Wayne McGregor: Why Dance Should Embrace Technology

Sarah Jenkins · 2026-01-28

You know that feeling when you're in the studio, and you hit a creative wall? The music's playing, but your body just won't translate what's in your head. Well, what if I told you the solution might not be in another technique class, but in technology? That's exactly what visionary choreographer Wayne McGregor has been exploring for years. While many in our field view tech with suspicion—thinking it'll replace the human element—McGregor sees it as the ultimate creative partner. ### The Mind-Body-Tech Connection McGregor's approach isn't about replacing dancers with robots. Far from it. He uses technology to understand movement in ways we never could before. Motion capture, AI algorithms, virtual reality—these tools help him visualize patterns, analyze biomechanics, and push physical boundaries. Think about it. How many times have you tried to explain a movement quality that words just can't capture? Technology gives us a new vocabulary. It's like having a conversation with movement itself, where the technology translates between your intention and the dancer's execution.  ### Practical Applications for Studios So how does this translate to your studio or rehearsal space? You don't need a million-dollar budget to start integrating tech. Here's where you can begin: - Use simple video analysis apps to break down movement patterns - Experiment with projection mapping to enhance performance environments - Try motion capture apps (yes, there are affordable ones) to study alignment - Incorporate wearable tech to monitor dancer fatigue and prevent injury These tools aren't about creating flashy gimmicks. They're about deepening our understanding of the art form we love. ### Overcoming the Fear Factor I get it. Technology can feel cold and impersonal in an art form built on human connection. But McGregor's work shows us something different. When he collaborates with neuroscientists and programmers, he's not diluting dance—he's expanding its possibilities. "Technology doesn't replace intuition," he might say if we were chatting over coffee. "It illuminates it." Remember when ballet masters first used mirrors in the studio? Some probably thought that was too technical, too removed from pure feeling. Now we can't imagine training without them. Today's technologies are just the modern equivalent—new mirrors showing us different angles of our art. ### Making It Work for You The key is balance. Technology should serve your artistic vision, not dictate it. Start small. Maybe film a phrase and analyze it frame by frame with your dancers. Notice how their understanding deepens when they can see what you see. Or use simple apps to create digital mood boards that inspire your next piece. The goal isn't to become a tech expert overnight. It's about finding tools that enhance your creative process. At the end of the day, McGregor's message is simple: don't fear what you don't fully understand. Explore it. Play with it. See how it might open doors you didn't even know were there. Because here's the truth—technology isn't changing whether dance will survive. It's changing how dance will evolve. And as choreographers and educators, we get to be part of that evolution. We get to decide how these tools help us tell human stories in new, more profound ways. So next time you feel that creative wall approaching, maybe look beyond the studio mirror. The future of dance isn't just in our bodies—it's in our willingness to embrace every tool that helps us understand those bodies better.