Chloe Arnold

I am absolutely obsessed with the work of Chloe Arnold. Chloe Arnold is the master mind behind Syncopated Ladies. She is a perfect example of Black Girl Magic. Her work is help bringing tap back into visibility . By that I mean people who are not dancers feel connected to it and are sharing it via social media and openly discussing it. Not that tap died, but her work is being more widely digested.

It is not surprising that Chloe Arnold has been nominated for an Emmy. Her choreography experiments with various rhythms and sparks social change. Her use of the #TAPintoEQUALITY theme is genius. I think she is a prime example of how one can stay true to themselves as a choreographer and use dance to promote social justice. Arnold also uses primarily dancers of color in her companies. The diversity of her company gives new life to her themes and leaves a memorable impact on her viewers.

I am specifically inspired by Arnold’s new choreography on the brother company to Syncopated Ladies, Chloe Arnold’s Apartment 33. The piece” “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere” features three men tap dancing to “Glory” by John Legend featuring Common. I think the piece is beautifully presented. Three Black men wearing all white perform Arnold’s choreography with such vulnerability. The three move between dancing in unison and individually. I think this a beautiful visualization of the coexisting narrative of individual struggles and community struggles facing Black men. The video and choreography calls for justice as those in the community and dance fall.

Arnold’s previous piece “Rise Up” also features overt social justice themes. Arnold and four other women dressed in all white (I’m seeing a theme!) and red shoes perform on a roof. The choreography includes many forward bends of the torso to symbolize pain and crying. The women dance on separate platforms and then come together holding hands. Arnold uses this physical connection to communicate unity. The piece also contains a moment of hope and joy to show what comes from equality.

Arnold is a large influence for me as an individual and my work. I think she is an amazing technician and activist. I can’t wait to follow the rest of her career and see how she continues to change the world.