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LOS ANGELES – Sept. 24, 2026 – Following a star-studded inaugural celebration in 2025, the Dance Hall of Fame is set to welcome its next distinguished class of honorees, celebrating trailblazers whose work has left a lasting impact on the art of dance. The induction ceremony will take place at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Tickets are available for purchase on the Dance Hall of Fame website.

This year’s class of inductees honors ten luminaries whose contributions have shaped dance across generations and genres. They include Debbie Allen, George Balanchine, Toni Basil, Katherine Dunham, Savion Glover, Mandy Moore and the Nicholas Brothers, as well as three legends from the iconic film “West Side Story”: George Chakiris, Rita Moreno and Russ Tamblyn.

Each inductee represents a defining era and influence in dance:

• Debbie Allen: Debbie Allen, a BFA graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies, holds five honorary Doctorate degrees, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was named a Kennedy Center honoree and is an award-winning director/choreographer who has choreographed the Academy Awards a record 10 times. She has directed and choreographed for legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dolly Parton, Savion Glover and most recently Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues.” Ms. Allen received the Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s hit series “Fame,” the Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story,” and is a four-time Emmy Award winner in Choreography for “Fame” (twice), “The Motown 25th” and “Christmas on the Square.” She has also received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Movie Made for Television as Executive Producer of “Christmas on the Square,” and the Governor’s Award at the 73rd Emmys. Awarded 10 Image Awards as director, actress, choreographer and producer for “Fame,” “A Different World,” “Motown 25th,” The Academy Awards, “The Debbie Allen Special” and “Amistad,” she has also directed the best that TV offers, including “Scandal,” “How To Get Away With Murder,” “Jane The Virgin,” “Empire,” “Insecure,” “Ms. Pat” and Sam Jackson’s “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.” She currently serves as Executive Producing Director of “Grey’s Anatomy,” where she recurs as Dr. Catherine Fox. Ms. Allen’s most recent accomplishment is receiving the 2025 Governor’s Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. She is the daughter of poet Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew Allen, wife to NBA All-Star Norman Nixon, sister to Phylicia Rashad, Tex Allen and Hugh Allen, mother of Vivian and Thump, and grandmother of four. 

• George Balanchine: Widely regarded as the most influential choreographer of the 20th century, George Balanchine transformed classical ballet through his groundbreaking vision and helped establish the United States as a global center for dance. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, he entered the Imperial Ballet School at age nine and choreographed his first work at 16. After joining the legendary Ballets Russes in 1924, he became the company's principal choreographer, creating landmark ballets including “Apollo” and “Prodigal Son.” Following a move to the United States in 1933, Balanchine co-founded the School of American Ballet and Ballet Society, which later became the New York City Ballet, where he served as ballet master for more than three decades. He created 425 ballets, including “Serenade,” “Jewels,” “Agon” and “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” His collaborations with Igor Stravinsky redefined the relationship between music and movement, while his choreography continues to influence ballet worldwide. His honors include the inaugural Kennedy Center Honors, Presidential Medal of Freedom, France's Légion d'Honneur and recognition as the first choreographer inducted into the Entertainment Hall of Fame.

• Toni Basil: Toni Basil has redefined dance, music, television, film, video and the concert stage for more than six decades. Born into a vaudevillian family, she watched more than 1,000 stage shows from the wings of the Chicago Theater, laying the foundation for her career. She has choreographed 27 movies and collaborated on pop concerts and videos with Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Mick Jagger and David Byrne, among other legendary artists. In 1974, Basil and David Bowie made history creating "Rock Theater" for his iconic “Diamond Dogs” tour. A genre-bending visionary, she earned an Emmy nomination for fusing classical ballet and street dance. She created the group The Lockers, and with Don Campbell's dance, they established street dance as an American art form. Quentin Tarantino crowned her the "Goddess of Go-Go." Her honors include an Emmy, two Bob Fosse Awards, multiple video awards and Hip Hop International's "Living Legend of Hip Hop" award. Her gold and double platinum single "Hey Mickey" and Grammy-nominated videos are held in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and MoMA's dance calendar, and has been a top category on "Jeopardy!" A dance historian, Basil continues to perform and go viral into her ‘80s, proving that groundbreaking artistry has no expiration date.

