Tap dance, an art form that transforms sound into visible rhythm, is more than just steps; it’s a diary etched in beats. Each shuffle, stomp, and wing narrates a story of dedication, innovation, and passion. To truly understand tap dance, we must delve into the lives of its practitioners, reading their journeys like pages from a diary. These artists, with their rhythmic vocabularies and percussive narratives, offer us a unique insight into the heart of this dynamic art form.
Ayodele Casel, hailed by The New York Times as a “Biggest Breakout Star” and celebrated by The New Yorker for her “fine-grained musicianship,” embodies this diary concept perfectly. Her journey, beginning in the Bronx and blossoming in Puerto Rico, is a testament to the power of storytelling through tap. Casel’s work, deeply rooted in identity, culture, and communication, speaks volumes about her artistic ethos. Her piece, While I Have the Floor, performed at City Center, is a powerful solo narrative, a page from her rhythmic diary shared with the world.
Image alt text: Ayodele Casel performing a dynamic tap routine on a brightly lit stage, showcasing her artistry and rhythmic precision.
Casel’s collaborations further enrich her story. Her work with Torya Beard on Really Rosie for Encores! Off-Center, and with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, demonstrates her versatility and collaborative spirit. Launching City Center On the Move with O’Farrill and Beard, an initiative bringing art to New York neighborhoods, showcases her commitment to community engagement and making tap accessible to all. Gregory Hines’s praise of Casel as “one of the top young tap dancers in the world” underscores her significant impact and the compelling narrative she crafts through each performance.
Torya Beard herself is another compelling chapter in the diary of tap. As a creative director, strategist, and arts educator, Beard’s multifaceted career reflects a deep belief in the intersection of creativity and social justice. Her role as director of Ayodele Casel’s Diary of A Tap Dancer directly connects her to our central theme. Beard’s work on projects ranging from The First Noel with the Classical Theatre of Harlem to Idina Menzel’s World Tour reveals a diverse and impactful career, each project a page in her own artistic diary. Her involvement with A BroaderWay Foundation, tall poPpy, and Original Tap House further illustrates her dedication to fostering creativity and community.
Image alt text: Torya Beard, a creative director and arts educator, pictured in a reflective pose, embodying her thoughtful approach to art and community engagement.
The diary of tap extends to artists like Starinah “Star” Dixon, an assistant director and choreographer with M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Her journey within the renowned tap company and guest appearances with Michelle Dorrance’s Dorrance Dance and Savion Glover’s All Funk’d Up highlight her significant presence in the contemporary tap scene. Dixon’s teaching and performing at prestigious tap festivals across the country mark her as a vital voice, contributing her unique rhythmic language to the ongoing tap narrative.
Andre Imanishi, a 2020 National YoungArts winner, represents the exciting future of tap. His performances at The Joyce Theater and collaborations with artists like Cartier Williams and Ayodele Casel demonstrate his rising star. Imanishi’s “tenacious approach to training” and “passion for hoofing” speak to the dedication required to write a meaningful entry in the diary of tap, highlighting the rigorous practice and artistic drive that define these artists.
Image alt text: Andre Imanishi executing a complex tap step during a stage performance, showcasing his youthful energy and dedication to the art form.
Lisa La Touche, co-founder of Training Dayz and founder of Tap Phonics, adds an international dimension to our diary. Her global reach as a performer, choreographer, and educator underscores the worldwide appeal of tap. La Touche’s recent credits, including Shuffle Along choreographed by Savion Glover, place her within the lineage of tap masters, each project adding pages to her extensive and influential diary.
Ted Louis Levy, a Broadway veteran from Black & Blue and a collaborator on Jelly’s Last Jam, represents the historical depth of tap. His Tony and Drama Desk nominations highlight his significant contributions to theater and tap choreography. Levy’s work in Spike Lee’s Malcom X and PBS’ Precious Memories (Emmy Award) demonstrates his impact across various media, each credit a richly detailed entry in his decades-long diary of tap excellence.
Michela Marino Lerman, a globally sought-after tap artist, embodies the creative spirit of tap. Her collaborations with music luminaries like Jon Batiste, Savion Glover, and Wynton Marsalis showcase the intrinsic link between tap and music. Lerman’s diverse projects as a performer, choreographer, producer, and director mark her as a dynamic force, constantly writing new and innovative pages in her ever-evolving tap diary.
Anthony Morigerato, an Emmy-nominated choreographer and artistic director, represents the contemporary evolution of tap. As executive producer of AM Dance Productions and co-artistic director for American Tap Festival and Operation: Tap, Morigerato is shaping the future of tap. His dedication to teaching and choreographing worldwide amplifies his influence, each endeavor adding layers to his impactful diary of tap leadership.
Through these artists, we see the multifaceted diary of tap dance unfold. It’s a diary filled with rhythm, passion, dedication, and innovation. It’s a living document, constantly being written and rewritten with every step, every performance, and every artist who dedicates their life to this compelling art form. The Diary Of A Tap Dancer is a testament to the enduring power and evolving narrative of tap dance itself.
