Partnering in dance requires trust, coordination, and adaptability. Whether lifting, being lifted, or working in counterbalance, dancers must navigate shared weight, timing, and physical connection. The demands can vary widely—catching a partner midair in a contemporary duet, initiating a fast-moving spin in ballroom, or sustaining balance through a classical pas de deux all require distinct […]

A few years ago, I went to a dance performance that made me feel physically unsafe, where sweaty performers crawled on top of me and the other audience members. I worried for the performers’ safety, too—at one point one of them accidentally kicked and broke a house light, sending glass shards flying. In the time […]

Between balancing dance classes with academic requirements and rehearsal schedules with studying, college dance students have plenty on their minds. What shouldn’t be added to that list? Whether the studio floors they’re spending their days on will cause injury or discomfort. Thanks to Harlequin Floors, students and professors at a growing number of colleges know […]

Floors are rarely front of mind when we think about the components of dance. Pointe shoes, sure, maybe even a bedazzled costume or shining ballet barre—but dance flooring company Stagestep knows all these things rest, literally, on top of a good floor.  “It’s the foundation of what every dancer performs on,” says Bill Goldberg, Stagestep’s technical services […]

Beyond the delicately winged foot that goes in and out of favor in ballet’s arabesque, performers may be asked to wing and/or sickle their feet as part of choreography. While winging (toes pointed outward) and sickling (toes pointed inward) involve relatively small ranges of motion, to execute them safely requires proper strength and an understanding of the anatomy of the foot and ankle.

Every year, more than 500 medical practitioners and scientists dedicated to the support and care of dancers gather for the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science conference. As part of this year’s event held in Columbus, Ohio, Dance Media and Harlequin Floors sponsored a panel discussion with world-renowned experts on the biggest concerns they […]

Last month, Yann Arnaud, an aerialist with Cirque de Soleil, died after plummeting to the stage in VOLTA. He was performing an aerial straps routine in Tampa, Florida, when one of his hands slipped and he fell 20 feet. Professional dancers are often asked to perform stunts, some of them extremely dangerous. Even when the […]