• Katherine Dunham: Katherine Dunham was an internationally renowned anthropologist, dancer, choreographer and humanitarian whose groundbreaking work transformed American concert dance and established a new movement language rooted in African and diasporic traditions. Drawing on anthropological research throughout the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America, Dunham developed the polyrhythmic vocabulary known as the Dunham Technique. In 1931, she founded Ballet Negre, which later became the Katherine Dunham Company, which toured at least 57 countries during segregation. Company members, including Talley Beatty, Jean Leon Destine, Walter Nicks and Syvilla Fort, went on to establish dance companies, while Eartha Kitt became an acclaimed singer. Dunham also founded The Katherine Dunham School in New York City, influencing Alvin Ailey, Geoffrey Holder, Arthur Mitchell and Louis Johnson. She later created the Katherine Dunham Seminar in East St. Louis, Illinois. Dunham choreographed more than 150 ballets, films, operas and Broadway productions. She also collaborated with George Balanchine to choreograph “Aida” for the Metropolitan Opera. Her honors included the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, and the French Legion of Honor. The Library of Congress credits Dunham with creating “the first African American Concert Dance Technique.”

• Savion Glover: Savion Glover is a Tony Award-winning choreographer, performer and one of the most influential tap dancers of his generation, whose artistry has transformed American dance for more than four decades. After making his Broadway debut at age 10 in “The Tap Dance Kid,” Glover went on to perform in “Black and Blue” and “Jelly’s Last Jam,” earning Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. His credits include starring in and choreographing the groundbreaking Broadway musical “Bring in ’Da Noise, Bring in ’Da Funk,” earning the 1996 Tony Award for “Best Choreography” and helping redefine tap as a vehicle for storytelling and cultural expression. He has also choreographed Broadway’s “Shuffle Along,” films including “Happy Feet” and “Happy Feet 2,” and numerous television and live productions. Influenced by legendary tap artists including Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde and Charles “Honi” Coles, Glover developed his signature “free style hard core” style and continues their legacy through performance, choreography, education and mentorship. His contributions to dance have earned him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Montclair State University. 

• Mandy Moore: Mandy Moore is a multi-Emmy Award-winning choreographer, director and producer whose visionary work has redefined dance across film, television, live entertainment and the concert stage. A three-time Emmy winner with 15 nominations, Moore is best known for her groundbreaking choreography and producing on “So You Think You Can Dance,” her Emmy Award-winning work on “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” and as producer and choreographer of Taylor Swift’s record-shattering “The Eras Tour.” Her acclaimed film choreography includes the Academy Award-winning “La La Land,” as well as “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Babylon,” “Snow White” and “The Life of Chuck.” Moore has also choreographed for “Dancing with the Stars,” “Glee,” “American Idol,” “Modern Family” and “Kidding,” while creating live productions for Céline Dion, Shania Twain, “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Cirque du Soleil.” Most recently, she directed and choreographed the 2026 “Dancing with the Stars Tour,” and is set to choreograph the Broadway premiere of Dolly Parton’s new musical in 2027. Moore is a proud member of the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

• Nicholas Brothers: The Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold, were self-taught entertainers who emerged from the Harlem Renaissance to build one of the most extraordinary careers in entertainment history. Together they forged a gravity-defying tap technique, fusing ballet, jazz and breathtaking athleticism into a style entirely their own. Over the course of their careers, the brothers moved effortlessly across mediums and continents, starring in dozens of Hollywood films, headlining on Broadway and television, recording singing albums in multiple languages and captivating audiences on stages across the globe. Their legendary performance in the film “Stormy Weather,” filmed in a single take, remains one of the most celebrated dance sequences ever captured on film. Among their many honors are the Kennedy Center Honors, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a teaching residency at Harvard and Radcliffe and a Tony Award recognizing Fayard's choreography for “Black and Blue.” Their influence continues to resonate across generations of artists who followed.

