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Diary of a Tap Dancer

Diary of a Tap Dancer

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December

Thursday

December 12

7:30PM ET

Friday

December 13

7:30PM ET

Saturday

December 14

7:30PM ET

Sunday

December 15

7:30PM ET

Tuesday

December 17

7:30PM ET

Wednesday

December 18

2PM ET

From: $50.00
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Wednesday

December 18

7:30PM ET

Opening Night

Thursday

December 19

7:30PM ET

Member Night

Friday

December 20

7:30PM ET

ASL Interpreted

[?] This performance will feature live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters live. All interpreters are trained professionals working with a Deaf ASL coach. Interpretation is visible from select seats. Please contact ticket services at ticketservices@amrep.org or 617-547-8300 to book.

If you are interested in seats for ASL Interpretation, email Access@amrep.org or call 617.547.8300.

Saturday

December 21

2PM ET

Audio Described

[?] During the performance, a trained describer inserts descriptions of critical visual elements: actions, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, settings, lighting, etc. Audio description is available at any seat in the theater via a wireless earphone available at the reception desk. Join us one hour pre-show for a tactile touch tour and pre-show description.

If you are interested in seats for Audio Description, email Access@amrep.org or call 617.547.8300.

Saturday

December 21

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Sunday

December 22

2PM ET

Open Captioned

[?] This performance will feature live open captioning of the show text on a stationary LED screen. Captioning is visible from select seats. Please contact ticket services at ticketservices@amrep.org or 617-547-8300 to book.

This performance will be sensory inclusive. If you are interested in seats for Open Captioning, email Access@amrep.org or call 617.547.8300.

Monday

December 23

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Thursday

December 26

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Friday

December 27

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Friday

December 27

7:30PM ET

From: $55.00
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Saturday

December 28

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Saturday

December 28

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Sunday

December 29

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Monday

December 30

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Tuesday

December 31

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Tuesday

December 31

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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January

Thursday

January 2

2PM ET

From: $35.00
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Thursday

January 2

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Friday

January 3

7:30PM ET

From: $35.00
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Saturday

January 4

2PM ET

Saturday

January 4

7:30PM ET

Ayodele Casel has spent her tap-dancing career not just chasing magic but creating it and sharing it.

The Boston Globe

Trailblazing tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel and longtime collaborator director Torya Beard (Chasing Magic, Funny Girl) return to A.R.T. this holiday season to share the joyful, resilient, and liberating spirit of tap. The electric new play weaves together dance, narrative, and song to reveal the power of reclaiming language, culture, and one’s own identity. This world-premiere production traces Ayodele’s life from her roots in The Bronx and Puerto Rico, while celebrating the extraordinary and often-overlooked women tap dancers who paved the way.

Recommended for ages 13+.

Written and Choreographed by Ayodele Casel
Directed by Torya Beard

Notable dates

Opening Night: 12/18
Member Night: 12/19 at 7:30PM
ASL Interpreted: 12/20 at 7:30PM
Audio Described: 12/21 at 2PM
Open Captioned: 12/22 at 2PM
Sensory Inclusive: 12/22 at 2PM

Production Support
Leslie and Howard Appleby

Press Coverage

Ayodele Casel taps her in white shoes against a black backdrop, while Arturo O’Farrill plays the piano off to the side.

“I really, really, really want people to hear and experience tap dancing in a different way. I want my audiences to know that this incredibly entertaining, exciting, and virtuoso thing they see on stage is really a deeply personal and profound message.”

Read full article

Ayodele Casel in a sparkly jacket lefts one leg in front of a studio background.

Casel builds community wherever she goes… [and] works to—in her own words—“decentralize and expand creative opportunities and broaden the way audiences interact with tap dance.”

Read full article

Explore

Essential Question

As we reflect on our past and look towards our future, whose shoulders are you standing on?

A.R.T. leads with inquiry and asks questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in a never-ending journey of learning and growth. For each production, the creative team, company, and Engagement team develop an Essential Question to guide work in the rehearsal room, onstage, and for engaging with audiences.

Credits

Creative Team

Written and Choreographed by

Ayodele Casel

Directed by

Torya Beard

Scenic Design

Tatiana Kahvegian

Costume Design

Camilla Dely

Lighting Design

Brandon Stirling Baker

Sound Design

Sharath Patel

Projection Design

Katherine Freer

Hair, Wig & Make-up Design

Earon Chew Nealey

Design Dramaturg and Artistic Advisor

Susan Hilferty

Music Composed by

Carlos Cippelletti

Ethan Pakchar

Dramaturg

Jesse Alick

Casting Director

Jason Thinger

Associate Director

Yasmine Lee

Music Director

Nick Wilders

Production Stage Manager

Erin McCoy

Cast

Ayodele Casel Headshot

Performer

Ayodele Casel

Ayodele Casel Headshot

Performer

Ayodele Casel

Naomi Funaki Headshot

Performer

Naomi Funaki

Naomi Funaki Headshot

Performer

Naomi Funaki

Afra Hines Headshot

Performer

Afra Hines

Afra Hines Headshot

Performer

Afra Hines

Quynn L. Johnson Headshot

Performer

Quynn L. Johnson

Quynn L. Johnson Headshot

Performer

Quynn L. Johnson

Funmi Sofola Headshot

Performer

Funmi Sofola

Funmi Sofola Headshot

Performer

Funmi Sofola

Liberty Styles Headshot

Performer

Liberty Styles

Liberty Styles Headshot

Performer

Liberty Styles

Annaliese Wilbur Headshot

Performer

Annaliese Wilbur

Annaliese Wilbur Headshot

Performer

Annaliese Wilbur

Ki’Leigh Williams Headshot

Performer

Ki’Leigh Williams

Ki’Leigh Williams Headshot

Performer

Ki’Leigh Williams

Eloia Peterson is the assistant stage manager.