How does dance make me feel? Is it even a feeling, or is it a moment, a dream, a reality? I only know that I am myself fully when I am onstage dancing. That’s where I feel safe and right at home.

Electric performances, thought-provoking choreography, buzzy bodies of work—the artists on our annual list of dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies poised for a breakout share an uncanny knack for arresting attention. They’ve been turning heads while turning what’s expected—in a performance, from a career trajectory—on its head. We’re betting we’ll be seeing a lot more of them this year, and for many years to come.

As they prepared for the leadership transition, Virginia Johnson and Robert Garland spoke about their deep, shared history with Dance Theatre of Harlem, their commitment to continuing the work of Arthur Mitchell, and their hopes for the future of DTH’s company and school. 

Tai Jimenez spent 12 years as a principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has been chosen to lead the DTH School when its current director, Robert Garland, becomes the company’s artistic director.

When Robert Garland becomes artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem on July 1, he follows in the footsteps of founder Arthur Mitchell and retiring artistic director Virginia Johnson. He’s stepping into an important role: In addition to being a leading classical company that’s toured worldwide, DTH has had a significant impact on the field of dance and the larger American cultural landscape.

A long-awaited world premiere, a festival filled with experiments, two New York City mainstays and a trio of new works tackling environmental issues head-on—there are a lot of performances to be excited about this month, and our top picks are just the tip of the iceberg.

Ballet didn’t take center stage for Boston Ballet principal Chyrstyn Fentroy until she was 18. Her late start, and the tenacity that helped her overcome it, would lead to an illustrious career with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Boston Ballet. With her crisp, clear-as-a-bell technique, radiant stage presence and spellbinding command of an audience, Fentroy’s uncertain beginning is difficult to imagine now.

Bustling festivals, fresh premieres, unexpected team-ups—the dance scene is only burning brighter as we enter the final weeks of summer. Here are our top picks for August.