Legends from the iconic film “West Side Story”:

• George Chakiris: George Chakiris is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning actor, singer and dancer whose remarkable career has spanned more than five decades across film, television, theater and music. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Bernardo in “West Side Story,” Chakiris brought a smoldering sensuality and silken, catlike movement to the role, forging a new archetype of the dancing antihero and earning both an Academy and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1962. Unknown as a key protégé of Jerome Robbins, he became one of the leading male dancers of his generation and an inspiration to many future male dancers. His film career includes “White Christmas,” “Brigadoon,” “The Young Girls of Rochefort” and “Diamond Head,” with co-stars including Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, Catherine Deneuve, Yul Brynner, Lana Turner, Claudia Cardinale and Marina Vlady. On stage, he starred in “Company” and “The Passion of Dracula,” working with choreographers including Robbins, Claude Thompson, Norman Main and Michael Bennett. Chakiris has been honored twice by France’s Ministry of Culture with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

• Rita Moreno: Rita Moreno is a legendary performer whose groundbreaking career has spanned more than eight decades across Broadway, film, television and music. One of the most celebrated entertainers of her generation, Moreno is one of only a select group of artists to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. She made her Broadway debut at age 13 before rising to international acclaim for her iconic performance as Anita in “West Side Story,” becoming the first Latina to earn an Academy Award. 60 years later, she co-starred and served as an Executive Producer of Steven Spielberg’s remake of the film. Her career encompasses more than 70 feature films, including the Fast & Furious franchise, as well as numerous television productions, such as Norman Lear’s remake of “One Day at a Time,” and several acclaimed stage performances. Moreno is a recipient of the Peabody Career Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honor, SAG Life Achievement Award, National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to name a few. She continues to perform, speak and inspire audiences across generations.

• Russ Tamblyn: Russ Tamblyn is an acclaimed actor, dancer, choreographer, director and artist whose career has spanned more than six decades. A Hollywood performer from childhood, Tamblyn became a worldwide sensation for his dancing and acting in MGM’s “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” where his musicality, championship tumbling and agility established him as one of Hollywood’s most distinctive young performers. His renowned acrobatic style shines in his unforgettable shovel dance in “The Fastest Gun Alive” and the title role in “tom thumb,” while his dramatic talents earned him an Academy Award nomination for “Peyton Place” and led to his iconic portrayal of Riff, leader of the Jets, in “West Side Story.” On stage, he performed opposite Chita Rivera in “Bye Bye Birdie” and appeared in “Cabaret,” “Follies” and “The Music Man.” Tamblyn later expanded his artistry into the fine arts, co-writing, choreographing and acting in Neil Young’s “Human Highway” and directing and choreographing Young’s “Greendale” tour. His remarkable career and creative journey are chronicled in his 2024 memoir, “Dancing on the Edge: A Journey of Living, Loving, and Tumbling Through Hollywood.”

The Dance Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, now named the “Dance Hall of Fame Shirley MacLaine Lifetime Achievement Award,” will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the inaugural Dance Educator Award recipient.

Honorees will be presented with awards generously donated to the Dance Hall of Fame Foundation by Lalique, a proud sponsor of the event. Created and designed in 1926 by Suzanne Lalique, daughter of the legendary René Lalique, the Tourbillons vase is handcrafted at the Lalique factory in Alsace, France, by passionate and skilled artisans. Reflecting the Lalique family’s extraordinary artistic legacy, its name, French for “whirlwind,” evokes the graceful movement and swirling forms that give the piece its distinctive energy and fluidity. In honor of the design’s centenary, Lalique will present the Tourbillons vase as the official Dance Hall of Fame award to each of this year’s inductees as a uniquely meaningful tribute to the artists whose creativity, artistry and cultural contributions have left an enduring legacy and continue to shape the future of dance.

“For the second consecutive year, Lalique is honored to sponsor the award presentation, recognizing and celebrating the exceptional accomplishments of the 2026 Dance Hall of Fame honorees,” said Lalique.

Dance Hall of Fame’s inaugural event marked a defining moment in the history of dance. Conceived by Emmy Award-winning choreographer and producer Anita Mann, seven-time Emmy-winning director and producer Louis J. Horvitz, alongside dance documentarians Melinda and Kurt Soderling, the Dance Hall of Fame is the first institution ever created to recognize the cultural impact of dance and its greatest contributors. Mann and Horvitz continue to guide the organization's mission alongside a distinguished board of 13 leaders in dance and entertainment, bringing this long-overdue vision to life: a global celebration of movement, creativity and legacy.

“The worlds of music and film have long had institutions honoring their greatest talents. Now, dance finally has its own Hall of Fame; a place to recognize the creativity, courage and brilliance that define this art form. It’s a privilege to honor these legends who have moved us all, both literally and emotionally,” said Mann. “Establishing this institution was long overdue, and this cements Dance Hall of Fame as the permanent home dance has always deserved. We look forward to new inductees each year and sharing their legacies to educate and inspire the generations of dancers, choreographers and creators who will follow in their footsteps.”

