and expanding horizons of this percussive dance form.

Curated by Ayodele Casel
Directed by Torya Beard

ACT ONE

Hoofer’s Memory Lab (World Premiere)
Choreography by Brinae Ali and Gerson Lanza
Music by Brinae Ali, Memories/Convict’s Soliloquy
Dancers: Brinae Ali, Gerson Lanza, and Cyrah L. Ward
Musicians: Anibal César Cruz, piano; Raul Reyes, bass; Senfuab Stoney, percussion

Little Things (World Premiere)
Choreography by Caleb Teicher and Naomi Funaki
Music by Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher, “Toy Piano” from More Forever
Dancers: Jared Alexander, Torya Beard, Ayodele Casel, Amanda Castro, Naomi Funaki, and Caleb Teicher
Musician: Caleb Teicher, piano

Interlaced (World Premiere)
Choregraphy by Jared Alexander and Tomoe “Beasty” Carr
Music by Atajazz, “Fox Tooth (Kaytronik Floss Dub)”; Karizma, “The Damn Thing”; The Latin Project, “Lei Lo Lai”
Dancers: Jared Alexander, Tomoe “Beasty” Carr, Jai'Quin Coleman, Izaiah Montaque Harris, and Roukijah Rooks

Untitled World Premiere
Choreography by Ayodele Casel and Amanda Castro
Music by Ashni, “Honey”
Dancers: Ayodele Casel, Amanda Castro, Naomi Funaki, Khadijah Siferllah-Griffin, and Dre Torres

The Man I Love (World Premiere)
Choreography by Michelle Dorrance and Dario Natarelli
Music by Ira Gershwin, “The Man I Love”
Dancer: Dario Natarelli
Musicians: Derek Louie, cello; Anibal César Cruz, piano; Raul Reyes, bass; Senfuab Stoney, percussion

ACT TWO

Where We Dwell (Expanded 2021 Fall for Dance Commission)
Choreography by Ayodele Casel
Original Music by Crystal Monee Hall
Music by Cole Porter, “Begin the Beguine”; George & Ira Gershwin, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “Summertime”

Dancers: Jared Alexander, Ayodele Casel, Amanda Castro, Naomi Funaki, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Quynn Johnson, Gerson Lanza, Hank Smith, and Dre Torres

Musicians: Crystal Monee Hall, vocals; Anibal César Cruz, piano; Raul Reyes, bass; and Senfuab Stoney, percussion

Cast and programming subject to change

Leadership Support
Lynne and Richard Pasculano Fund for Programming and Education

Major Support for dance at New York City Center

Major Support for Artists at the Center


Arlene Shuler Artistic Innovation Fund

Support for new dance works at New York City Center
Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

Support for the music commission of Where We Dwell is provided by
Joan and Charles Gross

Photo by Matthew Murphy

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
Mar 23 – 26, 2023

THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
Mar 30 – Apr 1, 2023