Melissa Toogood (left) in rehearsal with Pam Tanowitz’s dancers
When we watch our favorite dancers onstage, it’s hard not to wonder what their lives are like outside the theater. And the bigger the fan you are, the more details you want: Where do they eat, take class, live, work and generally exist when they’re not performing? Who are their friends and loved ones? What does their streetwear look like? I guess it’s pretty nosy of us, but all I can say is I’m glad Dance Magazine knows their audience. In their new web series, “Behind the Curtain,” they deliver all those everyday life details and more.
In each episode, DM follows an established dancer during a day in his or her life. Plus, they’ve captured some gorgeous original footage in classes and rehearsals. Besides being a tantalizing peak at an artist’s personal life, it’s a reminder of the dedication (and long days) it takes to maintain a professional career.
The debut episode follows former Cunningham dancer Melissa Toogood during a full day as a freelancer in NYC. The first thing I notice is that she and her husband wear adorable matching hats when they leave their Brooklyn apartment. She hits up morning Pilates, then takes a Cunningham class at City Center before leading rehearsal for Pam Tanowitz, who she works for as rehearsal director. Toogood regularly teaches Cunningham classes, too, but admits she loves coaching most of all. “I like teaching technique, but I prefer addressing the interpretation of movement,” she says. “I want to help them figure out the best way to do the movement in their bodies.”
Toogood is featured in a story and photo essay in the June issue of DM. We can’t wait to see who will be spotlighted next!
Watch Toogood’s “Behind the Curtain” episode here.
Photo by Jim Laffery for Dance Magazine