Mann and Horvitz are serving as executive producers of the ceremony alongside Jeff Thacker, a multi-award-winning television producer and five-time Emmy Award nominee as Executive Producer of “So You Think You Can Dance,” with Melinda and Kurt Soderling serving as producers. A five-time Emmy nominee, Mann has choreographed for icons including Elvis Presley, Cher, Michael Jackson and The Muppets, with her choreography appearing on The Academy Awards, “Solid Gold” and The Miss America Pageant. She is the longtime producer of one of Las Vegas' most enduring shows, “Fantasy.” Horvitz, a master of live television direction, has helmed the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors, earning acclaim for shaping many of entertainment’s most memorable televised moments.

The event will take place at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, an intimate 535-seat venue at the Santa Monica College of Performing Arts Center, promising another unforgettable night celebrating the artists who have shaped the language of movement. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available on the Dance Hall of Fame website, priced at $125 for Reserved, $250 for Gala Preferred and $500 for Gala VIP.

The mission of the Dance Hall of Fame Foundation 501(c)(3)

"The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation educates and engages future generations of dancers, choreographers, and creators. Grounded in the names and histories of those inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, the Foundation focuses on inspiring emerging artists; it is critical to the ongoing development of the art of dance and the strength of our global dance community that the next generation of artists feels empowered to create. The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation is committed to breaking barriers and providing the stage for dancers and choreographers to continue raising the barre."

About the Dance Hall of Fame

The Dance Hall of Fame is the first organization in history dedicated to honoring the most influential figures in dance across all genres and generations. Founded by Emmy-winning choreographer and producer Anita Mann, seven-time Emmy-winning director Louis J. Horvitz, and dance documentarians Melinda and Kurt Soderling, the Hall of Fame recognizes the artistry, innovation and cultural impact of dancers, choreographers and visionaries who have defined and advanced the world of dance. Through its annual induction ceremony, live performances and educational initiatives, the Dance Hall of Fame preserves the legacy of dance legends while inspiring future generations to move, create and dream. More information can be found on the Dance Hall of Fame website at dancehalloffame.org.

About BroadStage

BroadStage is a contemporary performing arts presenter in Santa Monica that energizes audiences and community through bold performances and personal connection. A proud partner of Santa Monica College, its primary venue is the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, home to the 535-seat Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, the intimate black box Edye and the indoor/outdoor Plaza. Under the leadership of Artistic & Executive Director Rob Bailis, BroadStage is expanding its artistic vision and venue footprint to celebrate shared humanity and the role the arts play in a diverse community, alongside educational programs for students and artists through its Artist in Residency Program, Community Field Trips and more.

Media Contacts

Stephanie Wilson | Richard Robinson

dancehof@wickedcreative.com | 702-868-4545

LOS ANGELES – Sept. 9, 2026 – The Dance Hall of Fame was created to recognize the cultural impact of dance and its greatest contributors and will induct its 2026 class of honorees with a ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available for purchase starting at noon PT today on the Dance Hall of Fame website. The full list of inductees will be revealed later this month at dancehalloffame.org.

Theinaugural event, held last December at The Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center, set a powerful precedent with its founding class of honorees and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Shirley MacLaine, an honor that now carries her name as the "Dance Hall of Fame Shirley MacLaine Lifetime Achievement Award." The 2025 honorees also included 10 icons of dance, including Alvin Ailey, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Misty Copeland, Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, Gene Kelly, Kenny Ortega, Jerome Robbins and Twyla Tharp.

"The worlds of music and film have long had institutions honoring their greatest talents. Now, dance finally has its own Hall of Fame, a place to recognize the creativity, courage and brilliance that define this art form," said Anita Mann, co-founder of the Dance Hall of Fame. "Establishing this institution was long overdue, and this cements Dance Hall of Fame as the permanent home dance has always deserved. We look forward to new inductees each year and sharing their legacies to educate and inspire the generations of dancers, choreographers and creators who will follow in their footsteps."

Part of the Santa Monica College of Performing Arts Center, The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage is an intimate 535-seat venue that will host what organizers promise will be another unforgettable night celebrating the artists who have shaped the language of movement. Tickets will be available starting at noon PT today on the Dance Hall of Fame website, priced at $125 for Reserved, $250 for Gala Preferred, and $500 for Gala VIP.

