Christy Bolingbroke on Revolutionizing Dance Choreography

Julia Wagner · 2026-05-14

### A New Era for Dance Choreography Christy Bolingbroke is a name you need to know if you're serious about dance. As the Founding Executive and Artistic Director of the National Center for Choreography in Akron, she's shaping the future of how we create and experience movement. I sat down with her to talk about her vision, the challenges facing choreographers today, and what it really takes to build a career in this field. ### Why the National Center for Choreography Matters Bolingbroke's work isn't just about one studio or one style. She's building an ecosystem that supports choreographers at every stage of their journey. Think of it as a home base for innovation in dance. The center provides resources, space, and a community that's desperately needed in a field where artists often work in isolation. What makes this place different? It's designed to be a hub where choreographers can experiment without the pressure of a final product. They can fail, iterate, and grow. That's rare in a world that's obsessed with polished performances and instant results. ### The Skills Every Choreographer Needs During our conversation, Bolingbroke highlighted a few key skills that separate the good from the great in this industry. Here's what she emphasized: - **Adaptability:** You need to pivot when a dancer gets injured or a venue falls through. - **Collaboration:** No one creates a masterpiece alone. You need to listen and lead at the same time. - **Resilience:** Rejection is part of the game. You have to keep going even when funding dries up or a piece doesn't land. These aren't just nice-to-haves. They're survival skills in a competitive field where the average dance class might cost $20 to $50 per session, and studio rental fees can run $30 to $100 per hour depending on location. > "The best choreographers I know are the ones who treat every rehearsal like a conversation, not a lecture." - Christy Bolingbroke ### How to Build a Career in Dance If you're a dance professional looking to level up, Bolingbroke's advice is straightforward. First, get clear on your why. Why do you choreograph? What story do you need to tell? That clarity will guide every decision you make, from the music you choose to the dancers you cast. Second, invest in your network. Attend workshops, join online communities, and don't be afraid to reach out to people you admire. The dance world is smaller than you think, and a single introduction can open doors you didn't even know existed. Finally, keep learning. The best choreographers study everything, not just dance. They read novels, watch films, and pay attention to architecture and fashion. That cross-pollination of ideas is what makes their work feel fresh and relevant. ### The Business Side of Choreography Let's be real: passion alone won't pay the bills. Bolingbroke stressed that choreographers need to think like entrepreneurs. That means understanding budgets, marketing, and how to pitch projects to funders. A typical grant application might ask for a detailed breakdown of expenses, from dancer stipends to costume rentals. If you can't speak that language, you're leaving money on the table. She also recommended diversifying your income streams. Teach classes, offer consulting, or license your work to other companies. The more irons you have in the fire, the more stable your career will be. ### Final Thoughts Christy Bolingbroke is proof that the future of dance is bright. She's building something that will support choreographers for generations to come. Whether you're a studio owner, a teacher, or a performer, there's a lesson here for you. The key is to stay curious, stay connected, and never stop moving forward.