Speaking in Dance

An exploration of movement and choreography, chosen by The Times’s dance critic, Gia Kourlas.

Watch: The Solo of ‘Solitude’
Click through as Joseph Gordon performs a section from Alexei Ratmansky’s new dance for New York City Ballet, a reaction to the horrors of the war in Ukraine.
By Gia Kourlas and Stephan Alessi
CreditStephan Alessi for The New York Times
Watch Martha Graham’s Dance of Empowerment
In 1936, Graham choreographed this scorching response to the rise of fascism.
By Gia Kourlas
CreditMohamed Sadek for The New York Times
Where Subway Dancers Practice Their Art
“You are the center of your own world. Any space is important,” the Congolese choreographer Faustin Linyekula told members of It’s Showtime NYC.
By Gia Kourlas
CreditShawn Brackbill for The New York Times
How the Rockettes Fall Like Dominoes
Dancers fall. Sometimes, it’s intentional.
By Gia Kourlas
CreditAdam Golfer for The New York Times

Rugged, Physical Work With Durability
In Abby Zbikowski’s “Radioactive Practice,” a dancer says, “You’re seeing survival and community in real time.”
By Gia Kourlas
Telling a Story With Percussive Dance
Watch a portion of “Drumfolk,” the Step Afrika! show now at the New Victory Theater.
By Gia Kourlas
Migrating Across the Waters, Shoulder to Shoulder
Watch a portion of Keone and Mari Madrid’s “Beyond Babel.”
By Gia Kourlas
A Spinning Top in ‘Rodeo’
The New York City Ballet principal Daniel Ulbricht’s solo in this Justin Peck ballet is all about momentum — and clarity.
By Gia Kourlas
Menace Moving Through the Body
John Kelly plays the Devil in “L’Histoire du Soldat,” with choreography by Robert La Fosse.
By Gia Kourlas
Exploding Out of Shapes
Michael Trusnovec dances part of a solo in “Episodes” that George Balanchine made for Paul Taylor.
By Gia Kourlas
Complex Rhythms but No Music
Watch a portion of Melinda Ring’s “Strange Engagements,” created from improvisations.
By Gia Kourlas
In a Meditative Zone
New York City Ballet principals Joseph Gordon and Lauren Lovette dance part of a pas de deux from Balanchine’s “Stravinsky Violin Concerto.”
By Gia Kourlas
Lifting Off in ‘Porgy and Bess’
Watch a portion of Camille A. Brown’s choreography for the production at the Metropolitan Opera.
By Gia Kourlas
This Mortal Clay
Faye Driscoll performs the section of her piece “Space” that explores murder, death and mourning.
By Gia Kourlas