TheDance Hall of Fame and its distinguished 13-member board of leaders in dance, philanthropy, education and entertainment was established by founding members Mann, an Emmy-winning choreographer; seven-time Emmy-winning director Louis J. Horvitz; and dance documentarians Melinda and Kurt Soderling. Together they brought a long-overdue vision to life: a global celebration of movement, creativity and legacy. Mann and Horvitz, along with Jeff Thacker, multi-award-winning television producer and five-time Emmy Award nominee as Executive Producer of “So You Think You Can Dance” serve as executive producers of the ceremony, with the Soderlings serving as producers.

Mann has choreographed for icons including Elvis Presley, Cher, Michael Jackson, The Muppets and  the “Solid Gold” dancers and is the longtime producer of one of Las Vegas' most enduring shows, Fantasy. Horvitz, a master of live television direction, has helmed the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors, earning acclaim for shaping some of entertainment's most memorable televised moments. 

Themission of the Dance Hall of Fame Foundation 501(c)(3)

"The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation educates and engages future generations of dancers, choreographers, and creators. Grounded in the names and histories of those inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, the Foundation focuses on inspiring emerging artists; it is critical to the ongoing development of the art of dance and the strength of our global dance community that the next generation of artists feels empowered to create. The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation is committed to breaking barriers and providing the stage for dancers and choreographers to continue raising the barre."

About the Dance Hall of Fame

TheDance Hall of Fame is the first organization in history dedicated to honoring the most influential figures in dance across all genres and generations. Founded by Emmy-winning choreographer and producer Anita Mann, seven-time Emmy-winning director Louis J. Horvitz, and dance documentarians Melinda and Kurt Soderling, the Hall of Fame recognizes the artistry, innovation and cultural impact of dancers, choreographers and visionaries who have defined and advanced the world of dance. Through its annual induction ceremony, live performances and educational initiatives, the Dance Hall of Fame preserves the legacy of dance legends while inspiring future generations to move, create and dream. More information can be found on the Dance Hall of Fame website atdancehalloffame.org.

About BroadStage

BroadStage is a contemporary performing arts presenter in Santa Monica that energizes audiences and community through bold performances and personal connection. A proud partner of Santa Monica College, its primary venue is the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, home to the 535-seat Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, the intimate black box Edye and the indoor/outdoor Plaza. Under the leadership of Artistic & Executive Director Rob Bailis, BroadStage is expanding its artistic vision and venue footprint to celebrate shared humanity and the role the arts play in a diverse community, alongside educational programs for students and artists through its Artist in Residency Program, Community Field Trips and more.

Media Contacts

Stephanie Wilson | Richard Robinson

dancehof@wickedcreative.com | 702-868-4545

LOS ANGELES – Nov. 24, 2025 —For the first time in history, the world of dance will celebrate its legends. The inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, honoring the artists, innovators and visionaries who have shaped the art form and inspired generations. Honorees will be presented with a limited-edition “Music is Love” crystal heart, originally crafted by Lalique in collaboration with Sir Elton John in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The first class of inductees honors ten icons whose artistry transcends time: Alvin Ailey, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Misty Copeland, Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, Gene Kelly, Kenny Ortega, Jerome Robbins and Twyla Tharp.

The Dance Hall of Fame’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award will honor Shirley MacLaine, a legendary actress and dancer whose bold, versatile career spans film, stage and live performance. A lifelong dancer, MacLaine made her professional dancing debut in a Broadway revival of Oklahoma! in the 1950s and has built a body of work defined by physicality, precision and storytelling from her standout performances in Sweet Charity and Irma La Douce to her acclaimed Las Vegas production The Gypsy in My Soul and her celebrated stage show Shirley MacLaine on Broadway. Her illustrious career comprises more than 80 credits across stage and screen, earning six Academy Award nominations, including a win for “Best Actress” in Terms of Endearment; six Emmy Award nominations; and seven Golden Globe Awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement; and the Legion of Honor in 2011, France’s most prestigious cultural award, presented by France’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Frederic Mitterrand. She is widely known for her iconic roles in The Apartment, Steel Magnolias and other classics and is the author of ten international bestsellers. This honor recognizes MacLaine’s enduring influence as a performer whose work helped shape modern musical and cinematic dance.

Each inductee represents a defining era and influence in dance:

• Alvin Ailey: Founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey transformed modern dance with choreography rooted in African American cultural experience. His landmark masterpiece Revelations remains one of the most performed and beloved modern dance pieces in history. Through his company, school and outreach programs, Ailey broke barriers, elevated Black voices and celebrated the power of the human spirit, redefining the possibilities of movement. 

• Mikhail Baryshnikov: Widely regarded as one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, Baryshnikov’s career spans the Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. His technical mastery, emotional depth and groundbreaking performances brought ballet to mainstream audiences around the world. Beyond dance, the Academy Award and Tony Award nominee has become a cultural icon and a passionate advocate for the arts.

• Stephen “tWitch” Boss: “tWitch” studied hip-hop from an early age and grew to create a style all his own that spoke to a new generation of dancers. He rose to fame as a runner-up on Season 4 of TV’sSo You Think You Can Dance and then as a DJ and dancer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His unique style took him into the world of film with Step Up 2 and the Magic Mike franchise. He returned to SYTYCD as an All-Star, choreographer, mentor and judge. But it was through his own unique style of dance, his global presence and impact, a successful career in TV, including all social media platforms, that solidified his place in the world of hip-hop. His influence, energy, and passion helped redefine hip-hop as a form of storytelling that continues to inspire and connect across generations.

• Misty Copeland: In 2015, Copeland made history as the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Known for her artistry and athleticism, she has performed lead roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Firebird. She recently took her final bow with ABT on Oct. 22, 2025. Offstage, she continues to champion diversity and accessibility in ballet through her foundation, The Misty Copeland Foundation. She additionally founded Life in Motion Productions, a production company with a mission to expose audiences to inspiring and entertaining art and culture-based stories. In 2015, Copeland made history as the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Known for her artistry and athleticism, she has performed lead roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Firebird. She recently took her final bow with ABT on Oct. 22, 2025. Offstage, she continues to champion diversity and accessibility in ballet, using her platform to inspire and empower young dancers worldwide.

• Bob Fosse: A founder of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), Fosse remains one of the most influential figures in Broadway and film history. The only person ever to win an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award for directing in the same year, he earned eight Tony Awards overall, more than any other choreographer. His distinct, instantly recognizable style, turned-in knees, hunched shoulders, and syncopated precision, revolutionized musical theater. Through works such as Cabaret, All That Jazz,Chicago, Sweet Charity and Pippin, Fosse redefined the art form and left a legacy that continues to inspire generations of dancers and storytellers.

• Martha Graham: Named the “Dancer of the Century” in 1999 by Time Magazine, Graham was one of the great pioneers of American Dance and developed a powerful new movement vocabulary based on contraction and release. Her choreography redefined expression through dance and continues to influence generations of choreographers and performers. The Martha Graham Dance Company, founded by Graham in 1926, remains one of the world’s most respected and celebrated dance companies. 

• Gene Kelly: Kelly brought athleticism and charisma to dance in film, redefining the male dancer’s image in Hollywood musicals. Known for classics like Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, he choreographed and co-directed iconic sequences that combined cinematic innovation with timeless joy. His work forever linked dance with film as a storytelling art form. 

• Kenny Ortega: Known as The Quintessential Music Man, Ortega has directed, choreographed, and created some of the most beloved cultural touchstones of all time, including Dirty Dancing, Newsies, Hocus Pocus, and the High School Musical and The Descendants franchises, among many others. Ortega also discovered and platformed the careers of stars such as young Christian Bale, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Charlie Gillespie, among others, as well as worked with Miley Cyrus, The Cheetah Girls and The Jonas Brothers. A protégé of Gene Kelly, he began his career choreographing for music legends, including The Tubes, Elton John, Cher, Gloria Estefan, The Pointer Sisters, Gladys Knight, Fleetwood Mac and Diana Ross, before also moving into film and television. He served as Michael Jackson’s longtime creative partner and concert director, shaping some of pop’s most iconic performances and inspiring an unprecedented global community of fans of all ages throughout his career.  Ortega has been hailed as the “Billion Dollar Maestro” by Variety and, in addition to countless international accolades, has received three Emmy Awards, two Directors Guild Awards, and the prestigious Disney Legends Award.

• Jerome Robbins: A towering figure in both ballet and Broadway, Robbins’ genius extended from West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof to The King and I and Gypsy. He combined narrative precision with emotional movement, earning two Academy Awards for the film, West Side Story, in addition to four Tony Awards, five Donaldson Awards, an Emmy Award, the Screen Directors' Guild Award and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Robbins was a 1981 Kennedy Center Honors Recipient and was awarded the French Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur. Among the more than 60 ballets he created are Fancy Free, Afternoon of a Faun, The Concert, Dances at a Gathering, Glass Pieces and West Side Story Suite, which are in the repertoires of major dance companies throughout the world.  

• Twyla Tharp: A trailblazer in modern choreography, Tharp has created more than 125 works that fuse classical technique with contemporary rhythm and emotion. Her innovations have spanned ballet, Broadway and film, earning her Tony Awards, Kennedy Center Honors and a National Medal of Arts. Her approach continues to shape modern movement and performance around the world. 

The celebration will feature live performances that span the spectrum of movement, from a breathtaking piece by the Martha Graham Dance Company to a special hip-hop tribute honoring tWitch performed by the So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars. The evening will also include an homage to Fosse’s unmistakable style, a salute to tap, and a showstopping rendition of the Dirty Dancing classic “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” honoring Kenny Ortega.

The ceremony will also feature tribute messages from some of today’s most celebrated entertainment icons, including Goldie Hawn, Hugh Jackman, Kristin Chenoweth, Gloria Estefan, Bill Medley, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu and filmmaker Jon M. Chu. These messages will be incorporated throughout the program, adding a deeply personal and heartfelt dimension to the evening’s honors.

This landmark event marks a defining moment in the history of dance. Conceived by Emmy Award–winning choreographer and producer Anita Mann and seven-time Emmy-winning director and producer Louis J. Horvitz, the Dance Hall of Fame is the first institution ever created to recognize the cultural impact of dance and its greatest contributors. Together, Mann and Horvitz assembled a distinguished board of 15 leaders in dance and entertainment to bring the long-overdue vision to life: a global celebration of movement, creativity and legacy.

“The worlds of music and film have long had institutions honoring their greatest talents,” said Mann. “Now, dance finally has its own Hall of Fame; a place to recognize the creativity, courage and brilliance that define this art form. It’s a privilege to honor these legends who have moved us all, both literally and emotionally.”

Mann and Horvitz, along with Jeff Thacker, five-time Emmy-nominated executive producer of  So You Think You Can Dance, are serving as executive producers of the event. A five-time Emmy nominee, Mann has choreographed for icons including Elvis Presley, Cher, Michael Jackson and The Muppets. Her choreography has appeared on The Academy Awards, Solid Gold and The Miss America Pageant, and she is the longtime producer of one of Las Vegas' most enduring shows, Fantasy. Horvitz, a master of live television direction, has helmed the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors, earning acclaim for shaping many of entertainment’s most memorable televised moments.

The Clear Crystal Heart awards, generously donated to the Dance Hall of Fame Foundation by Lalique, were handcrafted at the Lalique factory in Alsace, France, by passionate and skilled artisans. The design of the heart draws from the iconic Tourbillons vase, a signature Lalique creation, while the treble clef inside the heart is directly inspired by Sir Elton John.

More than a ceremony, the Dance Hall of Fame represents a milestone through an enduring tribute to those whose movements have changed the world and whose legacies will continue to inspire generations to come. The mission of the Dance Hall of Fame Foundation (501c3 pending) is as follows: “The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation educates and engages future generations of dancers, choreographers, and creators. Grounded in the names and histories of those inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, the Foundation focuses on inspiring emerging artists; it is critical to the ongoing development of the art of dance and the strength of our global dance community that the next generation of artists feels empowered to create. The Dance Hall of Fame Foundation is committed to breaking barriers and providing the stage for dancers and choreographers to continue raising the barre.”

About The Dance Hall of Fame The Dance Hall of Fame is the first organization in history dedicated to honoring the most influential figures in dance across all genres and generations. Founded by Emmy Award-winning choreographer and producer Anita Mann and seven-time Emmy-winning director Louis J. Horvitz, the Hall of Fame recognizes the artistry, innovation and cultural impact of dancers, choreographers and visionaries who have defined and advanced the world of dance. Through its annual induction ceremony, live performances and educational initiatives, the Dance Hall of Fame preserves the legacy of dance legends while inspiring future generations to move, create and dream. More information can be found on the Dance Hall of Fame website at dancehalloffameofficial.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

42 WEST, danceHOF@42west.com

Stephanie Wilson/Richard Robinson, Wicked Creative: dancehof@wickedcreative.com / 702.868.4545